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.

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.

Percussion, Fall Honors & Student Ensembles Recitals

The Department of Music at Ashland University announces a variety of recitals to close the fall semester including an all percussion recital, small ensembles recital which will feature brass, string and jazz groups, as well as the semi-annual Honors Recital showcasing the exceptional work by selected vocalists and instrumentalists. All of the concerts are free and open to the public and will be performed in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

On Monday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. under the direction of Liz Procopio, the AU Percussion Ensemble will present a wide variety of works featuring different styles of music performed by Stefan Jonsson and Matt Long. The recital program will also include performances by the University Drumline and the Neutrals Percussion Duo.

The AU Drumline is part of the AU Eagle Marching band, which performs for all home games, as well as traveling to marching exhibitions throughout Ohio. Members include Jonsson, Anthony Brown, Dylan Feo, Paulina Seneff, Steven Shrenkel, Layne Spencer, Nicholas Stupka, Molly Willard and Tiffany Zeigler.

Based in Dayton and formed in 2016 by Evan Miller and Andrew Seivert, the Neutrals Percussion Duo combines their Rust Belt underground upbringings and classical training into a contemporary ensemble firmly grounded by their Midwestern roots. Equal parts written works and electroacoustic improvisation, Neutrals performs established percussion duo repertoire, drone-based sound explorations, and above all, commissioned works by living composers. Past and current collaborators include composers Rob Funkhouser, Nate May, Hugh Sheehan, and Brooks Frederickson, percussionist Aaron Michael Butler, Cincinnati experimental ensemble Knee Play, and Indianapolis-based production company NoExit Performance.

The best of Fall 2018 will be showcased at the Honors Recital on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.. Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as selected by their private teachers.

On Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., several student ensembles will perform in a joint recital including a jazz combo, brass ensemble and string ensemble under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, Joseph Lewis, Jr., and Jane Reed, respectively.

Student Ensembles Concert, Dec. 5

Several chamber ensembles present the culmination of their semester rehearsals in a joint concert including brass, saxophone, string and percussion ensembles. The Student Ensembles Recital will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. Free & Open to the Public

Student Ensembles Recital, Dec. 6

On Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, several student chamber ensembles perform including the saxophone ensemble under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, as well as brass, string and percussion ensembles instructed by Michael Metcalf, Jane Reed and Jeffrey Neitzke, respectively. Mr. Neitzke also leads a jazz combo which will perform. The concert is free and open to the public.

A Variety of Recitals to Close Spring Semester

The Department of Music announces a variety of recitals to close the spring semester, including small ensembles such as brass, saxophone, string, percussion and jazz combos, as well as vocal soloists. All of the concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall and are free and open to the public. 

On Thursday, April 21, various jazz combos under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock and Jeff Neitzke will perform a joint student ensembles recital along with a low brass ensemble also directed by Dr. Garlock.

Another student ensembles recital will be held on Monday, April 25, and will feature a brass ensemble under the direction of Michael Metcalf, a saxophone ensemble led by Dr. Thomas Reed, a percussion ensemble led by Mr. Neitzke and a string ensemble directed by Jane Reed.

The final recital of the semester features the best of spring 2016 at the Honors Recital on Monday, May 2. Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as selected by their private teachers.

AU Instrumental Ensembles Close Fall Music Events

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

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

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

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

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

Two Student Ensembles Recitals Scheduled for Monday Evening

Ashland University Department of Music presents two instrumental ensembles recital on Monday, April 20 in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The 7 p.m. concert features a trumpet ensemble, clarinet trio, flute trio and saxophone ensemble. At the 8:15 p.m. recital, the percussion ensemble, string ensemble, brass ensemble and jazz combo will perform. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

AU Instrumental Ensembles Offer a Variety of Free Concerts

The Department of Music at Ashland University is presenting four very different instrumental concerts the week after Thanksgiving which are all free and open to the public.  From two recitals each featuring multiple student chamber ensembles to the annual TubaChristmas and concluding with the Winter Festival Band Concert, music fans can enjoy live music performances all week.

Beginning on Tuesday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, the first recital of the student chamber ensembles will present a clarinet trio under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, as well as brass, string and trumpet ensembles instructed by Michael Metcalf, Jane Reed and Gary Davis, respectively.   On Wednesday, December 3, the featured ensembles will include a saxophone quartet directed by Dr. Reed along with a Jazz combo and the percussion ensemble led by Jeff Neitzke.

With two concerts on Saturday, December 6, the day begins with the annual TubaChristmas at 11 a.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. Patrons are advised that the times for this year's event are one hour earlier than in previous years. The concert is free and open to the public and area tuba, euphonium and baritone players are invited to perform. Musician registration will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a rehearsal at 9:20 a.m.  The registration fee for participating musicians is $10 and includes a 2014 TubaChristmas button.  The TubaChristmas carol book is also available for $10.00. Musicians are asked to bring their own folding stand.

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 the whole family can enjoy.

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

The 40-piece Ashland University Wind Ensemble is comprised of the outstanding wind and percussion players at the University and from the community.  The ensemble begins Saturday's concert with Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Flourish for Wind Band" followed by Percy Aldrige Grainger's "Irish Tune from County Derry" which is based on the Irish melody "Londonderry Air." The Wind Ensemble closes their portion of the program with Frank Ticheli's two movement piece "Cajun Folk Songs" featuring solo alto saxophone.

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 the stirring opening fanfare, silver screen opulence and lush lyricism of Alfred Reed's "Alleluia!! Laudamus Te" followed by John Wasson's "Sea Song Fantasy" which is a medley of sea songs and chanteys, and "The Gallant 7th", a march by John Philip Sousa composed and dedicated to the 7th Regiment, 107th Infantry, of the New York National Guard. They conclude the program with two Christmas medley's including John Wasson's "In the Christmas Mood" and Warren Barker's "It's Christmas."

LARGE VARIETY OF INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES PERFORM ON TUESDAY

The Department of Music at Ashland University is presenting two student ensembles recitals on Tuesday, April 29.  Both of the concerts are free and open to the public and are held in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts (formerly known as the Arts & Humanities Building). 

The first recital begins at 7 p.m. and is comprised of the string ensemble instructed by Jane Reed, brass ensemble led by Michael Metcalf, a sax quartet taught by Thomas Reed, and Jeff Neitzke instructing the percussion ensemble.  

At 8:30 p.m., the recital features a flute duo instructed by Lindsey Goodman, a low brass ensemble taught by Scott Garlock, and jazz combos directed by Garlock and Neitzke.