Mayor Miller to Give Encore Performance at TubaChristmas

The local holiday favorite TubaChristmas returns to Ashland University's Hugo Young Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. with Ashland City Mayor Matt Miller performing as the "Celebrity Tubist." This will be Mayor Miller's encore performance as he was the "Celebrity Tubist" last year. He had never played a musical instrument before and had a 30-minute lesson before the 2017 event. We are anxious to see if he has been practicing over the past year.

The concert is free and open to the public and invites area tuba, euphonium and baritone players to perform. Musician registration will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a rehearsal at 9:20 a.m. Everyone should note that this year's event is an hour earlier than last year's.

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 and includes a 2018 TubaChristmas button. The TubaChristmas carol book is also available for $20. Musicians are asked to bring their own folding stand.

For more information, contact Professor of Music Dr. Scott Garlock at 419.289.5134 or sgarlock@ashland.edu

Watts Presents Original Compositions

Sophomore music and computer science dual major Eric Watts (Ontario) will present a concert of his original compositions titled "Paperclips: An evening of music for trombones" on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Eric composed several pieces for a trombone quartet over this past summer and then received further guidance from Dr. Stefan Swanson, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, who has composed over 100 film and concert scores.

Eric's program for Saturday's concert will be selected from his following pieces:

• Chaconne from First Suite in Eb
• I Love You but Don't Like You
• If Only it Wasn't for my Crooked Peg Leg 
• Trombone Quartet 5
• Having Anxiety Gives Me Anxiety
• Equal

Trombonists participating in the concert are current AU students and alumni including the composer, Matthew MacDonald, Kyle Ackert and Jaylynn Buchmelter.

Percussion Clinic/Concert, Nov. 11

Join us for a free Percussion Clinic & Concert featuring Trommelgroep West-Nederland on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. TWN will discuss the history, styles, and performance practices of Swiss drumming in a clinic format then perform a short concert showcasing this extraordinary style of traditional drumming through excellent musicianship and mastery.

Lewis' Career in Music and the Military Leads Him to AU

Joseph Lewis, Jr., Ashland University Director of Bands, is honored to have a career which combines his two worlds of music and the military. Not only will he lead the Ashland University Eagle Marching Band into Jack Miller Stadium for the football game against Northern Michigan on Nov. 10, but he will also recognize fellow military men and women for their service at a special halftime show in observance of Veterans Day.

Lewis' journey into a career combining music and the military began in the summer of 2000 when he enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard, attended ten weeks of basic training and completed 3 weeks on-the-job training.

After completing the necessary steps to become a member of the Ohio National Guard's 122nd Army Band, he then enrolled as a music education and trombone performance major at the Ohio State University in January of 2001, and went on to earn his masters in music education from Bowling Green State University. In 2014, he attended Warrant Officer Candidate School to become the new 122nd Army Band Commander after a 15-year tenure in the band.

His journey then took a turn which led him to Ashland University when he was named the Director of Bands for the 2017-2018 academic year. Now in his second year at AU, he is making great strides in enhancing the Eagle Marching Band and Symphonic Band programs while continuing his leadership with the 122nd Army Band.

As the leader of both programs, Lewis is responsible for everything from recruiting and auditioning new members, to managing the various ensembles, selecting the repertoire and organizing the "missions" (the military term for their events including military ceremonies, military balls, honorable transfer of remains, and concert tours).

Lewis sees multiple benefits from working for both organizations which he has already implemented. Earlier this fall he collaborated with the Ashland High School (AHS) music department who hosted the 122nd's Flashback Rock Band for a day of workshops with the high school students as well as a public concert that evening. Joe emphasized that "the concert was good, but the workshopping with the high school students was great." Later in the semester, the AHS and AU Marching Bands performed a joint halftime show at each other's home games with over 200 musicians. These are great recruiting opportunities for the 122nd Army Band and the Ashland University Band.

For students looking to enroll in a college music program, there are great benefits for serving in the 122nd Army Band including scholarships, tuitiion assistance, student loan repayment program and G.I. Bill cash assistance for educational expenses such as books, housing, food and more. For a six year commitment of attending drill one weekend per month along with an additional 15 days through the year to perform in parades, public concerts, and ceremonies -- these benefits could be someone's opportunity for a college degree. The scholarship program covers up to 100% tuition paid to any state-supported school within the state of Ohio, or up to the amount of the highest state school tuition in Ohio towards a private university education.

To become a musician with the 122nd Army Band which is considered a "civilian acquired skill," those interested should contact Lewis through the Band's Web site or Facebook page to schedule an audition. The audition is comprised of two portions consisting of prepared and quickly prepared performance. For the prepared portion, auditionees must prepare at least three contrasting pieces which emphasize their technical, musical, and stylistic abilities. The evening before the audition, auditionees will be sent a packet of music of varying styles which will judge their ability to quickly prepare for a short-notice performance. Out of the 40-point audition scoring, a score of at least an 18 is needed to quality. Lewis makes it clear to those enlisting that they must also audition for the Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at the Army School of Music in Virginia Beach, be admitted and complete their 10-week training.

Throughout his career, it has been Mr. Lewis' goal to teach at the college level which he has met at Ashland University where he invites all military veterans to this Saturday's 1 p.m. football game to be recognized for their service on the field at halftime. Veterans will receive one free game ticket upon arrival at the stadium. To secure their ticket, veterans should contact Joe Lewis at jlewisjr@ashland.edu or 419.289.5132.

Remembering Liz

Dear Friends:

We are saddened to announce the passing of Elizabeth Pastor, a truly amazing person who meant a great deal to her students, friends and colleagues over her long life.

Liz taught piano at Ashland College/University from 1947 to 2014! She also taught piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music for many decades and at her home until a few weeks ago. She was a demanding, inspiring and persistent teacher, who always kept the focus on playing with beauty, expression and musicianship. She gave huge amounts of extra time to students preparing for recitals and juries. She taught students from absolute beginners to advanced students embarking on professional careers.

Liz received her artist’s diploma at the age of eighteen from Boston’s Longy School of Music. She studied piano with Boris Goldovsky, Carl Frieberg, Beryl Rubinstein and Arthur Loesser. She made her debut at Town Hall, New York and made solo appearances with leading orchestras throughout the country including the Cleveland Orchestra, the NBC Symphony in New York, the Boston Pops, the Las Vegas Philharmonic and various Ohio orchestras including Mansfield, Wooster and Ashland. She performed in solo recitals throughout the United States as well as being a participant in many chamber music concerts.

In 1987, Liz was named Ashland University’s second Trustees’ Distinguished Professor, an academic honor awarded by the University’s Board of Trustees to a professor who is recognized as an outstanding educator, performer and campus leader. She was chairperson of the Ashland University Music Department from 1983-1987, had an extensive record of serving on University faculty committees and was a multiple-year recipient of the AU Mentor Award.

Also an avid collector of contemporary art, her home and her yard are an amazing array of unique sculptures, paintings, sketches, mobiles, furniture, etc. Her office in 209 CFA was a miniature art gallery as well.

Liz was a community activist, using her clout to advocate for the preservation of historical buildings in Ashland. She helped bring speakers to Ashland on a variety of topics outside of music, including environmental and social issues.

She co-founded Ashland University’s Spectrum Series which hosted world-renowned performers and speakers from 1980 to 2014. She also regularly brought outstanding musicians to Ashland for recitals, sometimes at her own expense, and initiated the Music Department’s tradition of attending Cleveland Orchestra concerts as a group.

Her passion for great music, for helping others succeed and for her community is a great example to us all, and we will miss her.

From the Department of Music
Tom Reed, Chair