Percussion Ensemble Perfoms New Works, 11/25

On Monday, Nov. 25, at 7:30 p.m. under the direction of Liz Procopio, the AU Percussion Ensemble will present a concert of all contemporary works by modern composers including Music for Pieces of Wood by Steve Reich, In C by Terry Riley, and selections of Living Room Music by John Cage. In addition, the ensemble will perform the World Premieres of new works by AU composition studio students. The concert is free and open to the public.

Percussion Studio Recital, April 1

Under the direction of Elizabeth Procopio, the Ashland University Percussion Studio will perform a concert of a variety of works featuring different styles and instrumentation on April 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The event if free and open to the public. 

Comprised of music education majors, minors, and non-majors, the ensemble's students frequently perform with the University Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Orchestra, Ashland Area Community Concert Band, and many jazz combos in the department. The concert program will include J.S.Bach's "Gavotte" and "Bouree"; "Perpetual Motion" by Richard Weiner; "Head Talk" by Mark Ford; and "Akadinda Trio" by Emmanuel Sejourne.

Percussion, Fall Honors & Student Ensembles Recitals

The Department of Music at Ashland University announces a variety of recitals to close the fall semester including an all percussion recital, small ensembles recital which will feature brass, string and jazz groups, as well as the semi-annual Honors Recital showcasing the exceptional work by selected vocalists and instrumentalists. All of the concerts are free and open to the public and will be performed in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.

On Monday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. under the direction of Liz Procopio, the AU Percussion Ensemble will present a wide variety of works featuring different styles of music performed by Stefan Jonsson and Matt Long. The recital program will also include performances by the University Drumline and the Neutrals Percussion Duo.

The AU Drumline is part of the AU Eagle Marching band, which performs for all home games, as well as traveling to marching exhibitions throughout Ohio. Members include Jonsson, Anthony Brown, Dylan Feo, Paulina Seneff, Steven Shrenkel, Layne Spencer, Nicholas Stupka, Molly Willard and Tiffany Zeigler.

Based in Dayton and formed in 2016 by Evan Miller and Andrew Seivert, the Neutrals Percussion Duo combines their Rust Belt underground upbringings and classical training into a contemporary ensemble firmly grounded by their Midwestern roots. Equal parts written works and electroacoustic improvisation, Neutrals performs established percussion duo repertoire, drone-based sound explorations, and above all, commissioned works by living composers. Past and current collaborators include composers Rob Funkhouser, Nate May, Hugh Sheehan, and Brooks Frederickson, percussionist Aaron Michael Butler, Cincinnati experimental ensemble Knee Play, and Indianapolis-based production company NoExit Performance.

The best of Fall 2018 will be showcased at the Honors Recital on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.. Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as selected by their private teachers.

On Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., several student ensembles will perform in a joint recital including a jazz combo, brass ensemble and string ensemble under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, Joseph Lewis, Jr., and Jane Reed, respectively.

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.

Jazz Vocalist Jane Monheit Headlines Maplerock

Ashland University’s award-winning jazz program is proud to present the 2018 Maplerock Jazz Festival slated for Friday, March 16. Along with free performances by area school jazz ensembles from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre which features acclaimed Grammy-nominated vocalist Jane Monheit.

Monheit will perform as the headliner of the Jazz Festival's evening concert which will open with the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock. Ashland High School alumnus Chip Stephens, piano; Rich Shanklin, saxophone; and Bob Bonora, drums will join Monheit as guest artists on the evening program.

Blessed with “a voice of phenomenal beauty” (Stephen Holden, New York Times), Jane Monheit has had plenty of milestone moments in establishing herself as one of today’s best and most important vocalist-musicians. From being labeled a musical prodigy to her first runner-up finish in 1998’s Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition, Jane’s ingénue looks and passion for the Great American Songbook led her to producing Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald, her tenth studio recording since her 2000 debut, Never Never Land.

Monheit explains, "The Great American Songbook is always going to be the core for me. I have a real sense of pride and purpose about keeping it alive, bringing the music to new generations." It’s a national treasure. I’m really proud to be one of the singers that people want to hear handling that material.”

