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.

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

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

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.

Lewis' Career in Music and the Military Leads Him to AU

Joseph Lewis, Jr., Ashland University Director of Bands, is honored to have a career which combines his two worlds of music and the military. Not only will he lead the Ashland University Eagle Marching Band into Jack Miller Stadium for the football game against Northern Michigan on Nov. 10, but he will also recognize fellow military men and women for their service at a special halftime show in observance of Veterans Day.

Lewis' journey into a career combining music and the military began in the summer of 2000 when he enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard, attended ten weeks of basic training and completed 3 weeks on-the-job training.

After completing the necessary steps to become a member of the Ohio National Guard's 122nd Army Band, he then enrolled as a music education and trombone performance major at the Ohio State University in January of 2001, and went on to earn his masters in music education from Bowling Green State University. In 2014, he attended Warrant Officer Candidate School to become the new 122nd Army Band Commander after a 15-year tenure in the band.

His journey then took a turn which led him to Ashland University when he was named the Director of Bands for the 2017-2018 academic year. Now in his second year at AU, he is making great strides in enhancing the Eagle Marching Band and Symphonic Band programs while continuing his leadership with the 122nd Army Band.

As the leader of both programs, Lewis is responsible for everything from recruiting and auditioning new members, to managing the various ensembles, selecting the repertoire and organizing the "missions" (the military term for their events including military ceremonies, military balls, honorable transfer of remains, and concert tours).

Lewis sees multiple benefits from working for both organizations which he has already implemented. Earlier this fall he collaborated with the Ashland High School (AHS) music department who hosted the 122nd's Flashback Rock Band for a day of workshops with the high school students as well as a public concert that evening. Joe emphasized that "the concert was good, but the workshopping with the high school students was great." Later in the semester, the AHS and AU Marching Bands performed a joint halftime show at each other's home games with over 200 musicians. These are great recruiting opportunities for the 122nd Army Band and the Ashland University Band.

For students looking to enroll in a college music program, there are great benefits for serving in the 122nd Army Band including scholarships, tuitiion assistance, student loan repayment program and G.I. Bill cash assistance for educational expenses such as books, housing, food and more. For a six year commitment of attending drill one weekend per month along with an additional 15 days through the year to perform in parades, public concerts, and ceremonies -- these benefits could be someone's opportunity for a college degree. The scholarship program covers up to 100% tuition paid to any state-supported school within the state of Ohio, or up to the amount of the highest state school tuition in Ohio towards a private university education.

To become a musician with the 122nd Army Band which is considered a "civilian acquired skill," those interested should contact Lewis through the Band's Web site or Facebook page to schedule an audition. The audition is comprised of two portions consisting of prepared and quickly prepared performance. For the prepared portion, auditionees must prepare at least three contrasting pieces which emphasize their technical, musical, and stylistic abilities. The evening before the audition, auditionees will be sent a packet of music of varying styles which will judge their ability to quickly prepare for a short-notice performance. Out of the 40-point audition scoring, a score of at least an 18 is needed to quality. Lewis makes it clear to those enlisting that they must also audition for the Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at the Army School of Music in Virginia Beach, be admitted and complete their 10-week training.

Throughout his career, it has been Mr. Lewis' goal to teach at the college level which he has met at Ashland University where he invites all military veterans to this Saturday's 1 p.m. football game to be recognized for their service on the field at halftime. Veterans will receive one free game ticket upon arrival at the stadium. To secure their ticket, veterans should contact Joe Lewis at jlewisjr@ashland.edu or 419.289.5132.

AU & AHS Bands Perform Together This Weekend

The Ashland University (AU) Marching Eagles and the Ashland High School (AHS) Arrows Marching Bands join forces this weekend to present two halftime shows. Directors Joseph Lewis, Jr. (AU), and Martin Kral (AHS) will lead 200 students to perform at the halftime shows for AHS' Friday night football game versus Mansfield Senior High School and again at AU’s Saturday evening football game against Saginaw Valley State University. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

With the theme of “Musicals,” the halftime shows will feature a performance by the home band and then the bands will combine to play two other show tunes.

