Annual Festival of Lights Service, 12/8

Ashland University will officially begin its observance of the holiday season with the 29th annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 8 in Ashland University’s Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, located at the intersection of King Road and College Avenue.

The 7 p.m. candlelight service, which is free and open to the public, symbolizes Christ coming into the world. The story is communicated in verse and song. It will include Scripture readings by Rob and Kim Pool, traditional carols, and seasonal choral music by the Ashland University Choir and Women’s Chorus, and the Ashland Area Chorus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The Ashland University Choir is under the direction of Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music, while Elizabeth Slade directs the Ashland Area Chorus and Deborah Logan, the Women’s Chorus. Dr. Timothy Guenther, Susan Gregg and Jedidiah McFadden will accompany the choirs on organ and piano.

Musical selections will feature original works and settings of carols by a variety of composers including Duruflé, Praetorius, Purifoy, Vivaldi, Culloton, and Stopford.

Winter Band Concert Showcases a World Premiere & Xylophone Soloist

The Department of Music presents its annual Winter Festival Band Concert on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. Under the direction of Joseph Lewis, Jr., the concert will feature the Ashland University Symphonic Band and the Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB). The concert will offer a program of classic compositions for concert band along with some holiday favorites. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Ashland University Symphonic Band is comprised of the outstanding wind and percussion players at the University. The ensemble's program will showcase guest percussionist Elizabeth Procopio on xylophone as she joins the Symphonic Band on Floyd Werle's The Golden Age of the Xylophone. The Band will also perform the World Premiere of Dr. Stefan Swanson's (Visiting Assistant Professor of Music) Women of World War II. This portion of the concert will also include performances of Sousa's Semper Fidelis March and Morton Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium.

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 a Spanish Pasodoble Amparito Roca and an arrangement of Holst's In the Bleak Midwinter. The program will also feature pieces with guest conductors Dave Wolbert, retired Ashland City Schools music teacher, and Sean DeLong, Band Director at Ontario Local Schools. The program will conclude with a sing along of many Christmas favorites.

TubaChristmas Returns to Ashland on Dec. 7

The local holiday favorite TubaChristmas returns to Ashland University's Hugo Young Theatre on Saturday, December 7 at Noon. The concert is free and open to the public and invites area tuba, euphonium and baritone players to perform. Musician registration will begin at 10 a.m. followed by a rehearsal at 10:20 a.m.

In addition to the volunteer performers, the event also showcases a "Celebrity Tubist" which this year is going to be a surprise guest and will be revealed by Dr. Scott Garlock, the event organizer, at the concert.

TubaChristmas is an idea conceived by Harvey Phillips, Professor of Tuba at Indiana University. Mr. Phillips wanted to demonstrate to the public what a beautiful sound a mass ensemble of tubas and euphoniums could make and to provide an opportunity for fellow low brass players to celebrate the season with the community. TubaChristmas is dedicated to the memory of Mr. William J. Bell.  It’s a fun, holiday tradition that the whole family can enjoy.

The registration fee for participating musicians is $10 and includes a 2019 TubaChristmas button. The TubaChristmas carol book is also available for $20.

For more information, contact Professor of Music Dr. Scott Garlock at 419.289.5134 or sgarlock@ashland.edu

Holiday Jazz Concert, Dec. 5

The Ashland University Department of Music will present an Ashland University Jazz Concert on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 pm in Hugo Young Theatre. The concert is free and open to the public.

Under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock, the concert will offer pre-concert music from the Lost and Profound jazz combo with Jared Metz on alto saxophone; Ariane Hill, flute, Alex Trotter, vibes; Torin Dunn, guitar; Alex Kwan, piano; Jackson Schultz, bass and Molly Winnard, drums.

The 4th annual AUJO Alumni Big Band will rehearse prior to the concert beginning at 6 p.m. for anyone who is interested in playing in the concert. They will perform selections beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra's (AUJO) program of jazz standards and holiday favorites including Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, O Tannenbaum and Let It Snow.

The 2019-2020 AUJO roster includes saxophonists Jacob Moses, Logan O'Lasky, Hannah Smigel, Ariane Hill and Erika Wright; Nick Lawwill, Branden Barber, Nathan Roblin and Jacob Bodnar on trumpet; trombonists Luke Blackley, Colette Mooney, Eric Watts and Emily Schordock on mellophone; while the rhythm section consists of Moriah Goldsmith on piano, Susie Alley on bass, guitarist Torin Dunn, Molly Willard on drums and vocalist Alli Lange.

AUJO will have their holiday CD recording "AUJOy to the World" featuring vocals by Cathi Muckle available for purchase at the concert at $10 each.

Clarinets, Flutes, Brass & Strings Perform, 12/4

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., several student ensembles will perform in a joint recital including a clarinet trio and the Flute Loops Jazz Combo under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, a brass ensemble directed by Joseph Lewis Jr. and a string ensemble directed by Jane Reed. The concert is free and open to the public.

Fall Honors Recital Performers Announced

The best of Fall 2019 will be showcased at the Honors Recital on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their talents as selected by their private teachers including:

VOCALISTS: Sami Eron, Lila Hyatt, Maya Rickard, Alayna Ross, Katie Snell, Rebecca Young

INSTRUMENTALISTS: Kailyn Buyok (violin), Ariane Hill (flute), Jed McFadden (piano/violin)

Percussion Ensemble Perfoms New Works, 11/25

On Monday, Nov. 25, at 7:30 p.m. under the direction of Liz Procopio, the AU Percussion Ensemble will present a concert of all contemporary works by modern composers including Music for Pieces of Wood by Steve Reich, In C by Terry Riley, and selections of Living Room Music by John Cage. In addition, the ensemble will perform the World Premieres of new works by AU composition studio students. The concert is free and open to the public.

AU Madrigal Feaste Featured in Beacon Journal

2017 AU Madrigal Singers

In the Thursday, Nov. 14 edition of the Akron Beacon Journal, an article was published about Area groups keep madrigal dinner custom alive. Ashland University's Madrigal Feaste was recognized with the following section:

Longtime feast 

For longevity, the Ashland University Feaste, started in 1976 by late choral director Calvin Rogers, takes the prize. The school’s 44th annual event will run before Thanksgiving this year, for five shows at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20-24 in Redwood Hall, 1005 King Road. 