Jazz pianist Chip Stephens returns to his hometown to join Monheit at Maplerock. His collaborative, recording and world-wide touring with some of the legendary figures in the history of jazz would compile a dissertation. He has performed on Grammy and Emmy Award winning recordings and is sought after for his hard-swinging, powerful and lyrical pianism. As professor of jazz piano at the University of Illinois, Stephens has been consistently ranked in the top 10% of University of Illinois professors since 2005. He was recognized by the Provost, Vice Chancellor and the Committee on Tenure and Promotion as being “Extraordinary for the level of his Teaching and Collaborative Artistry.”

Saxophonist Rich Shanklin has been a faculty member at the University of Akron since 1982, where he teaches classical and jazz saxophone, coaches saxophone quartets, and teaches courses in jazz history, jazz arranging, woodwind pedagogy and the business of music. He has also directed the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He is a member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Unit, and the Blossom Festival Band, and has also played woodwinds for countless performances at Playhouse Square as a member of the pit orchestra.

Percussionist Bob Bonora has worked with a variety of entertainers, performing in virtually every hotel and showroom in Las Vegas. He currently is on the faculty of The College of Southern Nevada, where he is Lead Faculty for Music, coordinator of Percussion/Steel Drum and Drum Set Studies as well professor of History of Rock Music. Bob is also currently percussionist with Vegas! The Show at Planet Hollywood. He has performed as percussionist with The Wayne Newton Orchestra, and as a member of the Crimes Against Nature Band for the Emmy Award Nominated Penn & Teller television show “Sin City Spectacular.” He has also performed with an endless list of premier artists from Harry Connick, Jr. and Alicia Keys to Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. Bob has done work in many of the Broadway shows playing in Las Vegas including The Producers, Mama Mia, We Will Rock You, Avenue Q, Annie, and The Full Monty.

These four guest artists will conduct a public clinic with nine area school bands that will perform earlier in the day in Hugo Young Theatre. After each band performs their 30-minute concert, the guest artists will meet with the band and offer their expertise to strengthen the ensemble and individual musician's performance. The Jazz Festival's afternoon performances are scheduled as follows:

11:30 a.m. Foundation Academy Jazz Band

12:00 p.m. Ashland High School Jazz Band B

12:30 p.m. Lake High School Jazz Band

1:00 p.m. Rittman High School Jazz Band

1:30 p.m. Ashland High School Jazz Band A

2:00 p.m. GlenOak High School Jazz Band II

2:30 p.m. Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Jazz Ensemble

3:00 p.m. Galion High School Jazz Band

3:30 p.m. GlenOak High School Jazz Band I

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.

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.

Student Ensembles Concert, Dec. 5

Several chamber ensembles present the culmination of their semester rehearsals in a joint concert including brass, saxophone, string and percussion ensembles. The Student Ensembles Recital will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. Free & Open to the Public

Student Ensembles Recital, Dec. 6

On Tuesday, December 6 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. The concert is free and open to the public.

A Variety of Recitals to Close Spring Semester

The Department of Music announces a variety of recitals to close the spring semester, including small ensembles such as brass, saxophone, string, percussion and jazz combos, as well as vocal soloists. All of the concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall and are free and open to the public. 

On Thursday, April 21, various jazz combos under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock and Jeff Neitzke will perform a joint student ensembles recital along with a low brass ensemble also directed by Dr. Garlock.

Another student ensembles recital will be held on Monday, April 25, and will feature a brass ensemble under the direction of Michael Metcalf, a saxophone ensemble led by Dr. Thomas Reed, a percussion ensemble led by Mr. Neitzke and a string ensemble directed by Jane Reed.

The final recital of the semester features the best of spring 2016 at the Honors Recital on Monday, May 2. Students who accomplished exceptional musical work during the semester will showcase their vocal and instrumental talents as selected by their private teachers.

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.

JANUARY RECITALS ANNOUNCED

The Department of Music at Ashland University announces several senior recitals and a guest artist recital in January featuring brass, percussion and woodwinds.  All of the recitals are free and open to the public and are held in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts. 

Beginning this Sunday, January 12 at 1:00 p.m., the first recital of the year features senior music education major Stephen Morsher, percussion, along with guest performer Jake Lange. A graduate of Bellevue High School, Stephen studies percussion privately with Jeffrey Neitzke. 