On Friday night, the AHS Band will perform Mambo from West Side Story, then the AU Band will join them for This is Me from The Greatest Showman and Bohemian Rhapsody from We Will Rock You. This is Me will feature the AHS Sweeties Dance Team and Bohemian Rhapsody will feature the AU twirlers. The AU color guard will perform on both tunes as well.

On Saturday, the AU Band will perform two additional selections from The Greatest Showman including the title song, The Greatest Showman, and A Million Dreams. The AHS Band will join them for the two combined pieces that were performed at the Friday show.

According to Kral, who is an AU Band alumnus, the two marching bands performed together when he was a university student in the mid-1990s. He believes this is the first time in over 20 years that the bands have combined to perform together at each other’s halftime shows. Both directors hope to continue this joint effort for each football season.

Kral elaborated on Lewis’ outreach since he was appointed AU's Director of Bands, saying, "Within the last year we've met on several occasions about different opportunities for the university and the high school. We collaborated on the Middle School Honors Band last March and will again this coming spring. [As a member of the 122nd, Lewis] helped AHS host members of the 122nd Ohio Army National Guard Band. Fall of next year, Joe has a marching band show planned and has already invited us."

For more information about this weekend's events or the band programs, contact Kral at makral@ashlandcityschools.org or Lewis at jlewisjr@ashland.edu.

Community Band Rehearsals Begin Sep. 11

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) begins its twenty-sixth season with its weekly rehearsals on Tuesday, Sep. 11 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Center for the Arts' Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. Under the direction of Ashland University Professor Emeritus Leonard Salvo, 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 8 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 the Community Band director Leonard Salvo at lsalvo@ashland.edu.

Register for AU Marching Band!

It’s not too late to register for Ashland University Marching Band! Band camp starts Monday, August 20 so there’s still time to register. We have specific needs for a bass drummer and cymbal players, but everyone is welcome to join us!

This year's shows include:

• Panic! At the Disco
• The Greatest Showman

and many other cool themes.

Contact the director, Joe Lewis (jlewisjr@ashland.edu) for more information.

Concert Celebrates "The Masters" & More

Ashland University Department of Music presents its final band concert of the 2017-2018 academic year on Saturday, April 21 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 "The Masters" as it features major composers within the band and orchestra world. The event will serve as a celebration for the AACCB's 25th anniversary, and will recognize the senior AU Band members for their dedication and contribution to the AU Band program.

The AACCB will feature soloists John Robinson, euphonium, performing Rhapsody for Euphonium and Concert Band, and Tom Reed on saxophone performing his arrangement of three nostalgic pieces entitled Radio Days. Their portion of the program will also present A Festival Prelude by Alfred Reed celebrating the ensemble's 25th season, Hands Across the Sea by Sousa and The Light Eternal by James Swearingen remembering the 4 chaplains who gave their lives to save others when the SS Dorchester was attacked and sunk during WWII.

The University Symphonic Band will perform Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, Holst's Second Suite for Military Band in F, Grainger's Irish Tune from County Derry and Children's March, Mackey's Foundry, and conclude with Williams' Olympic Fanfare and Theme.

Annual Middle School Honors Band Concert, Mar. 18

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 18, at 4 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. The Ashland University Concert Band will be the featured guest ensemble. Joseph Lewis Jr., Ashland University director of bands, will serve as conductor for both ensembles.

Consisting of 78 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 meet with Lewis and Ashland’s Martin Kral, this year’s chairman, to plan the program. The committee of band directors selects the honors band members based on merit and instrumentation needs of the band. Students meet at Ashland University on Thursday, March 16, and Sunday, March 18, to rehearse and present this program with music ranging from classical selections to traditional marches.

The 53-member Ashland University Concert Band will open the concert with a cameo program of wonderful but unusual music chosen especially to highlight the day including Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, Wagner's The Ride of the Valkyries, Irish Tune from County Derry by Percy Grainger, Foundry by John Mackey, and J.P. Sousa’s The Black Horse Troop.

