GUEST ARTISTS PERFORM SONGS OF BEETHOVEN

Ashland University Department of Music presents a guest artist recital, “Songs of Beethoven,” on Thursday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

This recital will feature sopranos Stephanie Sikora (Ashland University Professor of Voice) and Katharine DeBoer, tenor Timothy Johnson, and James Meadors on the guitar. This program of Beethoven songs with guitar transcriptions by James Meadors is presented in approximate chronological order by poet, which generally correlates with the order in which Beethoven set the texts. Of Beethoven’s sixty-six songs composed for accompaniment by the (then) new pianoforte, Meadors’ transcriptions favor those which are most adaptable to guitar. 

Two master classes will also be offered by guitarists Dr. Meadors and Dr. DeBoer on March 20. The two sessions are located in the Center for the Arts at 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in Rm. 102 and 12:15-1:05 p.m. in Rm. 242. These classes are free and open to public observation.

SPRING CHORAL CONCERT FEATURES FOUR VOCAL ENSEMBLES

Ashland University’s Spring Choral Concert features four University vocal ensembles including the Ashland University Choir, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorus, and the student a cappella group Surround Sound on Sunday, March 16, 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 performing J.S. Bach's Organ Fugue along with Daniel Gawthrop's "Sing Me to Heaven," and John David's "You Are the New Day." Dr. Blackley will also direct the University Choir which will be accompanied by University Organist Dr. Timothy Guenther.  The Choir will perform three pieces which were written by recent visiting artist Anthony Iannaccone along with Morten Lauridsen's "Sure on This Shining Night" and René Clausen's "All That Hath Life and Breath.

The Women's Chorus, directed by Dr. Marla Butke with pianists Holly Allen and Eddie Carney accompanying, will present Hans Leo Hassler's Cantate Domino, Alice Parker's arrangement of "'Tis the Gift to be Simple" and Pablo Casals' "Nigra Sun."

With DR Haught as music director, the student-run Surround Sound will perform popular tunes including Pentatonix's arrangement of Justin Bieber and Katy Perry's "As Long as You Love Me/Wide Awake," Cee Lo Green's "Forget You" and Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone."

ENTERTAINMENT POWERHOUSE APPEARING THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY

Ashland University Spectrum Series presents

THE DEPUE BROTHERS BAND

Live In Concert

Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Hugo Young Theatre, Ashland University 

For a preview of The DePue Brothers Band, click HERE.

TICKETS $15 adults | $12 senior citizens, non-AU students, AU faculty/staff

$10 groups of 10 or more | $2 AU student

BOX OFFICE 419.289.5125, noon to 6 p.m., Monday - Friday,

or online (additional fees apply) at www.ashland.edu/tickets

 

The 34th annual Ashland University Spectrum Series continues with the iconic musical family, The DePue Brothers Band, for a main stage performance, senior citizen matinee, and percussion clinic on March 14 and 15.

Originating from Bowling Green, Ohio, the DePue Brothers Band is an entertainment powerhouse encompassing a vivid blend of bluegrass, classical, and rock genres. Each brother is a classical violinist virtuoso in his own right, and brings rich and diverse talents to their sound. As a family they have been making music together for over 25 years. They were named “Musical Family of America” in 1989 by presidential decree, were the subject of a nationally televised PBS documentary in 1993, and two brothers (Jason and Zach) were featured in the film documentary Music From the Inside Out in 2005. Their first album as brothers, Classical Grass, sold out of its first printing.

For their visit to Ashland, violinists Wallace and Jason DePue join guitarist Mark Cosgrove, Mike Munford on banjo, Kevin MacConnell on bass, and percussionist Don Liuzzi.  Four members of this sextet have performed with the Philadephia Orchestra and several notable classical ensembles while others have performed with ensembles such as Philly Pops, POPG percussion group, Tony Trischka’s “Double Banjo Spectacular,” with jazz greats Mel Torme, Billy Eckstine, and international performers such as Natalie Cole, Merv Griffin and opera diva Denyce Graves. With this progressive mix of genres, the band gives a direct nod to their bluegrass tradition and their classical training, while adding a deeper infusion of rock and blues.