The Ashland University flute studio is pleased to host guest artist Alison Brown Sincoff, associate professor of flute at Ohio University, for a masterclass and mini-recital on Thursday, January 16. The masterclass begins at 12:15 p.m. and features performances from all members of the flute studio.  From to 1:35 to 2:15 p.m., Professor Brown Sincoff will perform a mini-recital with pianist Gail Berenson. Known as the Ohio University Lyric Duo, both are highly recognized in their respective disciplines on both a national and international level. After numerous successful engagements, the duo became official in 2004 recognizing their mutual respect for each other's musical contributions and the positive energy achieved in their performances together. In addition to their recital performances, they are frequent master class and workshop presenters. 

On Sunday, January 19 at 3:00 p.m., Catherine Stone, clarinet, will perform her senior recital assisted by pianist Emily Grabinski. She will also be joined by guest performers including Emily Dine, Alex VanScoy and Robin Wolf on clarinet, and Devyn Renninger on flute. Catherine is a music education major and Spanish minor from Sarasota, Florida. She studies privately with Dr. Thomas Reed. 

The final recital in January presents Andrew Bartelheim for his senior recital assisted by Susan Gregg on piano on Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 p.m. Andrew is a graduate of Wooster High School and studies trumpet privately with Amanda Bekeny.

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES PERFORM INCLUDING BRASS, PERCUSSION, WOODWINDS AND STRINGS

The Department of Music at Ashland University is presenting two student ensembles recitals in December.  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 student ensembles recitals begin on Tuesday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. with a brass ensemble instructed by Michael Metcalf, a percussion ensemble instructed by Jeff Neitzke, and a flute ensemble instructed by Lindsey Goodman.

On Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m., the featured ensembles will include clarinet and saxophone ensembles led by Dr. Thomas Reed, a string ensemble directed by Jane Reed, and a trumpet ensemble instructed by Amanda Bekeny.

BEST OF SPRING 2013 FEATURED AT HONORS RECITAL

The Ashland University Department of Music presents the spring honors recital on Wednesday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. at the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts (formerly known as the Arts & Humanities Building).  The concert will showcase the department’s student musicians who accomplished exceptional work in the spring semester from instrumentalists including piano, percussion, guitar, trumpets and flute, to vocalists and an opera scene. The concert is free and open to the public.

Featured instrumentalists include seniors Ian Dively, trumpet; and Eddie Carney, piano; and Spencer Stadnik, guitar; juniors Andy Bartelheim, trumpet; Steve Morsher, percussion; and sophomore Devyn Renninger, flute.  Vocal performances will feature seniors Brandy Kay Riha, soprano; freshman Fatima Imani-Smith, soprano; along with a vocal ensemble performing a scene from the Pirates of Penzance including seniors Bret Cowden, baritone; Derek Jackenheimer, tenor; Katie Vargo, soprano; and Emily Plank, mezzo-soprano.

JANUARY RECITALS BEGIN THURSDAY NIGHT

The Department of Music at Ashland University presents several student recitals and a faculty recital in January featuring vocalists, a percussionist and organist.  All of the recitals are free and open to the public.  The student recitals are held in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall in the Center for the Arts (formerly known as the Arts & Humanities Building), and the faculty organ recital is slated for the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. 
 

The student recitals begin on Thursday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m. with a junior recital by soprano Kathryn Mounts.  She will perform with pianist Deb Logan and fellow soprano Erin Lingenfelter including classical pieces from Rossini, Shubert and Debussy to contemporary works by Ricky Ian Gordon and Stephen Schwartz. Kathryn is a graduate of Ashland High School and is a musical theatre and vocal performance major studying privately with vocal instructor Denise Howell.  

On Sunday, January 27 at 2:30 p.m., soprano Katie Vargo will perform her senior recital with pianists Pavlina Draganova and Kyle Gould, and Maggie Rickard on oboe.  Katie is a music education major and studies privately with vocal instructor Dione Bennett. She graduated from Riverside High School (Painesville, OH).  

Dr. Timothy Guenther

At 4:00 p.m. on January 27, University organist and instructor of music Dr. Timothy Guenther will perform a faculty recital on organ and harpsichord in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel. In addition to serving as the University Organist since 1996, Dr. Guenther also teaches applied organ and harpsichord, as well as courses in fundamentals of basic musicianship, and serves as accompanist as needed for the University Choir, Chamber Singers and Ashland Area Chorus. He holds degrees in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, the University of Alabama, and The American Conservatory of Music. He frequently performs as keyboardist for both the Ashland Symphony Orchestra and the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra. Rostered as an Associate in Ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he currently serves as Organist and Director of Music Ministry at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Columbus. He is active professionally in the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, the Hymn Society, the Organ Historical Society, the Reed Organ Society, the American Theatre Organ Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He also performs regularly on the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield. 