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

Community Band Begins Rehearsals Feb. 13

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB)] announces their spring schedule including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements. Beginning February 13, the Community Band rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in Room 115 of the Center for the Arts (formerly the Arts and Humanities building).

In its twenty-fifth season, the Ashland Area Community Concert Band 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 spring include a performance at the University with the Ashland University Symphonic Band on Saturday, April 21, and a concert at Brookside Park's Memorial Band Shell on Sunday, June 17.

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 in AACCB 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 is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in either 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 Community Band director Leonard Salvo at lsalvo@ashland.edu.

Wigton Featured in News Article

The Ashland Times-Gazette (11/27/2017) recently published a "This Week's Personality" story about Loudonville native, Ashland University Music education major and AU Band member Jennifer LeeAnn Wigton. Along with her recent accomplishments in band, the article also mentions those who have influenced her success in music going all the way back to elementary school when her music teacher was another AU music graduate, Megan Routh. READ ARTICLE

Area Chorus & Community Concert Band Announce Fall Schedules

Two community music ensembles at Ashland University [Ashland Area Chorus (AAC) and Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB)] announce their fall schedules including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.

Beginning Monday, August 28, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts. Initially meeting on Tuesday, September 12, the Community Band rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Center for the Arts' Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

Entering its nineteenth season, 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.

AAC's theme this semester is Sing We and Chant It! Music from the Heart of England, featuring madrigals by William Byrd, Thomas Morley and Orlando Gibbons, and sacred works by Thomas Tallis, Imogene Holst, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. In addition to performances in AU's Fall Choral Concert on October 29 and Festival of Lights on December 10, the Ashland Area Chorus will be singing an extended prelude and service music at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland on Sunday, December 3 at the 5:30 p.m. Mass.

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band begins its twenty-fifth season and 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 Concert Band on Saturday, December 9.

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 in AAC and AACCB 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 either 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; or Community Band director Leonard Salvo at lsalvo@ashland.edu.

AU Music Releases Promo Video

Enjoy and share the new promotional video for Ashland University Music featuring the Ashland University Band performing the Ashland University Battle Song.

MUSIC FACULTY SHOWCASE TALENTS AT CHAMBER RECITAL

Directed by Arie Lipsky, several faculty members from the Ashland University Department of Music combine and showcase their talents with Lipsky for a chamber ensemble recital on Sunday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital. The performance is free and open to the public.

The program begins with William Bergsma's "Four All" featuring Lipsky on cello; Thomas Reed, clarinet; Scott Garlock, trombone; and Jeff Neitzke, percussion followed by Arthur Honegger's "Trois Contrepoints" performed by Lipsky; Jane Berkner on piccolo; Jane Reed, violin; Andria Hoy, oboe and English horn. Flutist Jane Berkner and Jeff Neitzke on marimba perform Gareth Farr's "Kembang Suling" in three movements followed by Astor Piazzolla's "Primavera Portena" with clarinetist Thomas Reed, Lipksy on cello, and pianist Pavlina Draganova. After a brief intermission, the recital concludes with Jean Francaix's "Octuor" conducted by Lipsky and performed by violinists Michelle Abraham and Jane Reed; Jim Froelich, viola; Miles Richardson, cello; Dave Lenigan, bass; Thomas Reed, clarinet; Ian Hoy, bassoon and Mike Metcalf, horn.

Known in the Ashland area as the music director and conductor for the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, Arie Lipsky is a native of Haifa, Israel, where he received extensive training as a cellist and flutist. He holds degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Music which he received before serving in the Israeli armed forces as a tank commander. After moving to the United States, Arie served as Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra and graduated from there with distinction. During this period he also assumed conducting responsibilities with the Ohio Light Opera. He moved to Buffalo, New York in 1984 to become the Philharmonic's principal cellist and, in 1990, also became the Resident Conductor, a position he held for twelve years. Maestro Lipsky is currently in his seventeenth season as Music Director and Conductor of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, and also in his thirteenth season as Music Director and Conductor of the Ann Arbor (Michigan) Symphony.