Their main stage performance will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hugo Young Theatre.  The high energy and diverse program will feature pieces from Aaron Copland’s Hoedown to Earl Scrugg’s Flint Hill Special, J. S. Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Van Halen’s Ice Cream Man and Rouse's Orange Blossom Special along with many others.

This artist residency has been awarded grant support from the National Endowment for the Arts; the Ohio Arts Council with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans; and the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments, the William Penn Foundation, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, and The Pew Charitable Trusts with administration by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. 

Also Presenting

FREE PERCUSSION WORKSHOP:
"The Role of the Roll"
with DePue Brothers percussionist and The Philadelphia Orchestra's principal timpanist Don Liuzzi
Friday, Mar. 14 at 1 p.m., Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall
Free & open to the public

MATINEE CONCERT:
for Senior Citizen Organizations & Other Groups
Saturday, Mar. 15 at 2 p.m., Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall
$2 per person - Reserve at 419.289.5950 or tapplega@ashland.edu

GARLOCK & FRIENDS TO PERFORM FAMOUS "JAY & KAI" ALBUM

The Department of Music at Ashland University presents a different kind of faculty recital featuring Dr. Scott Garlock and his friends as they perform the famous 1957 album "Jay and Kai" on Monday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public. 

For this unique concert, trombonist Dr. Garlock will be accompanied by Paul Ferguson, trombone, Timothy Powell, bass, Steven Brown, piano and Darren Allen, drums to perform the pieces from the original "Jay and Kai" album which featured JJ Johnson and Kai Winding on trombone with Dick Katz, Shadow Wilson and Milt Hinton as their rhythm section.  Ferguson, Garlock and Allen will also perform a trombone duet with drums entitled "747".  

As Professor of Music and Assistant Director of Bands at Ashland University, Dr. Garlock conducts the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra, combos and teaches the low brass studio. As a performer, Scott (a Jupiter Wind artist) has been featured with Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Diane Schuur, Carl Fontana, Paquito D'Rivera, Louie Bellson and others in addition to recording over 100 commercials and albums, including the Surprise of Being with Joe Lovano. He is a member of The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Cleveland Pops Orchestra and Mansfield Symphony Orchestra.  

Paul Ferguson is an award-winning composer/arranger who is the associate director of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and runs the jazz program at Case Western Reserve.  Tim Powell is on the faculty of the University of Akron and is the first call bass player for shows at Playhouse Square. Darren Allen is the drummer in the Dan Zola Orchestra and is the band director at Bay High School. Ashland University's Steve Brown is the director of graduate studies in Education and performs in many groups in the North Central Ohio region.

COMPOSER/CONDUCTOR IANNACCONE FEATURED AS 2014 GRETCHEN FRENCH VISITING ARTIST

Award-winning composer and conductor Anthony Iannaccone has been selected for the 2014 Gretchen French Visiting Artist Series in Music at Ashland University.  Dr. Iannaccone will visit Ashland University on February 25 and 26 to present lectures about his music and conduct two concerts performing his original compositions. All of the events featuring Dr. Iannaccone are free and open to the public.

The residency begins on Tuesday, February 25 at 1:40 p.m. in Room 303 of the Center for the Arts with Dr, Iannaccone's lecture focusing on a selection of his original compositions.  At 7:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, the Ashland University Faculty Chamber Ensemble will perform a recital featuring music by Composer Iannaccone. The recital program will include: 

• Trio for flute, clarinet and piano with guest artist Denise Krain, flute; Thomas Reed, clarinet; Susan Gregg, piano  
• Toccata Fanfares for brass ensemble with a faculty/student ensemble including Scott Garlock and Mike Metcalf 
• Night Song for euphonium and piano with Scott Garlock  
• Remembrance for saxophone and piano with Thomas Reed 
• Various songs with soprano Stephanie Sikora 

On Wednesday, February 26 at 2 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts, Dr. Iannaccone will continue his visit with his second lecture which will focus on contemporary Classical music.  At 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre, his visit at Ashland University will conclude with him conducting some of his pieces at a concert by the Ashland University Choir and Concert Band. The concert program will be selected from Iannaccone’s pieces including:

With the Ashland University Concert Band:
After a Gentle Rain (conducted by Dr. Iannaccone)
Plymouth Trilogy 
Psalms for a Great Country 
Scherzo