Led by choral director Rowland Blackley, the 17-member Chamber Singers perform ceremonial music, Christmas carols and madrigals based in Elizabethan England. Music includes “The Boarshead Carol,” “Gloucestershire Wassail” and a final “Silent Night” by candlelight.

“I inherited this as a strong traditional event,” said Blackley, who performed in Kent State’s madrigal feasts when he was a graduate student. 

The Madrigal Players also will offer a comedic play and improvisation. Rounding out the cast will be fanfare trumpeters, the court jester, butler and serving wenches. Each night, the four-course meal by the university’s in-house catering service culminates with flaming bread pudding. 

While other Northeast Ohio feasts have fallen by the wayside over the years, AU’s has continued because it keeps its costs down by keeping all of the work in-house, from food to costumes to servers from the choral program. 

The players offer a 15-minute skit that Blackley described as “fractured fairytales.” The jester and his troupe interact with guests during dinner, and the royal court serenades tableside. 

Tickets cost $28 for adults or $18 for children under 12. Children’s tickets can only be purchased directly through the box office at 419-289-5125. For adult tickets, see www.ashland.edu/tickets or call the box office. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Read about the other feasts throughout Northeast Ohio here.

PANdemonium4 Flute Quartet Performs 11/8

Ashland University Department of Music presents a guest artist recital featuring the Ohio-based flute quartet, PANdemonium4, on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert program will feature contemporary pieces by composers from Ohio, across the U.S. as well as France including an arrangement of the top rock anthem from the American heavy metal band Metallica. The concert is free and open to the public.

This highly talented quartet of teacher-performer professionals represents a diverse group of Ohio universities through their teaching (Capital University, Mariettta College, Ohio University, Otterbein University, West Virginia University), along with a substantial listing of symphonies and chamber ensembles from their performances around the state and beyond (Ashland Symphony Orchestra, Central Ohio Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Westerville Symphony, Mansfield Symphony, Austin (TX) Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Hawaii and Honolulu Symphonies, West Virginia Symphony, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Famous Jazz Orchestra, Breckenridge Music Festival Chamber Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble).

Dr. Kimberlee Goodman, Lindsey Goodman, Lisa Jelle and Alison Brown Sincoff share a mutual passion for promoting all things flute in central Ohio and impacting the global future of chamber music collaborations within the setting of the quartet. They formed PANdemonium4 in 2016, and have performed at two National Flute Association Annual Conventions and in seven different states. They released their first studio recording titled Bolling & Beyond: Lisa Jelle, Jazz-Inspired Flute. Mark Flugge Remembered.

For their concert in Ashland, they will be joined by percussionist Liz Procopio and bassist Jeremey Poparad who are also teaching-performer professionals while teaching in their discipline at Ashland University. They will assist PANdemonium on Mark Flugge's Jazz Fantasy for Flute Quartet with optional bass and percussion in three movements (Ahmad, The Letter, Samba Fantasy).

Other pieces in the program include Daniel Dorff's Musetta Steps Out which is based on "Musetta's Waltz" from Puccini's La Bohème, Eugene Bozza's Jour d'été à la montagne, Cynthia Folio's Four 'Scapes (Cityscape, Seascape, Landscape, Escape), Linda Kernohan's My Compass Still to Guide Me, and Nicole Chamberlin's arrangement of Metallica's Enter Sandman.

Senior Recital: Samantha Eron, Soprano

Music and political science major Samantha Eron (Brighton, Michigan) will perform her senior vocal recital on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. She will be accompanied by pianist Deborah Logan and fellow soprano Rebecca Young. Her program will include classical pieces by Debussy, Mozart along with operetta and musical theatre compositions by Menotti, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Music & Theatre Spring 2020 Electives

The Departments of Music and Theatre are offering three elective courses (non-core/no prerequisites) in the Spring 2020 semester including:

• Music Technology with Dr. Stefan Swanson, MWF at 2 p.m.
• Acting for the Camera with Robert Sean Parker, TTh at 1:40 p.m. 
• Arts Management with Tricia Applegate, TTh at 9:25 a.m. 

Sounds of the Stadium Concert, 11/2

The Ashland University Department of Music presents the Sounds of the Stadium concert featuring the Ashland University Eagle Marching Band under the direction of Joseph Lewis, Jr., Director of Bands, on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. in Kates Gymnasium. The concert is free and open to the public.

The 2019 Eagle Marching Band will perform selections from their halftime shows including music from Imagine Dragons, The Millenial Show, Toto, The Halloween Show, and others along with other Ashland University traditional favorites. The color guard and feature twirlers will also perform at this concert which will be inside Kates Gymnasium away from inclement weather.

Mamma Mia! Auditions on Monday, 10/28

Ashland University Theatre will hold auditions for its Spring 2020 musical on Monday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre as follows:

MAMMA MIA!
Music and Lyrics by Benny Andersson
and Björn Ulvaeus
Book by Catherine Johnson
Originally Conceived by Judy Craymer

Prepare 16-32 bars of a song in the style of the show, an accompanist will be provided
Roles available for 6 women & 6 men & chorus
Dance Audition & Call-backs: Oct. 29 & 30, 6:30 p.m., Hugo Young Theatre
Performances: Feb. 14-22, Hugo Young Theatre

Fall Choral Concert, Oct. 27

The Ashland University Choir, Women's Chorus and the Ashland Area Chorus present a fall choral concert with an eclectic program centered around the theme of hope, happiness and security including Handel's "Sing unto God," Duruflé’s Requiem along with the Irish folk song "The Parting Glass" as sung by The Wailin’ Jennys and much more. The concert will be held on Sunday, October 27 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel and is free and open to the public.

Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, will conduct the University Choir with accompaniment by Dr. Timothy Guenther. Their portion of the program will include“San’bonani,” a traditional IsiZulu welcome song arranged by Michael Barrett; the festive music of Lloyd Pfautsch and the joyful poetry of Joseph Addison together in the choral fanfare “Consecrate the Place and Day;” and “Behold, How Good” by Michael John Trotta.

