AU Instrumental Ensembles Close Fall Music Events

The Department of Music at Ashland University concludes the fall semester featuring its instrumentalists with performances at the student chamber ensembles recital and the Winter Festival Band Concert. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

On Tuesday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, several student chamber ensembles perform including the saxophone ensemble under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, as well as brass, string and percussion ensembles instructed by Michael Metcalf, Jane Reed and Jeffrey Neitzke, respectively. Mr. Neitzke also leads a jazz combo which will perform.

On Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre, the Winter Festival Band Concert will present the Ashland University Wind Ensemble directed by Gary Ciulla, Ashland University Director of Bands, and the Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) under the direction of Leonard Salvo.

The Ashland University Wind Ensemble is comprised of the outstanding wind and percussion players at the University and from the community.  The ensemble begins Saturday's concert with Ralph Vaughan Williams' English Folk Song Suite followed by Samuel Hazo's "Whisper to Their Souls" which is based on "Greensleeves," and Robert Sheldon's collection of Irish street ballads, "Longford Legend." The Wind Ensemble closes their portion of the program with "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson.

After a brief intermission, the 65-member Ashland Area Community Concert Band takes the stage. Established in 1993, the ensemble is designed for both university students and members of the Ashland community to continue their musical study and creative activity. The Community Band's program begins with Clare Grundman's lovely and robust medley of sailing songs including "Hornet and Peacock," "Lowlands," "What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailer?" and "Rio Grande;" and is followed by Jan Van der Roost's "Rikudim" which includes four Israeli folk dances. Their program also includes Sousa's "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine," Holst's "In the Bleak Midwinter," and concludes with Sheldon's "A Most Wonderful Christmas."

TubaChristmas at AU This Saturday

The local holiday favorite TubaChristmas returns to Ashland University's Hugo Young Theatre on Saturday, December 5 at noon with Mayor Glen Stewart at the "Celebrity Tubist."  The concert is free and open to the public and invites area tuba, euphonium and baritone players to perform. Musician registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a rehearsal at 10:20 a.m.

TubaChristmas is an idea conceived by Harvey Phillips, Professor of Tuba at Indiana University. Mr. Phillips wanted to demonstrate to the public what a beautiful sound a mass ensemble of tubas and euphoniums could make and to provide an opportunity for fellow low brass players to celebrate the season with the community. TubaChristmas is dedicated to the memory of Mr. William J. Bell.  It’s a fun, holiday tradition the whole family can enjoy.

The registration fee for participating musicians is $10.00 and includes a 2015 TubaChristmas button.  The TubaChristmas carol book is also available for $10.00. Musicians are asked to bring their own folding stand.