FALL CHORAL CONCERT FEATURES THREE VOCAL ENSEMBLES

Ashland University’s Fall Choral Concert features three University vocal ensembles including the Ashland University Choir, Ashland University Women’s Chorus and Ashland Area Chorus on Sunday, October 13, 4 p.m. at the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel.  The performance is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities will conduct the Ashland University Choir performing the sparkling and joyful Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi, one of the most beloved pieces in the choral repertoire. The AU Choir will be joined by student soloists and the Ashland Chamber Orchestra.  They will also present a set of unaccompanied motets. 

The Ashland University Women's Chorus, directed by Dr. Marla Butke, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education, will perform a variety of pieces including the Israeli folk song Hava Nashira, Bel Piacere from G. F. Handel's opera Agrippina, and contemporary pieces such as Andrea Ramsey's Heaven Unfolding with cello, Brain Tate's exhuberant Gate, Gate which is based on a Buddhist mantra, and John Rutter's The Lord Bless You and Keep You. 

Newly appointed conductor of the Ashland Area Chorus, Elizabeth Slade, will make her concert debut with the ensemble performing pieces by Duruflé, Rachmaninoff and Rutter as well as a new arrangement of a traditional American hymn commissioned for the Chorus.

FLUTIST LINDSEY GOODMAN PRESENTS FACULTY RECITAL, SUNDAY, OCT. 6

Ashland University Department of Music presents a faculty recital by adjunct instructor of flute Lindsey Goodman on Sunday, October 6, 3 p.m., in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.  The concert is free and open to the public.

Featuring the world premiere of Judith Shatin's Penelope's Song for flute and electronics, which was commissioned by and dedicated to Lindsey -- the recital is electroacoustic with electronics and acoustic flute playing hand-in-hand to create a chamber music experience with only one performer. Lindsey has presented over 15 of these performances in six states over the past five seasons.  

An avid performer of new music, “flutist Lindsey Goodman appears to know no fear in tackling the most demanding music” (Tribune-Review). A strong advocate for emerging composers and electroacoustic or multimedia works, Lindsey is an active commissioner of new pieces, and has given over fifty-five world premieres, including nineteen solo and chamber compositions written especially for her.

38TH ANNUAL MADRIGAL FEASTE GOES ON SALE SEP. 23

2012 Madrigal Players

Tickets for the 38th 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 come to the box office window located in the lobby of Hugo Young Theatre at the corner of College Avenue and Grant Street or order online at www.ashland.edu/tickets (additional fees apply for online orders).  Patrons can also call the box office at 419.289.5125, but phone lines are expected to be busy. 

Ashland University Department of Music produces the annual Madrigal Feaste which is slated for Wednesday through Sunday, November 20 – November 24.  All performances begin at 6:30 PM 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 and Butler 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 2013 Madrigal Feaste Chamber Singers feature Derek Jackenheimer as the King and Erin Lingenfelter as the Queen along with their court including Sam Diemer, Deric Dove, Christopher Goffos, DR Haught, Emily Jeppesen, Grace Keller, Jacob Markley, Christian Neely, Courtney Patton, Jacob Poiner, Andrew Shaffer, Emily Springer, Katie Stone, Caleb Stout and Alex VanScoy. Led by Hilary Rheinheimer as the Jester, the Madrigal Players are Mason Adams, Kim Lennox, Zach Lindesmith, Zach Manthey and De’Andre Peterson.

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

DALCROZE WORKSHOPS BEGIN THIS SATURDAY, SEP. 7

Ashland University Department of Music and the Ohio Chapter of the Dalcroze Society of America is offering several Dalcroze workshops throughout the year beginning this Saturday, September 7. 

 

September 7       Terry Boyarsky, Teaching Artist for Young Audiences

                             "Dalcroze and Quick Reaction Exercises”

January 11          Dr. Marla Butke, Dr. Ron Blackley, Ashland University
                             "Improving Aural Skills Through Eurhythmics”
 

April 12               Larry Doebler, ret. Director, Choral Activities, Ithaca College
                             “Connecting to the Music Through Dalcroze Eurhythmics”
                             featuring a demonstration choir

COST:  $95 for all 3 workshops and membership to DSA OR
               $25 for each individual workshop OR             
               $10 for each individual workshop – college students