The program continues with Jake Runestad's “Please Stay” which is a simple but dramatic piece that was commissioned by a consortium of Ohio universities including Ashland University; along with a motet imploring God’s peace by the Baroque composer Heinrich Schütz; Handel's “Sing unto God;” and the upbeat traditional spiritual “Walk Together, Children” arranged by Moses Hogan.

Directed by Deborah Logan and accompanied by Susan Gregg, the Women's chorus' selections will include Douglas Wagner's arrangement of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Linden Lea;" "As the Rain Hides the Stars" by Elaine Hagenberg; and the Irish folk song "The Parting Glass" as sung by The Wailin’ Jennys.

For the Ashland Area Chorus, director Elizabeth Slade has selected Maurice Duruflé's Requiem. Written for a solo voice, mixed choir, and organ, the Requiem's thematic material is mostly taken from the Mass for the Dead in Gregorian chant.

Jazz at the Nest, 10/15

Led by Dr. Scott Garlock, Professor of Music, the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will present a free public concert Tuesday, Oct.15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Eagles Nest at the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, 1010 King Road.

Audience members are welcome to grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music in the venue’s relaxed, club-like atmosphere.

The concert will offer an eclectic mix of old and new arrangements including Kahn and Jones' It Had to Be You, an arrangement of Danny Boy by Paul Ferguson, Nat King Cole's Straighten Up and Fly Right, Semi-Mental Journey by Brown and Homer, and Benny Carter's Vine Street Rumble.

The 2019-20 AUJO roster includes saxophonists Jacob Moses, Logan O'Lasky, Hannah Smigel, Ariane Hill and Erika Wright; Nick Lawwill, Branden Barber, Nathan Roblin and Jacob Bodnar on trumpet; trombonists Luke Blackley, Colette Mooney, Eric Watts and Emily Schordock on mellophone; while the rhythm section consists of Moriah Goldsmith on piano, Susie Alley on bass, guitarist Torin Dunn, Molly Willard on drums and vocalist Alli Lange.

Junior Recital: Kendra Garver, mezzo-soprano

Junior music education major Kendra Garver, mezzo-soprano, will present her student recital on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. A graduate of Triway High School, Kendra studies voice with Kimberly States and will be accompanied by Deb Logan (piano). Her program will include classical pieces by Mozart, Strauss, and Martini, along with musical theatre compositions by Gilbert and Sullivan and Andrew Lloyd Webber, as well as a Mexican folk song. The concert is free and open to the public.

Festival of Marching Bands, 9/28

The 1st Annual Ashland University Festival of Marching Bands will be held in Jack Miller Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. featuring the Ashland University Marching Band under the direction of Joseph Lewis, Jr. Several area high school bands will also perform including Ashland, Crestview, Canton Central Catholic and Western Reserve. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening will begin with a combined performance of the Star-Spangled Banner with all the participating bands. After that, each band will perform their individual show. The evening will culminate in a final performance given by the Ashland University Band and combined performances of a few marching band favorites. There will be concessions available throughout the event.

Madrigal Feaste Tickets On Sale, 9/23

Tickets for the 44th Annual Madrigal Feaste go on sale to the public on Monday, September 23 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 order online at www.ashland.edu/tickets (additional fees apply for online orders). Patrons can also come to the box office window located in the lobby of Hugo Young Theatre at the corner of College Avenue and Grant Street or call the box office at 419.289.5125. Discounted tickets for children 12 and under 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, November 20 - 24 which is before Thanksgiving this year. All performances begin at 6:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall.

Directed by Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities, the Madrigal Feaste is a dinner theater based in sixteenth-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, Butler and Wenches round out the cast. Performer costumes are designed as authentic reproductions of period apparel; and the four-course meal culminates in flaming bread pudding.

The 2019 Madrigal Feaste Chamber Singers feature Ethan Tingler and Sami Eron as the King and Queen, along with the members of their royal court including J. Ethan Bedocs, Drew Berlin, Kendra Garver, Maggie George, Mark Gorsuch, Marty Gorsuch, Samantha Gross, Logan Hurst, Karli Ingle, Alli Lange, Jed McFadden, Jenna Niedermier, Matthew Plumb, Nathan Roblin and Rebecca Young. Nik Demers will serve as the Jester leading his cast of Players.

Tickets for the event are $28 for adults; $25 for groups of 10 or more; and $18 for children under 12. A special $13 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.

Annual Parade of Bands This Sunday

The annual Parade of Bands at the Ashland County Fair will be held this Sunday, Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Grandstand. This community-favorite event will kickoff with the Ashland University Marching Band under the direction of Joseph Lewis, Jr., Director of Bands, and will also feature performances by all of the area high school marching bands.

Community Band Begins Fall Rehearsals, Sep. 10

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) begins its twenty-seventh season with its weekly rehearsals on Tuesday, Sep. 10 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Center for the Arts' Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. Under the co-direction of Ashland University Director of Bands Joseph Lewis, Jr., and Dave Wolbert, AACCB is for those that loved playing in band in high school or college and want the opportunity to play again. Performances for the ensemble this fall include a performance at the University with the Ashland University Symphonic Band on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m..

Open to all adults and high school students with the permission of the ensemble's director, requirements for AACCB membership are the ability to play a wind or percussion instrument (no need to be a virtuoso); an interest in playing for enjoyment; desire to play a wide variety of music for the public; an interest in meeting new people who share a common interest and availability for rehearsals on Tuesday evenings.

A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office via phone at 419.289.5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets by clicking on the "Buy Single Tickets" icon.

For further information, contact Joe Lewis at jlewisjr@ashland.edu or 419.289.5132.

Ashland Area Chorus Begins Rehearsals, 8/26

The Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), under the direction of Libby Moore Slade, announces their fall schedule including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 26, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts.

Founded by Dr. Rowland Blackley in 1998, the AAC is dedicated to a mission of learning great music and singing it beautifully. The chorus is open to all singers from Ashland and surrounding counties and includes Ashland University faculty, staff and students as well as other singers from the wider community. Though no formal audition is required for membership, AAC members must be pitch accurate (sing 'on key') and be able to learn and perform their parts successfully. Previous choral experience is helpful.

