Madrigal Sales End Nov. 24

The Department of Music would also like to alert patrons that the last day to purchase tickets for the 40th Annual Madrigal Feaste is Tuesday, November 24. Seating is still available for the opening night performance on Wednesday, December 2, but all other performances only have single seats remaining.

The opening night performance offers a special discounted ticket for AU students at $11.  All performances begin at 6:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall. Tickets can be purchased through the Ashland University Box Office at 419.289.5125, or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets. Discounted tickets for University students and children can only be purchased directly through the box office and not online.

Winter Festival Jazz Concert, Nov. 23

The Ashland University Department of Music will present the Winter Festival Jazz Concert on Monday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. Under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock, the concert is free and open to the public.

The concert's program will be selected from pieces including Paul Ferguson's arrangement of Danny Boy, Peter Blair's arrangement of It Had to Be You, Thomas Reed's arrangement of Ray Charles' I've Got News for You, and Dennis Wilson's arrangement of Billie Holiday's Travelin' Light and many more.

Performers for Fall Honors Recital Announced

The Ashland University Department of Music announces the performers for the Fall 2015 Honors Recital to be held Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert showcases the best of fall 2015 and is free and open to the public.

Vocalists include Eryn Reynolds Tramel, Fatima Imani Smith, Corey Turpin, Elisha Hofer, Abigale Brady and Sarah Napier. Instrumentalists are saxophonists Jessica Barnhouse and Shayne Smith; Nik Psota, trumpet; Rachel Crow, piano; and Emily Minns, flute.

AU Music Alumna Wins A Cappella Contest

Brandy Riha, BA Music '13, won a contest for her a cappella arrangement of the song "Stitches" by Shawn Mendes. The competition was sponsored by the music notation and service Noteflight.  Brandy will receive prizes of sound equipment worth $1,500 and publication of the arrangement by Hal Leonard, the largest sheet music publisher in the world.  At Ashland Brandy studied music theory and composition with Dr. Alex Sanchez Behar, Associate Professor of Music, and was the founder of AU's a cappella vocal group "Surround Sound."  The advisor for "Surround Sound" is Dr. Ron Blackley, Professor of Music. Visit Noteflight's official announcement at: notes.noteflight.com/a-cappella-winner

Tickets on Sale for Handel's Messiah, Nov. 22

The Department of Music at Ashland University is proud to present George Frideric Handel's holiday masterpiece, Messiah, performed by the Ashland University Choir, Ashland Area Chorus and Ashland Chamber Orchestra with Dr. Rowland Blackley as conductor on Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre.

As the most famous oratorio ever written, Messiah is a collection of texts drawn from the sacred scriptures dealing with Christ’s birth, sufferings, death and resurrection. Best known for its "Hallelujah" chorus, the choral piece also features several well-loved recitatives and arias sung by soloists.

Dr. Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Ashland University, previously presented Handel’s Messiah at Ashland University in 2005 and 2010.  While conducting the University Choir and Chamber Singers, he also teaches in the areas of conducting and music education. He directs the annual Madrigal Feaste and has served as conductor and music director for several Ashland University theatrical productions. Ashland Area Chorus director Elizabeth Slade and staff accompanist Susan Gregg have assisted in preparing vocalists for the concert.

With over 100 musicians on the Hugo Young Theatre stage, Ashland University’s presentation will feature a professional orchestra including University organist Timothy Guenther on harpsichord along with University trumpet students Nik Psota (Hinckley) and Hannah Phillips (Plymouth).

Vocal solos will be performed by sopranos Abigale Brady (Ashtabula), Gracie Fumic (Avon), Elisha Hofer (Sandusky) and Fatima Imani Smith (Akron).  Alto soloists feature Sarah Napier (Willard) and Eryn Reynolds Tramel (Medina).  Male soloists are represented by tenor Corey Turpin (Ashland) and Timothy Johnson (a professionally trained vocalist from the Ashland Area Chorus); while baritones include Deric Dove (Newark) and Jake Riley (Wooster).

Reserved seating tickets for the performance are $8.00 for adults; $6.00 for senior citizens, non-Ashland University students, Ashland University faculty, staff and alumni; and $1.00 for Ashland University students. To purchase tickets, call the Ashland University Central Box Office at 419-289-5125, Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets.