BUTKE PRESENTS AT NATIONAL ORFF CONFERENCE

Dr. Marla Butke, associate professor of music, recently presented "Dalcroze Eurhythmics: Guiding Effective Plastique Animée Experiences" at the American Orff Schulwerk Association's National Conference in Denver, Colo., with colleague, Dr. David Frego, professor of music from UTSA.

AUJO PRESENTS FIRST WINTER FESTIVAL CONCERT

The award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) will be hosting a free Winter Festival concert in Hugo Young Theater on Monday, November 25 at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Dr. Scott Garlock, the concert will feature three sets of music including a set of Christmas music for big band performed by AUJO, a few selections by Dr. Garlock's student jazz combo, and closing with  the Jazz Orchestra  performing big band music in several styles.

The Jazz Orchestra’s first set will include holiday favorites such as “Auld Lang Syne,” “Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” and a “Here Comes Santa Claus “ medley.  The student jazz combo’s program includes  “All of Me” arranged by Dick Lieb, “Speak Low” arranged by Roger Holmes and Herbie Hancock’s “Canteloupe Island.”  AUJO’s final portion  of the concert features Mike Tomaro’s  arrangement of Dizzie Gillespie’s “Birk’s Work,” “The Chicken” arranged by Kris Berg, and Frank Mantooth’s arrangement of “Centerpiece.”

INVITATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHORAL FESTIVAL RETURNS NOV. 16

The annual Invitational High School Choral Festival returns to Ashland University on Saturday, November 16 which culminates in a public concert at 3:45 p.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. Presented by the Department of Music, the concert is free and open to the public. 

Three Ohio high schools will engage in a day of musical and educational activities led by Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, and Dr. Timothy Guenther, Adjunct Instructor of Music and University organist. Participating choirs include Lexington High School Choir directed by Paul Dawson, Lake High School Madrigal Singers (Cortland) directed by Bonnie Chronister, and Triway High School Choir (Wooster) directed by Stan Willis. For the public concert, musical selections will be performed by each high school choir followed by a combined piece performed by all of the choirs and the Ashland University Choir.

SENIOR RECITAL AND FALL HONORS RECITAL SHOWCASING SEMESTER'S EXCEPTIONAL MUSICIANS

The Ashland University Department of Music presents two student recitals within the next week. On Sunday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m., clarinetist Alexandria VanScoy presents her senior recital.  Then on Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m., several student musicians will be featured in the fall semester honors recital.  Both recitals are free and open to the public, and are held in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

For her senior recital, Miss VanScoy will be assisted by pianist Emily Grabinski. Alex is a graduate of Huron High School and is majoring in music education.  She studies clarinet privately with Dr. Thomas Reed, Music Department Chair and Professor of Music.

The Honors Recital will showcase the department’s student musicians who accomplished exceptional work in the fall semester from instrumentalists and vocalists.

REED PRESENTS RECITAL OF CLARINET FAVORITES AND SAXOPHONE JAZZ SELECTIONS

Ashland University Department of Music presents a faculty recital by Thomas Reed, Professor of Music and Music Department Chair, and pianist Susan Gregg on Thursday, October 31, 7:30 p.m., in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall located down the hall from Hugo Young Theatre in the Center for the Arts.  The concert is free and open to the public.

The recital begins with Dr. Reed on clarinet performing pieces including one of Witold Lutoslawski's most popular works Dance Preludes which is based on Polish folk dances, and Camille St. Saens' cherished Sonate for Clarinet. After a brief intermission, Dr. Reed will switch to the saxophone for jazz selections with Lanny Gooding, piano; Tim Powell, bass; Rich Moore, drums; Scott Garlock, trombone; and Amanda Bekeny, trumpet. Music may include Nica's Dream, The Nearness of You, Samba de Orfeu, Too Close for Comfort, 4:30 Blues, and Jumpin' at the Woodside.

Dr. Reed joined the Ashland University faculty in 1986. He is a member of the Akron Symphony and Ashland Symphony, was a long-time member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and has performed on clarinet or saxophone with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Blossom Festival Orchestra, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Youngstown Symphony, Blossom Festival Band and the Jazz Unit. He has been soloist with the Akron, Mansfield and Ashland Symphonies and performs on recordings from the Akron Symphony, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra. His clarinet CD “Mutually Inclusive” was released in 2008 on Capstone Records. He is also a founding member of IRON TOYS, a woodwind quartet that performs original repertoire for saxophones, clarinets and flutes. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan and the University of Akron.

SALVO AWARDED HONORARY TITLE OF KENTUCKY COLONEL

AU Director of Bands Leonard Salvo was presented the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel by the State of Kentucky at the band reception/reunion at homecoming on October 12. Former band members Jay & Kim Hartz presented the award as representatives of the State of Kentucky. 

Commissions for Kentucky Colonels are given by the Kentucky Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation.  

To obtain a Kentucky Colonel Commission, an applicant must be recommended by an individual who holds a Colonel Commission. AU Graduate and Band Alumnus Jay Hartz who serves as deputy chief of staff for Senate Republicans for the State of Kentucky nominated Mr. Salvo.  

Among the ranks of the Kentucky Colonels are distinguished leaders such as Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan and English Prime Minister Winston Churchill, volunteer firemen and teachers - people from all walks of life who have performed in an extraordinary manner. 

The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels does not appoint or commission Kentucky Colonels. That can only be done by the sitting Governor of the Commonwealth. Only the Governor knows the reason for bestowing the honor of a Colonel’s Commission on any particular individual. One recent Governor made this comment about the qualities he considered, “Each time I have the pleasure of bestowing a membership to this exceptional organization on an individual, the great tradition established by Kentucky’s first governor, Isaac Shelby, lives on. The name Kentucky Colonel has become synonymous with strength of character, leadership and dedication to the welfare of others. Just as Isaac Shelby declared his trusted militia members to be his Kentucky Colonels, I see in you those things that place others above self."

JAZZ AT THE NEST, TUESDAY, OCT. 15

Led by Dr. Scott Garlock, Professor of Music, the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will perform a wide variety of selections at a free public concert on Tuesday, October 15 in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center’s Eagles Nest at 7:30 p.m. Audience members are welcome to grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music of AUJO at the Nest. 

Pieces in the program include Alan Menken's Beauty and the Beast, George Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm, and several arrangements by Tom Reed of classic jazz tunes from George Gershwin, B.B. King, Duke Ellington and Ray Charles. Other possible tunes include Jersey Bounce, Just a Closer Walk, Lullaby of Birdland, Moten Swing and Stompin' at the Savoy.

Members of the AU Jazz Orchestra include vocalist Katie Mounts, saxophonists Michael Byndas, Jason Wolf, Steve Matis, Jessie Barnhouse, Shayne Smith, Mandi Hall and Joel Paige. The brass section includes trombonists Jaylynn Buchmelter, William McDonald, Fatima Imani Smith, Rachel Crow, Eileen Navratil, Chadwick Applegate; tubist Ben Bushong; along with Andy Bartelheim, Matt Saunier, Alex Sandwisch, Hannah Phillips and Eileen Navratil on trumpet. The rhythm section consists of Steve Morsher, drums; DR Haught, guitar; and Ben Schnell, bass.