ASHLAND UNIVERSITY PRESENTS CONCERT HONORING AREA JUNIOR HIGH INSTRUMENTALISTS

In Celebration of Music in Our Schools Month, Ashland University Department of Music will host the annual Ashland County Junior High School Honors Band on Sunday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre with the Ashland University Concert Band as the featured guest ensemble. Leonard Salvo, Ashland University Director of Bands, will conduct both bands.

Consisting of 75 members, the Ashland County Junior High Honors Band includes seventh and eighth grade students from Ashland, Crestview, Hillsdale, Loudonville-Perrysville and Mapleton Middle Schools. Members of the Ashland County Band Directors Association meet with Leonard Salvo to plan the program. The committee of band directors selects the honors band members based on merit and instrumentation needs of the band. Students meet at Ashland University on Thursday, March 21 and Sunday, March 24 to rehearse and present this program with music ranging from classical selections to traditional marches. 

The 65-member Ashland University Concert Band will open the concert with a cameo program of wonderful but unusual music chosen especially to highlight the day. The Junior High School Honors Band will perform following the University Concert Band’s program.

Guest artist Jeff Neitzke, xylophone, will be featured with the Concert Band in "Rainbow Ripples." Neitzke is the Adjunct Percussion Professor at Ashland University and at Mt. Union College, and is also coordinator of the Canton Symphony Steel Band and Percussion programs. As a performer, Jeff has been a member of such orchestras as the Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Sinfonia da Camera, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and is currently the principal timpanist of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. Jeff received his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Illinois under Tom Siwe and Bill Moersch, and his Masters Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Akron under Dr. Larry Snider.

The combination of these two bands and guest percussionist make for a rewarding, exciting and satisfying musical experience for both the performers and the audience. Admission is complimentary and a recording can be ordered.

AU BAND AND CHOIR by Katie Stone - in Spanish

En el departamento de música, hay dos grupos musicales muy grandes; la banda y el coro. Los dos grupos, si bien tienen la misma cantidad de dificultad general, poseen varias propiedades más difíciles que el otro y propiedades difíciles similares. Un grupo no es más difícil que el otro.

Por ejemplo, en la banda, existen muchas partes diferentes de música, por lo menos una parte por instrumento, en cada canción. Algunas piezas disfrutan arriba de tres partes para un tipo de instrumento. En algunas casos, ¡hay más de quince partes en solamente una canción! También, muchos instrumentos se encuentran en diferentes tonos y su música está escrita en un tono diferente que los otros. Un instrumentista solamente puede ver su parte porque habría demasiadas partes por página. Esto dificulta tocar juntos durante la canción porque los instrumentistas no saben que toca otro instrumentista durante su parte. En la mayoría de los casos en el coro, por otro lado, una canción se divide en cuatro a ocho partes. Por otro lado, el coro puede ver todas las partes en la canción.  

Además, la repentización de música es una habilidad muy difícil para los dos grupos, sin embargo el coro repentiza menos fácilmente que la banda. Los cantantes necesitan encontrar la nota por el oído. Se necesita mucho entrenamiento para conseguir esto. En muchos casos, los músicos de la banda solamente necesitan saber la digitación de una nota. Otros instrumentistas, por ejemplo la trompeta, una digitación se utiliza para varias notas.

Por otro lado, todos grupos musicales poseen diferentes géneros de música. Con cada género, hay estilos diferentes de interpretar. Durante una canción, un músico puede tocar notas rápidas y breves y durante otra canción, interpreta notas lentas y relacionadas. Todos músicos necesitan esta habilidad para tocar muchos estilos.

Los instrumentistas necesitan la habilidad básica para entender la notación musical tanto como los cantantes. Leer música es similar a leer otro idioma. Una hoja de música tiene muchos símbolos y palabras (como ritardando)  que un músico necesita leer. La clave de una canción, por ejemplo, cambia en gran medida el sonido. Incluso después de años de estudiar, hay algunos símbolos y palabras pocos comunes que los músicos no conocen.