Membership in AAC is open to all adults. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble's director. A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in the ensemble for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office online at www.ashland.edu/tickets by clicking on the "Buy Single Tickets" icon.

For further information, contact the Chorus’ director Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460.

Reed Busy Performing Throughout NE Ohio

Dr. Thomas Reed, professor of Music and chair of the Music and Theatre Departments, has given a number of performances in recent months. 

• Played saxophone with the Cleveland Orchestra in performances of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" at Blossom Music Center July 5 and 6.
• Performed as Assistant Principal Clarinet with the Blossom Festival Band on July 3 and 4. 
• On June 29 he played saxophone with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. 
• In May and June he played clarinet and saxophone in the Cleveland Orchestra's performances of the film score to "An American in Paris" at Severance Hall.
• And played Bass Clarinet with the Akron Symphony in the concert version of "West Side Story." 
• In March, he performed as Principal Clarinet with the Akron Symphony in Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and works by Korngold and Adams.
• Performed on the CD "Blue is More Than a Color," by Youngstown State University faculty member Dave Morgan. On the CD Reed plays baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, and is clarinet soloist on the song "Coisa Nova." The CD is available on Spotify and iTunes.

Blackley to Conduct Annual "Pops in the Park"

The Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell at Ashland City's Brookside Park will host its annual "Pops in the Park" concert by the Ashland Symphony Orchestra  and Ashland Area Chorus on Sunday, June 30 at 8 p.m. 

Under the direction of Dr. Ron Blackley, audience members will have the chance to sing along to popular movie musical numbers from “Mamma Mia!,” “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman.” The concert will also include several patriotic pieces in honor of Independence Day including the “Armed Forces Salute,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “America the Beautiful” and two marches by John Philip Sousa: “Semper Fidelis” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The symphony will bring back the “1812 Overture” featuring mock cannon fire from Civil War Battery D from the 1st Ohio Light Artillery. Audience members will be provided with paper bags and sparklers to set off during the performance as well.

From 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., ASO’s instrument petting zoo will be open to participants of all ages
interested in learning about different musical instruments.

Freewill donations will be collected during the performance which will benefit both the ASO and Band Shell.

In the event of inclement weather the concert will be moved to Ashland High School’s Archer
Auditorium at 8 p.m.

Salvo to Conduct His Final Community Band Concert

On Sunday evening, Leonard Salvo will take the baton for the final time, leading the Ashland Area Community Concert Band that he formed 26 years ago for the annual Father’s Day show at the Guy C. Myers Band Shell.

Signifying the end of an era, the band’s new leaders — Joseph Lewis, the director of bands at Ashland University, and Dave Wolbert, who teaches music at Ashland High School — also will conduct a couple of numbers on Sunday.

The Father’s Day concert will open the Band Shell’s Summer Concert Series. The show will start at 6 p.m. with family-friendly favorite, the Magic of Eli, followed by the Ashland Area Community Concert Band at 8 p.m.

“The thing I’m going to miss most is the interaction I have with folks in the group,” Salvo said. “Some people have been in the group 26 years. So they’re friends, basically.”

Sunday’s band concert will include lighter pieces, such as selections from “West Side Story” and “Mary Poppins Returns,” along with a personal piece for Salvo, called “Pride of the Peninsula.”

The march was written by Salvo’s college professor, Thomas Tyra, at Eastern Michigan University, where Salvo earned his bachelor’s degree in music education.

“I just want to have something in the last concert that was personal to me,” Salvo said. “He was one of my mentors. He recommended me for all the jobs I got.” 

--Times-Gazette

RSVP's Being Accepted for 1st Annual Marching Band Festival

This is an open invitation to the first annual Ashland University Festival of Bands to be held in Jack Miller Stadium on the campus of Ashland University. The event will be held on Saturday, Sep. 28 starting at 7 p.m. This is not an OMEA sanctioned or competitive event.

The evening will begin with a combined performance of the Star-Spangled Banner with all the participating bands. After that, each band will have approximately 10-15 minutes to perform their show. The evening will culminate in a final performance given by the Ashland University Eagle Marching Band and combined performances of a few marching band favorites. There will be concessions available throughout the event and the hope is to get some good film/audio of each performance.

Please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible via the information below if you can participate! It is sure to be a great performance and a good time for all. I do hope you will be able to attend.

Joe Lewis
Director of Bands, Ashland University
email: jlewisjr@ashland.edu
phone: 419.289.5132

Sing with AAC & ASO for Independence Day

The Ashland Area Chorus, a non-auditioned mixed choir of 40-60 participants, invites local singers to join them for the short summer session and to perform with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. The 4-week rehearsal schedule begins on June 3 and continues for four consecutive Mondays including: June 3, 10, 17, 24. Each rehearsal is from 7-8:30 p.m. at Ashland University in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts (formerly the Arts and Humanities building). The session will conclude on Sunday, June 30 with a live performance of light, popular, and patriotic tunes with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra for the Pops In the Park concert at Brookside Park Band Shell.

The Chorus is open to the entire Ashland community and beyond, with previous singers travelling from Richland, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, and Crawford counties. Previous choral experience is helpful and encouraged. While there are no strict age limits, singers under 18 must be approved by the director. There is no cost to the singer for the summer session.

The AAC performs in several concerts each year on the AU campus and with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. Recent appearances have included a stand-alone presentation of the Dvořák Mass in D Minor, subscription concerts with the ASO (including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah), Ashland University choral concerts (including Handel's Messiah and the Brahms Requiem) and summer pops concerts in the park.

Current members should encourage their talented friends and neighbors to attend the first summer rehearsal to join this unique community opportunity. For further information, please contact the AU Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Ron Blackley, at rblackle@ashland.edu or (419) 289-5114. Or, simply show up on June 3.

Guard Tryouts, June 6

Ashland University Music announces that Guard Tryouts for Marching Band will be held on June 6 at 2 p.m. (following the orientation events for that day). We will meet in the band room and go from there.

