AU Music Begins New Year with Thomas Reed's 31st Faculty Recital

The Department of Music at Ashland University announces its first recital of the new academic year with the celebration of Dr. Thomas Reed's 31st annual faculty recital on Sunday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts. 

For his 31st consecutive annual recital, Dr. Reed will perform on clarinet and saxophone with fellow musicians Susan Gregg, piano; Scott Garlock, trombone; Jane Reed, violin; Lanny Gooding, piano; Paul Martin, bass; and Steve Berry, drums.

His program will include an eclectic collection from his transcription of Tchaikovsky's Serenade Melancolique, op. 26; to Leonard Berstein's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano and Paquito D'Rivera's Contradanza. The program continues with Dr. Reed's arrangement of George Gershwin's Promenade (Walkin' the Dog), Golden and Hubbell's Poor Butterfly, I Have Waited So Longby Sarah Vaughan, Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and concludes with Duke Ellington's Ring Dem Bells.

40th Madrigal Feaste Tickets on Sale Sept. 28

Tickets for the 40th Annual Madrigal Feaste go on sale to the public on Monday, Sept. 28 at 12 p.m. 

Patrons are reminded that this is a very popular event and the box office will be incredibly busy. For immediate service, the box office recommends that patrons come to the box office window located in the lobby of Hugo Young Theatre at the corner of College Avenue and Grant Street or order online at www.ashland.edu/tickets (additional fees apply for online orders). Patrons can also call the box office at 419.289.5125, but phone lines are expected to be busy. Discounted tickets for children can only be purchased directly through the box office and not online.

Ashland University Department of Music produces the annual Madrigal Feaste, which is slated for Wednesday through Sunday, Dec. 2-6, 2015. All performances begin at 6:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall. For the 40th celebration, the event promises some special surprises and guest performers from the past 40 years.

Directed by Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities, the Madrigal Feaste is a dinner theater based in 16th-century England with constant entertainment provided throughout the evening. The Ashland University Chamber Singers perform ceremonial music, Christmas carols and madrigals while the Madrigal Players present a new comedic play along with improvisational theatrics. Fanfare trumpeters, the Court Jester and Butler round out the cast for the event. Performer costumes are designed as authentic reproductions of period apparel; and the four-course meal culminates in flaming bread pudding.

The 2015 Madrigal Feaste Chamber Singers feature Abbie Brady, Deric Dove, Darion Dow, Gracie Fumic, Elisha Hofer, Grace Keller, Danny Lawson, Jacob Markley, Seth Morrison, Sarah Napier, Jacob Poiner, Danielle Rhonemus, Jake Riley, Corey Turpin, Tyler Watson and Hannah Wise. Zack Lindesmith will serve as the Jester leading his cast of players, including Natalyn Baisden, Logan Baker, Andrea Disch and Eryn Tramel.

Tickets for the event are $26 for adults; $15 for children under 12; and $23 for groups of 10 or more. A special $11 ticket is available to Ashland University students for the Wednesday performance only. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request at the time of ticket purchase. Due to preparation of meals, tickets are not available at the door.