ASHLAND SOPRANO KATHRYN MOUNTS PERFORMS SENIOR RECITAL

The Department of Music at Ashland University presents a senior vocal recital featuring Ashland High School graduate and Savannah resident Kathryn Mounts on Sunday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The recital is free and open to the public.

With a double-major in musical theatre and vocal music and a minor in history, Miss Mounts studies voice privately with Denise Howell at Ashland University. Accompanied by pianist Deb Logan, the concert program will include a variety of classical pieces from Bellini, Mozart, Lotti, Poulenc, Obradors and Arnold Cooke along with musical theatre selections including Girl in 14 G, If You Hadn't But You Did from On the Aisle, Won't Say I'm in Love from Hercules and Let it Go from Frozen. 

AWARD-WINNING VIOLINIST AND PIANIST PERFORMING AT AU

Ashland University Department of Music presents a guest artist recital with award winning violinist Jinjoo Cho and pianist HyunSoo Kim on Monday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public. 

The program for the concert will begin with Claude Debussy's final composition, Sonata No. 3 in G minor, followed by Czech composer Leoš Janáček's Violin Sonata, and Grammy-winning contemporary American composer Joan Tower's String Force.  After intermission, the concert will conclude with Sergei Prokofiev's Sonata No. 1 in F minor. Inspired by one of Handel's violin sonatas, and the four-movement structure, slow-fast-slow-fast, the Sonata's first movement is a haunting prelude while the second movement is a vigorously contested debate. The third movement is a lullaby followed by a folk dance in shifting meters for the finale. Prokofiev described the violin scales at the end of the first and fourth movements as 'wind passing through a graveyard'. These movements were played at Prokofiev's funeral.  

Violinist Jinjoo Cho has won several international violin competitions including the Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition, the Buenos Aires International Violin Competition, the Montréal International Musical Competition and the Stulberg International String Competition. She has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras such as The Cleveland Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, Aspen Concert Orchestra, and Ashland's own Symphony Orchestra. Jinjoo is a native of Seoul, South Korea, and a graduate of Yewon Art School and the Korean National University of Arts (Pre-College). She came to the U.S. in 2002 to study with Paul Kantor and participate in the Cleveland Institute of Music's Young Artist Program. Jinjoo attended the Curtis Institute of Music, but returned to CIM earning Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in violin performance. 

HyunSoo Kim is also a native of South Korea and began to play piano at the age of eight. He received a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the University of Delaware and completed his Master’s degree in Collaborative Piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2011 where he received the Rosa Lobe Collaborative Piano award. HyunSoo recently completed his Artist Diploma with Anita Pontremoli at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and has served as a staff pianist at Kent State University since 2011. HyunSoo has served as a collaborative pianist at Interlochen Arts Academy and recently joined the CIM collaborative piano staff. He has performed as soloist with the University of Delaware Symphony Orchestra, the Newark Symphony Orchestra and numerous community orchestras in the Delaware region.

BAND CONCERT HONORS 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 23 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 85 members, the Ashland County Junior High 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 Leonard Salvo and Crestview's Christopher Thompson, 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 20 and Sunday, March 23 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. The combination of these two bands 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.

MATT WILSON QUARTET HEADLINES JAZZ FESTIVAL

Ashland University’s award-winning Jazz program is proud to present the 2014 Maplerock Jazz Festival slated for Friday, March 21. Along with free performances by area high school jazz ensembles in the afternoon, the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre featuring the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock, and the Matt Wilson Quartet as guest artist.

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.

Comprised of New York based drummer and Grammy nominee Matt Wilson, bassist Chris Lightcap, Jeff Lederer on tenor saxophone and clarinet, and Kirk Knuffke on cornet, the Matt Wilson Quartet was formed in 1996.  As the quartet’s founder, Wilson is one of today's most celebrated jazz artists. He is universally recognized for his musical and melodic drumming style as well as being a gifted composer, bandleader, producer, and teaching artist. His positive energy, sense of humor and ability to explore a broad range of musical settings keeps him in constant demand. In addition, Wilson’s dedication to jazz has helped establish him as a beloved world ambassador for the music, on and off the bandstand.   