QUESTIONS? Contact:
Joe Lewis, Director of Bands, Ashland University
jlewisjr@ashland.edu | 419.289.5132

Choir Touring to Chicago

All alumni and friends of Ashland University are cordially invited to attend one of the University Choir's upcoming concerts as they travel close to you. The 2019 tour presents concerts scheduled at various churches and high schools in central Ohio and northern Indiana. The following performances are free and open to the public.

Monday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.
Oak Chapel Methodist Church, 4203 W. Old Lincoln Way
Wooster, OH | 330.264.2537

Tuesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.
Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 35 E. Stanton Avenue
Columbus, OH | 614.885.4319

Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 p.m.
Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 N. Campbell Street
Valparaiso, IN | 219.462.6660

Under the direction of Dr. Rowland Blackley, the 2019 tour program includes pieces by contemporary composers Morten Lauridsen, Don MacDonald, Shawn Kirchner, and Stacey Gibbs along with those of Mendelssohn, Bruckner, Britten, and Mozart. The AU Chamber Singers will contribute madrigals from the Renaissance and more popular charts from the 20th and 21st centuries. Selections from Haydn's “Little Organ Mass” round out the program. There’s something for every choral taste!

The choirs are accompanied by Dr. Timothy E. Guenther, University Organist and Director of Music Ministry at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ohio. He teaches applied organ and harpsichord, as well as courses in fundamentals of basic musicianship, and serves as accompanist as needed for the University Choir, Chamber Singers, and Ashland Area Chorus. He holds degrees in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, the University of Alabama and The American Conservatory of Music.

The University Choir is composed of singers representing many academic majors across campus. Each year the members are selected by private audition and rehearse three days a week. The ensemble performs programs of unaccompanied literature of all eras as well as major works with orchestra.

Spring Band Concert, April 28

Ashland University Department of Music presents its final band concert of the 2018-2019 academic year on Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre with the annual Spring Band Concert. Admission to the concert is free and open to all.

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) under the direction of Leonard Salvo, and the Ashland University Symphonic Band directed by Joseph Lewis, Jr., will perform a program themed "At Home and Abroad" as it features compositions from various cultures from American marches and a southern hymn to English and Korean folk songs as well as a fiesta. The event will also recognize the senior AU Band members for their dedication and contribution to the AU Band program.

Although the AACCB will perform Ralph Vaughan Williams' Folk Songs from Somerset which is the last movement of his "English Folk Song Suite" -- the remaining pieces are American based including Chorale and Shaker Dance with variations of the well-known Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts;" Samuel Hazo's Southern Hymn; and American We, one of Henry Filmore's most well-known marches. Guest conductor Dave Wolbert will lead the band in a performance of selections from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.

The University Symphonic Band will present an international program beginning with Clifton Williams Latin themed Symphonic Dance No. 3, Fiesta followed by Williams' Sea Songs, W. Francis McBeth's Israel influenced Kaddish and John Barnes Chance's Variations on a Korean Folk Song. The concert will continue with a performance of Pavel Tschesnekoff's Salvation is Created dedicated to the memory of former AU Director of Bands Mr. Gary Ciulla. Professor Emeritus Salvo will then be the guest conductor for Julius Fucik's The Florentiner, Grande Marcia Italiana, and the program will conclude with Olympiada by Hazo.

Spring Choral Concert, April 28

The Ashland University Choir, Chamber Singers and Women's Chorus present their final choral concert of the 2018-2019 academic year on Sunday, April 28 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. From Mozart to the Beatles and Pentatonix, the concert program celebrates the coming of spring and offers a preview of the University Choir's upcoming tour to Chicago. The concert is free and open to the public.

Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, will conduct the University Choir in a performance of Benjamin Britten's Time from “Choral Dance from Gloriana,” along with the Kenyan folk song Wana Baraka, Mendelssohn's The Hundredth Psalm and Jack Halloran's arrangement of Witness.

The Chamber Singers, also directed by Dr. Blackley, will perform Penny Lane (as performed by the King's Singers), Ysaye M. Barnwell's Wanting Memories, I Had No Time to Hate by Nathan Howe with poetry by Emily Dickinson, and Swingle's arrangement of Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik.

Directed by Ashland University alumna Julie Strebler-Renner and accompanied by Susan Gregg, the Women's chorus' selections include Brian Tate's Hold Me, Rock Me; Light in the Hallway (as performed by the Pentatonix); the traditional Irish folk song Bandyrowe; and Yonder Come Day, a traditional Georgia Sea Islands melody.

Fairy Tales, Comedy & Tragedy at 2019 Opera Scenes

Every spring the Ashland University Department of Music offers audience members a chance to experience live opera through a variety of scenes from a collection of well-known titles. In 2019, the two evenings of opera scenes will be performed on Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the intimate Studio Theatre at Ashland University. The performances are free and open to the public.

The variety of this year's scenes range from a fairy tale to comedies and a tragedy with many of them featuring story lines of love and romance. One similarity among all four of the operas is the idea of hidden and mistaken identities or masks. Also, all four of these operas are written by well-known composers (Mozart, Verdi, Strauss, and Humperdinck) and their titles (The Marriage of Figaro, La traviata, Die Fledermaus, Hansel and Gretel, respectively) are cornerstones of the opera world.

Based on the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale, Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel is associated with the holidays and is often performed around Christmas. The Ashland performance will feature the opening scene where Hansel and Gretel are at their home and Hansel becomes very hungry. We all know what that leads to.

Several songs will be performed from Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus (aka The Revenge of the Bat) which is a story of mistaken identities, flirtations at a masked ball, elegant frivolities and confusions of all kinds. Our cast will perform "The Drinking Song" duet, Orlovsky’s aria, "Meir Herr Marquis" and "Sing to Love."

W. A. Mozart's comic opera The Marriage of Figaro tells the story of how the servants, Figaro and Susanna, taught their employer a lesson in fidelity and then succeeded in getting married. Selections from this comedy will include "Porgi Amor," "Voi che sapete" and "Sull’aria."

The most serious of the evenings' opera scenes will come from Giuseppe Verdi's tragedy, La traviata (The Fallen Women). However, the song selection for Ashland's opera scenes is one of the lighter moments of the story as the ensemble performs "The Brindisi," the opera's famous drinking song and one of the best-known opera melodies.

