OUTSTANDING MUSIC STUDENTS HONORED

Ashland University Department of Music recognized its outstanding students for 2013-2014 including: 

Honors Recipients: 

(l-r) Andy Bartelhiem, Morgan Mirtes, Caleb Stout, Grace Keller, Andrew Shaffer, Jacob Poiner, Eddie Carney, Katie Mounts, Katie Metz. Not Pictured: Alex VanScoy, Steve Morsher, Erin Lingenfelter, Paige Arthur

Spring Honors Recital Performers    

 

(front l-r) Caleb Stout, Andrew Shaffer, Deric Dove(back l-r) Emily Minns, Jacob Poiner, Katie Metz, Jaylynn Buchmelter, Katie Mounts, Rachel Crow, Kelsey Bowens, Samantha Diemer

SALVO CELEBRATED AT FINAL UNIVERSITY BAND CONCERT AFTER 26 YEARS ON THE ASHLAND PODIUM

Ashland University Department of Music concludes an eventful 2013-2014 academic year and the 26-year tenure of Professor Leonard Salvo as Director of Bands on Sunday, May 4, 4:00 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre with the annual Variable Winds Band Concert. Under the direction of Salvo, the Ashland University Concert Band and Ashland Area Community Concert Band will perform a program including pieces of celebration and song along with an opportunity to recognize senior Concert Band members for their dedication and contribution to the AU Band program. Admission to the concert is complimentary, open to the public and is a wonderful opportunity to congratulate Mr. Salvo on his retirement. 

The concert begins with the Ashland Area Community Concert Band performing John Williams' Midway March which was composed for the classic World War II motion picture Midway, followed by James Curnow's Freedom Road which is a set of variations based on the spiritual "Follow the Drinkin' Gourd." The third piece, Shenandoah, is described by composer Frank Ticheli as the "mood ranges from quiet reflection, through growing optimism, to profound exaltation." The Community Band concludes its portion of the concert with Songs of Earth, Water, Fire and Sky by Robert W. Smith who drew upon authentic Native American dances and chants as inspiration. 

After a brief intermission, the Ashland University Concert Band begins their portion of the concert with James Curnow's Fanfare and Flourishes for a Festive Occasion which is based on Marc-Atoine Charpentier's "Te Deum."  The concert continues with Gustav Holst's Second Suite in F for Military Band performed in four movements.  The first movement is a march using several English folk tunes followed by the ballad Song Without Words for the second movement, and Song of the Blacksmith for the third.  The fourth and final movement, Fantasia on the Dargason, is based on an English country-dance tune with each section of the band exchanging the tune back and forth in variation.  The AU Concert Band will then perform Edwin Franko Goldman's The Chimes of Liberty, one of the great patriotic marches of our time; and conclude with Chorale and Shaker Dance including variations of the well known Shaker hymn, Simple Gifts.

Leonard Salvo has served as director of bands at Ashland University since 1988. During that time he grew the Eagle Marching Band from 17 members to 85, and founded the Ashland Area Community Concert Band. In addition to his work with the University concert band, wind ensemble, community concert band and marching band, he taught courses in conducting and music education.

Before coming to Ashland, he held positions at Indiana State University as assistant director of bands, and as assistant band director for the University of Toledo.  Mr. Salvo also spent 17 years in the public schools of Michigan. During that time, bands under his direction gained a national reputation through performances for the Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinic (Chicago), The Mid-East Conference on Instrumental Music (Pittsburgh), The Midwestern Conference on School Vocal and Instrumental Music (Ann Arbor) and the Eastern Michigan Contemporary Music Festival, Karel Husa composer/conductor (Ypsilanti, MI).  Ensembles under his direction have received critical acclaim from some of the nation’s most respected composers and conductors including Robert Page, Donald Erb, Anthony Iannaccone, Claude T. Smith, William D. Revelli, H. Robert Reynolds, John Whitwell, Harry Begian, Mark Kelly and Karel Husa.