Wilson has performed with many music legends including Herbie Hancock, Elvis Costello, and Wynton Marsalis, and he has appeared on 250 CDs as a sideman and has released 9 as a leader for Palmetto Records as well as co-leading 5 additional releases.  Matt performed at the White House as part of an all-star jazz group for a State Dinner concert hosted by President Obama. He was named the artist in residence at the Litchfield Jazz Festival where he conducted a much-heralded public interview with Dave Brubeck. In 2010, Wilson conducted over 250 outreach programs promoting jazz including an acclaimed Jazz for Young Peoples concert at Lincoln Center.

In November 2009, Matt was featured on the covers of both Downbeat and JazzTimes magazines and was voted #1 Rising Star Drummer in the Downbeat Critic’s Poll for 5 consecutive years. The readers of JazzTimes recently chose him as one of the top 4 drummers in the 2010 Readers Poll. In 2003, he was voted Drummer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.

The high school and middle school performance schedule in Hugo Young Theatre is as follows:
1:00 p.m.         Ashland Middle School
1:30 p.m.         Wellington High School
2:00 p.m.         Ashland High School Jazz Band B
2:30 p.m.         Rittman High School
3:00 p.m.         Ashland High School Jazz Band A
3:30 p.m.         Orrville High School

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.

GUEST ARTISTS PERFORM SONGS OF BEETHOVEN

Ashland University Department of Music presents a guest artist recital, “Songs of Beethoven,” on Thursday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

This recital will feature sopranos Stephanie Sikora (Ashland University Professor of Voice) and Katharine DeBoer, tenor Timothy Johnson, and James Meadors on the guitar. This program of Beethoven songs with guitar transcriptions by James Meadors is presented in approximate chronological order by poet, which generally correlates with the order in which Beethoven set the texts. Of Beethoven’s sixty-six songs composed for accompaniment by the (then) new pianoforte, Meadors’ transcriptions favor those which are most adaptable to guitar. 

Two master classes will also be offered by guitarists Dr. Meadors and Dr. DeBoer on March 20. The two sessions are located in the Center for the Arts at 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in Rm. 102 and 12:15-1:05 p.m. in Rm. 242. These classes are free and open to public observation.

SPRING CHORAL CONCERT FEATURES FOUR VOCAL ENSEMBLES

Ashland University’s Spring Choral Concert features four University vocal ensembles including the Ashland University Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorus, and the student a cappella group Surround Sound on Sunday, March 16, 4:00 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 Chamber Singers performing J.S. Bach's Organ Fugue along with Daniel Gawthrop's "Sing Me to Heaven," and John David's "You Are the New Day." Dr. Blackley will also direct the University Choir which will be accompanied by University Organist Dr. Timothy Guenther.  The Choir will perform three pieces which were written by recent visiting artist Anthony Iannaccone along with Morten Lauridsen's "Sure on This Shining Night" and René Clausen's "All That Hath Life and Breath.

The Women's Chorus, directed by Dr. Marla Butke with pianists Holly Allen and Eddie Carney accompanying, will present Hans Leo Hassler's Cantate Domino, Alice Parker's arrangement of "'Tis the Gift to be Simple" and Pablo Casals' "Nigra Sun."

With DR Haught as music director, the student-run Surround Sound will perform popular tunes including Pentatonix's arrangement of Justin Bieber and Katy Perry's "As Long as You Love Me/Wide Awake," Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" and Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone."

ENTERTAINMENT POWERHOUSE APPEARING THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Ashland University Spectrum Series presents

THE DEPUE BROTHERS BAND

Live In Concert

Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Hugo Young Theatre, Ashland University 

For a preview of The DePue Brothers Band, click HERE.

TICKETS $15 adults | $12 senior citizens, non-AU students, AU faculty/staff

$10 groups of 10 or more | $2 AU student

BOX OFFICE 419.289.5125, noon to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday,

or online (additional fees apply) at www.ashland.edu/tickets

 

The 34th annual Ashland University Spectrum Series continues with the iconic musical family, The DePue Brothers Band, for a main stage performance, senior citizen matinee, and percussion clinic on March 14 and 15.