Under the direction of Sandra Ross and accompaniment by pianist Deb Logan, this annual event features vocal performances from student singers. This year's cast includes Drew Berlin (Barberton), Kendra Garver (Shreve), Maggie George (Independence), Mia Kardotzke (Clyde), Maya Rickard (Wooster), Dave Tomlinson (Cleveland) and Rebecca Young (Sherwood, Oregon).

Brass, Jazz, String & Woodwind Ensembles Recital, Apr. 23

On Tuesday, Apr. 23 at 8 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, several student ensembles will perform in a joint recital including a jazz combo, woodwind, brass and string ensembles under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, Joseph Lewis, Jr., and Jane Reed, respectively. The concert is free and open to the public.

Jazz at the Nest Returns Apr. 16

On Tuesday, Apr. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Eagles Nest located in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) will perform in a club-like atmosphere where audience members can grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music. 

The Monday Madness Jazz Combo will provide pre-concert music beginning at 7 p.m. with Michaela Wood (flute), Jared Metz (saxophone), Alex Kwan (piano), Torin Dunn (guitar), and Molly Willard (drums).

AUJO's portion of the program will offer an eclectic mix of old and new arrangements including Belly Roll by Quincy Jones, Wind Machine by Sammy Nestico, The Chicken by Pee Wee Ellis, Backyard Blues by Matt Harris, Big Dipper by Thad Jones and many more.

The AUJO roster includes saxophonists Michael Spalding, Jacob Moses, Lauren DeBracy, Erika Wright and Ariane Hill; Nick Lawwill, Branden Barber, Jennifer Wigton and Nathan Roblin on trumpet; trombonists Satch Garlock, Frank Stanek, Eric Watts and Emily Schordock on horn; while the rhythm section consists of Alex Trotter on piano, Emily Ebert on bass, Molly Willard on drums and vocalist Gracie Fumic

Performers for Spring 2019 Honors Recital Announced

The best of Spring 2019 will be showcased at the Spring 2019 Honors Recital on Monday, Apr. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as selected by their private teachers.

Performers will include vocalists Michael Cowan, Maggie George, Alli Lange, Maya Rickard and Rebecca Young; while instrumentalists are Kailyn Buyok (violin), Ariane Hill (flute), Jed McFadden (piano), Jacob Moses (clarinet), Christine Shelton (piano), and Eric Watts (composer, tuba).

Percussion Studio Recital, April 1

Under the direction of Elizabeth Procopio, the Ashland University Percussion Studio will perform a concert of a variety of works featuring different styles and instrumentation on April 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The event if free and open to the public. 

Comprised of music education majors, minors, and non-majors, the ensemble's students frequently perform with the University Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Orchestra, Ashland Area Community Concert Band, and many jazz combos in the department. The concert program will include J.S.Bach's "Gavotte" and "Bouree"; "Perpetual Motion" by Richard Weiner; "Head Talk" by Mark Ford; and "Akadinda Trio" by Emmanuel Sejourne.

Reed Performs Concert of Classics and Jazz, Mar. 31

The Department of Music at Ashland University announces a concert of classical and jazz music featuring by Dr. Thomas Reed on Sunday, Mar. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

For his 34th consecutive annual faculty concert at Ashland University, Dr. Reed will perform on clarinet and saxophone with pianists Susan Gregg and Lanny Gooding; Erin Helgeson Torres on flute; Scott Garlock, trombone; Paul Martin, bass; and Steve Berry, drums.

The concert program will include classical pieces from Schubert, Muczynski and Saint-Saens along with jazz standards and contemporary pieces by Dameron, Amarante, Fats Waller, Cole Porter and Marc Johnson.

Junior Recital: Rebecca Young, soprano, Mar. 24

Ashland University Department of Music presents a junior recital with soprano Rebecca Young accompanied by pianist Deb Logan on Sunday, Mar. 24 at 1 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

Rebecca is a vocal music and history major from Sherwood, Oregon and she studies voice with Sandra Ross. The program for her recital will consist of classical pieces by Haydn and Faure; as well as selections from operas and musical theatre such as The Merry Widow, Princess Ida, Firefly, Have a Heart and She Loves Me.

Ashland County Middle School Musicians Honored at AU Concert

In Celebration of Music in Our Schools Month, Ashland University Department of Music will host the annual Ashland County Middle School Honors Band on Sunday, March 24 at 4 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. The Ashland University Symphonic Band will be the featured guest ensemble. Joseph Lewis, Jr., Ashland University Director of Bands, will serve as conductor for both ensembles.

Consisting of 72 members, the Ashland County Middle School Honors Band includes seventh and eighth grade students from Ashland, Crestview, Hillsdale, Loudonville-Perrysville and Mapleton Schools. Members of the Ashland County Band Directors Association met with Mr. Lewis to plan the program. The committee of band directors selected the honors band members based on merit and instrumentation needs of the band. Students meet at Ashland University on March 21 and 23 to rehearse and present this program with music ranging from
classical selections to traditional marches.

The 51-member Ashland University Symphonic Band will open the concert with a cameo program of wonderful music chosen especially to highlight this year’s Chicago tour theme: Music from Across the Pond and the Far East including Vaughan Williams’ Flourish for Wind Band, McBeth’s Kaddish, Chance’s Variations on a Korean Folk Song, Tschesnokoff’s Salvation is Created, and Hazo’s Olympiada.

The combination of these two bands make for a rewarding, exciting and satisfying musical experience for both the performers and the audience. Admission is free and open to the public.

40th Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival Slates 5 Guest Artists

Ashland University’s award-winning jazz program is proud to present the 40th Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival slated for Friday, March 22. Along with free performances by ten area school jazz ensembles from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre which features five professional jazz artists.

The Jazz Festival's evening concert will open with the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock. The concert program will headline guest jazz artists: Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Mike Tomaro (sax), Pat Harbison (trumpet), Sean Parsons (piano) and John Viser (drums).