With a Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Michigan and a Master of Music degree from The University of Michigan, Mr. Salvo was also honored by The Music Department of Eastern Michigan University as an Outstanding Alumnus and was invited to serve as visiting lecturer and conductor. An active member several professional organizations he has twice been elected to serve as president of the Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association. He takes an active role in campus life and has been recognized as the Outstanding Advisor for Student Organizations at Ashland University for his work with the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity and university bands.  At the 2013 Ashland University Homecoming, Mr. Salvo was presented the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel by the State of Kentucky by former band members Jay & Kim Hartz 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.

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.

VOCAL ENSEMBLES PERFORM A CHORAL CONCERT OF LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC

The Ashland University choral program collaborates with the College of Arts & Sciences Symposium Against Indifference to present a concert of a variety of Latin American musical selections for voices. Featuring the Ashland University Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorus, and the student a cappella group Surround Sound, the concert will be held on Sunday, April 27, 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 singing in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin with some pieces including instrumental accompaniment.  With D. R. Haught on guitar, the Chamber Singers will perform Albert Hernandez's modern interpretation of a Venezuelan calypso, Goza Mi Calipso; while percussionist Jake Lange plays percussion on a variety of other pieces including Edmund Hughes' arrangement of the Brazilian folk song Eu e Voce.  The Chamber Singers will also present the first movement of Kyrie from "Missa ego flos campi" by the Mexican Renaissance composer Juan Gutierrez Padilla; and Fransisco Mignone's arrangement of the traditional Brazilian poem about a lovely woman with chestnut eyes, Morena, Morena.  

With recent graduate Jordan Black as the guest conductor and Holly Allan as accompanist, the Women's Chorus will perform the gently flowing "Barter" by Rene Clausen based on the poem written by Sara Teasdale; and the popular Mexican song Cielito Lindo.  The Women's Chorus will also present Alberto Favero's Te Quiero featuring a trio comprised of Stephanie Rankin, Marguerite Tryling and Elizabeth Papantonio. 

The Chamber Singers and Women's Chorus will perform as a combined ensemble for Ernanu Aguiar's "Salmo 150," a modern setting of the 150th Psalm.

EXCEPTIONAL MUSICIANS SELECTED FOR SPRING HONORS RECITAL

Ashland University Department of Music presents the best of Spring 2014 at the Honors Recital on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts. Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their vocal and instrumental talents. 

Featured instrumentalists include Jaylynn Buchmelter, trombone; Emily Minns, flute; Katie Metz, trumpet; and Rachel Crow, piano. Vocal performances will feature sopranos Katie Mounts and Kelsey Bowens, mezzo-soprano Samantha Diemer, tenors Caleb Stout and Jacob Poiner, and baritones Deric Dove and Andrew Shaffer.

AUJO PRESENTS JAZZ AT THE NEST, APR. 22

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, April 22 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 Bob Florence’s Be Bop Charlie,Benny Carter’s Miss Missouri and Jackson County Jubilee, and Matt Wilson’s 25 Years of Rootabagas. Other possible tunes include Fascinating Rhythm, Willow Weep for Me, and Deedles’ Blues.

TWO FUN EVENINGS OF OPERA SCENES & ICE CREAM

Ashland University Department of Music presents two evenings of opera scenes from The Marriage of Figaro to Carmen and Man of La Mancha.  The performances which are free and open to the public are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, 7:30 p.m. at the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

Under the direction of Stephanie Sikora, Professor of Music and Head of the Voice Area in the Department of Music at Ashland University, this annual event features vocal performances from twelve student singers. The female cast includes sopranos Abigail Brady, Rachel Gollhardt, Victoria Horak, Fatima Imani Smith, Grace Keller and Erin Lingenfelter along with mezzo-sopranos Andrea Disch and Alexandra Newhouse.  Male singers include tenor Caleb Stout, and baritones Darion Dow, Deric Dove and Andrew Shaffer.

With scenes from eight different operas each evening, the program presents scenes from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute, Strauss' Die Fledermaus, Loesser's The Most Happy Fella, Gilbert & Sullivan's Mikado, Bizet's Carmen, Leigh and Darion's Man of La Mancha, and Street Scene by Weill and Hughes as the grand finale including a special discount for audience members at Eva's Treats after each performance.