Also on January 27 at 7:30 p.m., percussionist Matthew Dawson will present his senior recital.  Matthew is from Perrysville, Ohio and is a graduate of Lexington High School.  He is a music education major studying privately with percussion instructor Jeff Neitzke.

SEVERAL STUDENT RECITALS SLATED FOR NOVEMBER

The Department of Music at Ashland University is presenting a full slate of student recitals in November including senior and junior recitals as well as student ensemble performances.  All of the student recitals 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 student recitals begin on Sunday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m. with a senior recital by Margaret Rickard on oboe.  She will be accompanied by pianist Pavlina Draganova and joined by guest musician Margaret Couts on oboe.  Margaret is a graduate of Cloverleaf High School (Lodi, OH), and is an instrumental music education major studying privately with oboist Andria Hoy.  

On Sunday, November 11 at 5:00 p.m., clarinetists Alex VanScoy and Katie Stone will present a joint junior recital.  They will be accompanied by pianist Pavlina Draganova and joined by guest clarinetists Robin Wolf and Janet Ankomah. Alex and Katie are music education majors and both study privately with Professor Thomas Reed. Alex graduated from Huron High School (Huron, OH) and Katie graduated from Riverview High School (Sarasota, FL).  

Also on November 11 at 7:30 p.m., Janet Ankomah will perform her senior recital on clarinet.  She will be accompanied by pianist Pavlina Draganova and joined by her applied Music Professor Thomas Reed on bass clarinet, and clarinetists Robin Wolf, Alex VanScoy, and Katie Stone. Janet is a native of Erie, PA and a graduate of Mansfield Senior High School studying music education with an instrumental emphasis.

The Jazz combos and percussion ensemble will present a student ensembles recital on Wednesday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m.  Under the direction of instructors Jeff Neitzke and Ashley Summers, these  ensembles will perform a wide variety of traditional and contemporary pieces.

On Thursday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m., the student chamber ensembles will each perform a selection of chamber music.  The ensembles include the brass under the direction of Michael Metcalf, clarinets with Dr. Reed, flutes with Jane Berkner and strings with Jane Reed.

The last student recital for the month is a senior recital with oboist Margaret Couts on Sunday, November 18 at 3:00 p.m.  She will be accompanied by pianist Pavlina Draganova and joined by guest musician Margaret Rickard, English horn. A graduate of Delaware Hayes High School (Delaware, OH), Margaret is an instrumental music education major studying privately with Andria Hoy.

For more information about the music department and a full events schedule, visit the Web site at www.ashland.edu/music or contact Tricia Applegate, coordinator of performing arts publicity and events, at 419-289-5950 or tapplega@ashland.edu.

WINTER FESTIVAL CONCERT FEATURING JAZZ ORCHESTRA, BRASS AND PERCUSSION ENSEMBLES

From the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra to the University brass and percussion ensembles, Ashland University’s first of two Winter Festival concerts will offer a full slate a musical treats. Free and open to the public, the concert is scheduled for Monday, December 5, 7:30 p.m. at the University’s Hugo Young Theatre. 

The concert will begin with the Ashland University Brass Ensemble directed by brass and horn instructor Michael Metcalf performing Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” followed by Morten Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium”, and “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” as arranged by Chris Woods.

Percussion instructor Jeffrey Neitzke will then direct the Ashland University Percussion Ensemble performing “Hitzacker Wasserspiele” by Matthias Kaul, “Ogoun Badagris” by Christopher Rouse, and two movements of James Tenney’s Three Pieces for Drum Quartet.

The concert will conclude with the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra (AUJO) directed by Dr. Scott Garlock, associate professor of music.  In addition to Bob Mintzer’s big band hit “Slo-Funk”, the program will be selected from a repertoire of holiday favorites including Paul Ferguson’s arrangement of “Auld Lang Syne”, Tom Kubis’ “Jingle Bells”,   John Berry’s “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow”, and Bryan Kidd’s “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  Vocal soloists Katie Vargo and Jacob Haury will be featured in “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” as Vargo also sings with the “Here Comes Santa Claus” medley.