GRADUATE CREDIT: There is an additional fee of $200 for 1 hour of graduate credit (due on April 12/payable to Ashland University). Must attend all 3 workshops plus reflection session on September 7, 1:00-1:30 pm. Assignments: Reflection papers and 2 lesson plans

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration can be submitted in advance to:

Ohio Chapter of DSA, c/o Karen Dhyanchand,
7464 Angel Dr, North Canton, OH 44720.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Marla Butke, Ph. D., Associate Professor of Music, Ashland University
Dalcroze Society of America Ohio Chapter President

Dalcroze Certified Teacher

Dalcroze Society of America Research Chair
Cell 614-581-4746 • mbutke@ashland.edu

FALL CONCERTS BEGIN WITH AU MARCHING BAND AND IRON TOYS

The Department of Music at Ashland University begins its fall semester concerts at the Ashland County Fair with the University Marching Band leading the Parade of Bands at the grandstand on Sunday, September 15 at 2:00 p.m. under the baton of Leonard Salvo, Director of Bands.

Also in September, the Department of Music is pleased to present a guest artist recital with the Iron Toys saxophone and woodwind quartet on Monday, September 23, 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.  Founded in 2004 by Tom Reed, Rich Shanklin, George Shernit and Howie Smith, the quartet performs a diverse repertoire blending classical, jazz and avant-garde styles. Because of the doubling skills of its members, the group has over twenty instruments available for any given performance. This concert is free and open to the public.

 

For more information about the music department and its performances, visit the Web site at www.ashland.edu/music or contact Tricia Applegate, coordinator of performing arts publicity and events, at 419-289-5950 or tapplega@ashland.edu. Also available is the College of Arts & Sciences 2013-2014 ARTS GUIDE offering a comprehensive listing of the year's music, theatre, Spectrum and Coburn Gallery events.

ASHLAND AREA CHORUS AND 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 August 19, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts (formerly the Arts and Humanities building). Initially meeting on Tuesday, September 3, 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 sixteenth season, the Ashland Area Chorus is a non-auditioned mixed choir of about 65 singers from Ashland, Richland, Medina, Wayne, Holmes and Crawford Counties.  The fall semester’s repertoire will include pieces by Duruflé, Rachmaninoff and Rutter as well as a new arrangement of a traditional American hymn commissioned for the Chorus.  The Chorus will participate in the Ashland University fall concert, October 13, and the annual Festival of Lights on December 8. For membership, previous choral experience is helpful and encouraged. 

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band begins its twenty-first 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 concert at the Ashland County Fair on Tuesday, September 17, and a performance at the University with the Ashland University Concert Band on Saturday, December 7. 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 to AAC and AACCB is open to anyone.  However, students still in high school must have permission by 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 through the Ashland University Box Office at 419.289.5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/music. 

 

For further information, contact the Chorus’ new conductor Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460; or Leonard Salvo, Director of Bands, at 419-289-5132 or lsalvo@ashland.edu.  

ASHLAND AREA CHORUS ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR

After fifteen years of existence, the Ashland Area Chorus will see its first change in directorship this fall.  Dr. Ron Blackley, Professor of Music at Ashland University, is passing his baton to Elizabeth Slade, Adjunct Instructor of Music at Ashland University.

An Ashland resident since 2006, Libby teaches musicianship classes at AU, directs the choir and leads worship music at First United Methodist Church, and has frequently sung with the Ashland Area Chorus.  Libby received her Bachelor's degree in Music and French from the University of Virginia and her Master's degree from Harvard University.  She has conducted numerous choruses on the east coast, including the Mary Baldwin College Choir and the Virginia Women's Chorus.  In addition, she has an extensive background as a professional chorister, soloist and teacher of voice. The AU Department of Music is pleased to have found a conductor with such a fine background, and looks forward to many years of Libby Slade's leadership of the Ashland Area Chorus.

 

Thriving on a mission of singing great music beautifully, the ensemble performs regularly as part of Ashland University choral concerts, annually in collaboration with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, for the Ohio Choral Directors Association, and by invitation with the Central Ohio Symphony.  Singers have come from the greater Ashland area, but also Richland, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, and Crawford counties as well.  The group sings both accompanied and a cappella choral music mainly drawn from the classical canon.

Rehearsals for the 2013-2014 season of the Ashland Area Chorus will commence on Monday, August 19, at 7:00 pm in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts on the Ashland University campus and are open to all interested singers.  For further information, contact Libby at eslade@ashland.edu.