En conclusión, los músicos del coro y de la banda necesitan muchas habilidades para interpretar música. Un grupo no tiene más dificultad  del otro. Cada grupo poseen característicos difíciles diferentes y característicos difíciles similares.  

Katie Stone is a junior music education major from Sarasota, Florida. In addition to studying the clarinet, and performing with the Ashland University Band and Choir, Katie studies Spanish and Portuguese. She is participating in the Study Abroad program, spending a semester in Brazil. We thank Katie for providing her writing for us, and we thank her Spanish professor at Ashland, Dr. Jennifer Rathbun.

COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND AND UNIVERSITY WIND ENSEMBLE PRESENT CONCERT WITH GUEST VOCALIST STEPHANIE SIKORA

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) and Ashland University Wind Ensemble present their annual Winter Festival Concert, under the direction Ashland University Director of Bands Leonard Salvo along with guest artist, soprano Stephanie Sikora, on Thursday, December 8, 7:30 p.m. at the University’s Hugo Young Theatre.  The concert is free and open to the public.

The 60-piece Wind Ensemble begins the concert with “A Festival Prelude” by Alfred Reed which opens with robust fanfares followed by a warm and melodic middle section then ending with a majestic processional march.  The ensemble continues with “Ghost Train” by Eric Whitacre, one of the most popular and performed composers of our generation.  This first movement of the three movement tone poem “Ghost Train Triptych” depicts a supernatural machine that roars out of the night through forgotten towns and empty canyons. The music’s eerie sounds and driving rhythms beautifully captures the supernatural spirit combined with the essence of a steaming locomotive.  The third piece of the program, “Perthshire Majesty” by Samuel Hazo, is a lush Scottish ballad which won the 2003 National Band Association’s Revelli Memorial Composition Contest.  Closing the first half of the concert, the Wind Ensemble performs Reber Clark’s “Hymn of St. James” which is a composition for band based on the hymn “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”

After a brief intermission, the Ashland Area Community Concert Band begins their program with “Fanatic Winds,” a lively concert work with a youthful character by English composer Thomas Doss; followed by two movements of Clare Grundman’s exquisite symphonic settings of four beloved English folk tunes in “English Suite;”  and James Swearingen’s “The Light Eternal”, a dramatic and emotional work based on the hymn “God of Our Fathers” that tells the story of the S.S. Dorchester that sank off the coast of Greenland.  Soprano Stephanie Sikora then takes the stage with the Concert Band to perform Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s “Tonight” from the American musical “West Side Story.” The concert closes with Robert Sheldon’s “A Most Wonderful Christmas” which includes some of the most popular Christmas selections of all time such as “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.”

Stephanie Sikora is currently in her nineteenth year as head of the voice area in the Department of Music at Ashland University. She has sung over 100 performances with Cleveland Opera on Tour, as well as appeared in main stage productions with Cleveland Opera, and as a guest soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Festival. Additional credits include performances with the Reading Symphony, Canton Symphony, Mendelssohn of Pittsburgh, Ashland Symphony, Akron Lyric Opera Theatre, Firelands Symphony, The Singers’ Club, and fourteen years as a member and frequent soloist with the Robert Page Cleveland Singers.

Ashland Area Community Concert Band Begins Rehearsals Sept. 6

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB), led by Ashland University’s Director of Bands Leonard Salvo, announces its fall schedule beginning with rehearsals on Tuesday, Sept. 6, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall at Ashland University’s Center for the Arts.

The fall schedule continues through the fall with rehearsals every Tuesday evening, a concert at the Ashland County Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 20, and a concert at the University on Thursday, December 8.

Members of the Ashland area community and adjoining communities who play band instruments are encouraged to become members of this exciting part of the Ashland musical community. 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, particularly percussion, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon and French horn (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. Students still in high school must have permission of the conductor. Continuing education or college credit is available.                                                                                                          


For more information, contact Leonard Salvo, Director of Bands, at 419-289-5132 or lsalvo@ashland.edu