Renowned musician, composer, conductor, and arranger, Wycliffe Gordon's impressive career has garnered him numerous accolades as a veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, an original member of Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at the Kennedy Center” Series, and the arranger of NPR’s “All Things Considered” theme song heard daily across the globe. Jazz Journalists Association named him “Trombonist of the Year” for the 10th time in 2017, and Downbeat Critics Poll named Wycliffe “Best Trombone” for four years. Most recently Wycliffe received the “Louie Award” honoring his dedication and commitment to the music of Louis Armstrong.

Saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator, Mike Tomaro is the Director of the Jazz Studies Program at Duquesne University. Prior to his appointment at Duquesne, he was a member of the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble where he served as its Enlisted Musical Director and performed for Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton as well as heads of state from around the world. As a performer, Mike has worked with such diverse artists and groups as Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Michael Feinstein, Linda Ronstadt, Debby Boone, Johnny Mathis, Wayne Bergeron, Dizzy Gillespie Tribute Big Band, Woody Herman Orchestra and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, where he is featured on their latest DVD, “Live at MCG.” He is also a member and Co-Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra.

Pat Harbison's many recordings as a jazz trumpeter include a 1999 solo debut, After All. In addition to appearances as leader, his recording credits include the PsychoAcoustic Orchestra, the Blue Wisp Big Band, and David Baker's 21st Century Bebop Band. He is a Professor of Jazz Studies at Indiana University and previously taught Trumpet and Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Sean Parsons is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator currently serving as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Ohio University. In demand as a performer and clinician nationwide, Sean has shared the stage with many of the most notable musicians in jazz including Clark Terry, James Moody, Jon Faddis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Steve Turre, and Randy Brecker. Additionally, he has regularly performed with and arranged for Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

John Viser describes himself as a 'Soul drummer trapped in a jazz drummer's body." Growing up in Memphis, his first gigs were sitting in with house bands on Beale Street. He studied jazz at Knox College where he had the opportunity to back up jazz luminaries, form the award winning "Good Ma Trio" and tour parts of North America and Spain. Viser is now a regular fixture on the St. Louis music scene working with Jake Gehret and the Brokedown Sound, the Southside trio, and the Jazz Cannibals.

These five guest artists will conduct a public clinic with ten high school bands that will perform earlier in the day in Hugo Young Theatre. After each high school band performs their 30-minute concert, the guest artists will meet with the band and offer their expertise to strengthen the ensemble and individual musician's performance. The Jazz Festival's afternoon performances are scheduled as follows:

11:30 a.m. Foundation Academy of Mansfield Jazz Band
12:00 p.m. Rittman High School Jazz Band
12:30 p.m. Crestview High School Jazz Band
1:00 p.m. Crestwood High School Jazz Band
1:30 p.m. Bloom Carroll High School Jazz Band
2:00 p.m. Ashland High School Jazz Band B
2:30 p.m. Brunswick High School Jazz Band
3:00 p.m. Stow-Munroe Falls High School Jazz Band
3:30 p.m. Galion High School Jazz Band
4:00 p.m. Ashland High School Jazz Band A

The afternoon performances are free and open to the public while tickets for the evening concert are available through the Ashland University Box Office at 419.289.5125, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online (additional fees apply) at www.ashland.edu/tickets.

Tickets for the evening concert are $10 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, non-Ashland University students and Ashland University faculty and staff; and free for Ashland University students.

Cabin Fever Choral Concert, Mar. 17

The Ashland University Choir, Chamber Singers and Women's Chorus present a concert to relieve our cabin fever on Sunday, Mar. 17 at 4 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. The eclectic program will offer everything from Elizabethan madrigals, to a Mass from Haydn, spirituals, contemporary a cappella, folk songs and lullabies. The concert is free and open to the public.

Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, will conduct the University Choir in a performance of Franz Joseph Haydn's "Little Organ Mass" for choir, small string orchestra and organ. On the Mass' lovely and extended “Benedictus,” it will feature soprano Rebecca Young, junior music major from Oregon, and university organist Dr. Timothy Guenther. Brian Le, senior political science major, will intone the beginning of the Gloria accompanied by Dr. Guenther.

The AU Choir will also sing two very recent choral compositions including “Selene’s Boat” by Don McDonald, based on a poem by Allison Girvan about the Greek goddess of the moon. Much of the piece is textless as it strives to create a certain mood. The final piece, “Rock-a My Soul,” arranged by the contemporary musician Stacey V. Gibbs, starts with the familiar spiritual and takes it to some exciting places through mixed modes, syncopated rhythms, and dramatic textures.

The Chamber Singers, also conducted by Dr. Blackley, will perform Morten Lauridsen’s “Four Madrigals on Renaissance Texts.” This set is accompanied by an instrumental quartet of flute, violin, cello, and bassoon. The juxtaposition of Elizabethan texts with twentieth century music is striking, at times poignant, and consistently effective.

Directed by Ashland University alumna Julie Strebler-Renner and accompanied by Susan Gregg, the Women's chorus' selections begin with "One Voice" by the Wailin’ Jennys, followed by Z. Randall Stroope’s “Lux Aeterna," a French piece titled “Je Le Vous Dirai,“ and conclude with Jacob Narverud’s “Lunar Lullaby.”

Symphonic Band Embarks on Chicago Tour

The Ashland University Symphonic Band under the direction of Joseph Lewis, Jr., will embark on a concert tour to Chicago during spring break. The tour will include performances at Ayersville High School (Defiance), Spencerville High School and the Chicago Field Museum.

The program for the concerts takes on an international flair featuring compositions from 'Across the Pond and Far East' including England, Italy, Russia, Israel, Korea as well as Samuel Hazo's Olympiada. 

Follow the Ashland University Music Facebook page to follow the band on their tour.

Sharing More from Liz Pastor Celebration

On Sunday, Feb. 3, we hosted an event to celebrate Ashland University Trustees Professor Elizabeth Pastor. With friends, family, colleagues and former students in attendance, the event began with a reception in the Coburn Gallery and moved to the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall for a program of remembrances and other tributes interspersed among musical selections.

Since many were unable to attend for various reasons, we want to share the event with you. Please follow the links below to view printed materials and videos.

• The bulletin from the Celebration
• A video compilation of her life which was shown at the event
• The printed program from the Celebration
• A video of the celebration's program of stories and music

We also invite you to join the Celebrating Liz Pastor Facebook group where new stories are being shared everyday.