Originating from Bowling Green, Ohio, the DePue Brothers Band is an entertainment powerhouse encompassing a vivid blend of bluegrass, classical, and rock genres. Each brother is a classical violinist virtuoso in his own right, and brings rich and diverse talents to their sound. As a family they have been making music together for over 25 years. They were named “Musical Family of America” in 1989 by presidential decree, were the subject of a nationally televised PBS documentary in 1993, and two brothers (Jason and Zach) were featured in the film documentary Music From the Inside Out in 2005. Their first album as brothers, Classical Grass, sold out of its first printing.

For their visit to Ashland, violinists Wallace and Jason DePue join guitarist Mark Cosgrove, Mike Munford on banjo, Kevin MacConnell on bass, and percussionist Don Liuzzi.  Four members of this sextet have performed with the Philadephia Orchestra and several notable classical ensembles while others have performed with ensembles such as Philly Pops, POPG percussion group, Tony Trischka’s “Double Banjo Spectacular,” with jazz greats Mel Torme, Billy Eckstine, and international performers such as Natalie Cole, Merv Griffin and opera diva Denyce Graves. With this progressive mix of genres, the band gives a direct nod to their bluegrass tradition and their classical training, while adding a deeper infusion of rock and blues.

Their main stage performance will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hugo Young Theatre.  The high energy and diverse program will feature pieces from Aaron Copland’s Hoedown to Earl Scrugg’s Flint Hill Special, J. S. Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Van Halen’s Ice Cream Man and Rouse's Orange Blossom Special along with many others.

This artist residency has been awarded grant support from the National Endowment for the Arts; the Ohio Arts Council with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans; and the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments, the William Penn Foundation, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, and The Pew Charitable Trusts with administration by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. 

Also Presenting

FREE PERCUSSION WORKSHOP:
"The Role of the Roll"
with DePue Brothers percussionist and The Philadelphia Orchestra's principal timpanist Don Liuzzi
Friday, Mar. 14 at 1 p.m., Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall
Free & open to the public

MATINEE CONCERT:
for Senior Citizen Organizations & Other Groups
Saturday, Mar. 15 at 2 p.m., Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall
$2 per person - Reserve at 419.289.5950 or tapplega@ashland.edu

GARLOCK & FRIENDS TO PERFORM FAMOUS "JAY & KAI" ALBUM

The Department of Music at Ashland University presents a different kind of faculty recital featuring Dr. Scott Garlock and his friends as they perform the famous 1957 album "Jay and Kai" on Monday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public. 

For this unique concert, trombonist Dr. Garlock will be accompanied by Paul Ferguson, trombone, Timothy Powell, bass, Steven Brown, piano and Darren Allen, drums to perform the pieces from the original "Jay and Kai" album which featured JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombone with Dick Katz, Shadow Wilson and Milt Hinton as their rhythm section.  Ferguson, Garlock and Allen will also perform a trombone duet with drums entitled "747".  

As Professor of Music and Assistant Director of Bands at Ashland University, Dr. Garlock conducts the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra, combos and teaches the low brass studio. As a performer, Scott (a Jupiter Wind artist) has been featured with Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Diane Schuur, Carl Fontana, Paquito D'Rivera, Louie Bellson and others in addition to recording over 100 commercials and albums, including the Surprise of Being with Joe Lovano. He is a member of The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Cleveland Pops Orchestra and Mansfield Symphony Orchestra.  

Paul Ferguson is an award-winning composer/arranger who is the associate director of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and runs the jazz program at Case Western Reserve.  Tim Powell is on the faculty of the University of Akron and is the first call bass player for shows at Playhouse Square. Darren Allen is the drummer in the Dan Zola Orchestra and is the band director at Bay High School. Ashland University's Steve Brown is the director of graduate studies in Education and performs in many groups in the North Central Ohio region.