AU Instrumental Ensembles Close Fall Music Events

The Department of Music at Ashland University concludes the fall semester featuring its instrumentalists with performances at the student chamber ensembles recital and the Winter Festival Band Concert. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

On Tuesday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, several student chamber ensembles perform including the saxophone ensemble under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, as well as brass, string and percussion ensembles instructed by Michael Metcalf, Jane Reed and Jeffrey Neitzke, respectively. Mr. Neitzke also leads a jazz combo which will perform.

On Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre, the Winter Festival Band Concert will present the Ashland University Wind Ensemble directed by Gary Ciulla, Ashland University Director of Bands, and the Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) under the direction of Leonard Salvo.

The Ashland University Wind Ensemble is comprised of the outstanding wind and percussion players at the University and from the community.  The ensemble begins Saturday's concert with Ralph Vaughan Williams' English Folk Song Suite followed by Samuel Hazo's "Whisper to Their Souls" which is based on "Greensleeves," and Robert Sheldon's collection of Irish street ballads, "Longford Legend." The Wind Ensemble closes their portion of the program with "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson.

After a brief intermission, the 65-member Ashland Area Community Concert Band takes the stage. Established in 1993, the ensemble is designed for both university students and members of the Ashland community to continue their musical study and creative activity. The Community Band's program begins with Clare Grundman's lovely and robust medley of sailing songs including "Hornet and Peacock," "Lowlands," "What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailer?" and "Rio Grande;" and is followed by Jan Van der Roost's "Rikudim" which includes four Israeli folk dances. Their program also includes Sousa's "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine," Holst's "In the Bleak Midwinter," and concludes with Sheldon's "A Most Wonderful Christmas."