It is evident that Liz's legacy and love for the arts will live on in all of us.

Please feel free to share this email and links.

OMEA Convention Converges Old with the New

Ashland University Music faculty, alumni and students converged at the OMEA convention in Cleveland. Alumni were represented as far back as 1974, 1977, 1979 and as recent as December 2018. It was great to reconnect with the following Eagles:

Danell Allen ‘94

Val Allie ‘02

Amy Arnett ‘99

Jessie Barnhouse ‘16

Rachel Blenman ‘10

Cassandra Bull ‘09

Lauren Colotto ‘12

Jeff Conklin ‘74

Melanie Donnelly ‘10

David Eddleman ‘03

Lew Friend ‘99

Emily Garlock ‘07

Lori Hitsman ‘01

Lisa Hoffman ‘87

Aly Horn ‘11

Katy Kohman ‘09

Patrick Kostalnick

Marty Kral ‘99

Alex Lacey ‘14

Toni Novotny ‘86

Lauren Owens ‘10

Becky Parcher ‘79

Jacob Poiner ‘18

Andrew Shaffer ‘15

Jim Slike ‘11

Julie Strebler ‘02

Kevin Taylor ‘05

Anne Teschler ‘03

Margo Trinter ‘11

Hannah Wise ‘18

Dave Wolbert ‘77

Beth Wortman ‘09

Josh Wortman ‘10

Geoffrey Zimmerly ‘03

Community Band Begins Spring Rehearsals, Feb. 12

Under the direction of Leonard Salvo, the Ashland Area Community Concert Band begins rehearsals  on Tues., Feb. 12 at the regular time (7:30-9 pm) in the band room of the Center for the Arts. The band will be reading some new music as well as revisiting music that it worked on last semester. The band will perform with the University Band in Hugo Young Theatre on Sunday, Apr. 28 at 7:30 pm.

AACCB is for those that loved playing in band in high school or college and want the opportunity to play again. Requirements for membership are the ability to play a wind or percussion instrument (no need to be a virtuoso); an interest in playing for enjoyment; desire to play a wide variety of music for the public; an interest in meeting new people who share a common interest and availability for rehearsals on Tuesday evenings.

Membership is open to all adults and AU students. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble's director. A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in either ensemble for the semester.

Celebrating Liz

On Sunday, numerous alumni, colleagues, friends and family gathered at AU to celebrate Elizabeth Pastor. The event began with a casual gathering and reception in the Coburn Gallery followed by a program of music performed by some of her former students as well as a sharing of remembrances. Here is a video that was compiled about Liz. Another video will be posted soon of the program of music and remembrances.

Faculty Recital Showcases Trombonists from Cleveland Pops and Jazz Orchestras

The Ashland University Department of Music presents a faculty recital featuring Dr. Scott Garlock, Professor of Music on trombone along with guest ensemble Le Bon Bones on Monday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

The evening's concert will present a program of trombone music culled from the 16th century to our current millenium. Selections will include Mozart's Requiem "Tuba Mirum," G. F. Handel's Dance Suite, Felix Mendelssohn's Nocturne, Pavane for a Dead Princess by Maurice Ravel, Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini, Bear Dance by Bela Bartok, Chorale from Jupiter by Gustav Holst, Prelude, Op. 34 by Dmitri Shostakovich, Afred Reed's Fanfare, Cappricio for 8 trombones by Eric Ewazen, Domine, Salva Nos by William Byrd, as well as, Body and Soul by Johnny Green and Bill Reichenbach's Back to the Fair.

The members of Le Bon Bones including Dr. Garlock are members of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, The Akron Symphony Orchestra, The Suburban Symphony and The Ashland Symphony Orchestra.

Bach Vesper Service Rescheduled for Jan. 27

Choral and instrumental musicians from Ashland University and Trinity Lutheran Church join forces to present the 15th in a series of Bach Vesper services, patterned after the order and flow of a Lutheran service from Bach's day on this Sunday at 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran, 508 Center Street, Ashland.

Music for this service includes Bach's Cantata #124 for the Sunday after Epiphany, I Will Not from Jesus Leave, and Arcangelo Corelli's Concerto Grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8, popularly known as the Christmas Concerto.

Featured musicians from Ashland University include Dr. Rowland Blackley directing the choir and orchestra, Dr. Timothy Guenther as the organist, soloists Gracie Fumic (soprano) and Ethan Tingler (bass), Jane Reed and Kailyn Buyok (violins).

The service is open to the public. A freewill offering will be received. A reception will follow. Staffed child care for children ages four and under will be available. The church building is ground level and accessible.

Chamber Singers Perform National Anthem at Ohio Senate

The Ashland University Chamber Singers were invited by Senator Larry Obhof, the new President of the Ohio Senate, to sing the National Anthem for the opening of the 133rd General Assembly on Monday, Jan. 7. Here is a video of the performance and a picture of the singers in the front of the Senate Chambers.

Chorus Rehearsals Begin Jan. 7

The Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), under the direction of Libby Slade, announces their spring schedule including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.

Beginning Monday, January 7, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts.

Founded by Dr. Rowland Blackley in 1998, the AAC is dedicated to a mission of learning great music and singing it beautifully. The chorus is open to all singers from Ashland and surrounding counties and includes Ashland University faculty, staff and students as well as other singers from the wider community. Though no formal audition is required for membership, AAC members must be pitch accurate (sing 'on key') and be able to learn and perform their parts successfully. Previous choral experience is helpful.

This semester the Chorus will perform choruses from Verdi's Il Travatore, La Traviata, Nabucco and Aida with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra at their April 13 concert at Archer Auditorium.

Membership in AAC is open to all adults. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble's director. A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in the ensemble for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office via phone at 419.289.5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets by clicking on the "Buy Single Tickets" icon.

For further information, contact the Chorus’ director Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460.

Spring 2019 Music Events

A full listing of Ashland University Department of Music events for the Spring 2019 semester is now available online at Ashland.edu/Music. From rehearsals for the Ashland Area Chorus and Ashland Area Community Concert Band to the Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival -- the listing includes many performances which are free and open to the public.