With the Ashland University Choir: 
The Soul's Expression (conducted by Dr. Iannaccone)
The Sky Is Low  
Song of Thanks
Exsultate

The Gretchen French Endowed Visiting Artist Series at Ashland University was established through a bequest from the estate of Gretchen French.  Although Ms. French never attended Ashland University, it was through close friends and alums, Phillip (‘53) and Jean (‘55) Lersch, that she decided Ashland was well suited to demonstrate in perpetuity her values and hopes for young people. Her entire life was dedicated to people, placing others' needs before her's by unselfishly serving them, in particular her family and many, many young musicians.  This is a fitting tribute to her and will be a continual reminder of her love not only of music but most importantly people.

The goal of the Series is to provide Ashland University students close contact and mentoring with an outstanding visiting musician/music teacher. The particular field of expertise for the Series will vary from year to year. It is a goal of the Series to find Visiting Artists that have the widest possible expertise and appeal to students in various areas of music study.

Dr. Iannaccone studied at the Manhattan School of Music and the Eastman School of Music. His principal teachers were Vittorio Giannini, Aaron Copland, and David Diamond. His catalogue of approximately 50 published works includes three symphonies, smaller works for orchestra, several large works for chorus and orchestra, numerous chamber pieces, large works for wind ensemble, and several extended a cappella choral compositions. His music is performed by major orchestras and professional chamber ensembles in the U.S. and abroad. He is an active conductor of both new music and standard orchestral repertory. Since 1971, he has taught at Eastern Michigan University, where, for 30 years he conducted the Collegium Musicum.

Iannaccone’s works have won many first prizes in national and international competitions while several of his works for chamber and large ensembles have entered the standard repertory. He has received grants, awards, and commissions from numerous institutions, orchestras, foundations, and organizations, such as the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, the National Endowment for the Arts, ASCAP and the Eastman School of Music, among many others. Recent commissions include a quintet for clarinet and strings for Richard Stoltzman, a choral work for the Ithaca College School of Music, and an orchestral work for the Dearborn Symphony.

Describing his music, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians states, "organic growth inspires music of great strength and formal clarity, as opening bars generate the textural and thematic contours that forge contrasting sections of reflection and cross-rhythmic dynamism."

JUNIOR FLUTISTS PRESENT RECITAL FEB. 13

The Department of Music at Ashland University presents a junior recital featuring two flutists on Thursday, February 13 at 8:30 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. The recital is free and open to the public.

Junior music education majors Don Haught and Devyn Renninger study flute privately at Ashland University with Lindsey Goodman. Don is a graduate of Wooster High School and Devyn graduated from Norton High School. Accompanied by pianist Sue Gregg, the recital program will include Miss Renninger performing Fikret Amirov's Six Pieces for Flute and Piano, and Thomas Reed's arrangement of Georges Bizet's Carmen Suite with guest performer Katie Stone on clarinet. Mr. Haught will present the third movement of Mozart's Concerto No. 1 in G, and Francis Poulenc's Sonate pour Flûte et Piano.  Don and Devyn will also perform as a duet on Ian Clarke's "Maya."

AU BAND MEMBERS AND DIRECTOR PERFORM AT SEVERANCE HALL

Six members of the Ashland University Concert Band and two members of the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra were selected to be members of the 2014 Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association All Ohio Collegiate Honors Concert Band and Honors Jazz Ensemble.  In addition, Ashland University Director of Bands Leonard Salvo was selected as a conductor for this year's Honors Concert Band. The 26^th Annual OPCICA Honors Festival was hosted on February 1 and 2 by Case Western Reserve University and the concert was held in Severance Hall in Cleveland, Ohio.

Those selected for the Honors Concert Band were music education majors Paige Arthur (Danville), Hannah Phillips (Plymouth), Shayne Smith (Bellevue), and Alexandria VanScoy (Huron); music major Jake Lange (Dublin) and dietetics major Natalie Hritz (Seven Fields, Pennsylvania).  Those selected for the Honors Jazz Ensemble were music education majors Andrew Bartelheim (Wooster) and Jaylynn Buchmelter (Wintersville).

The Conductors selected for this years Honors Concert Band were Leonard Salvo, from Ashland University; Robert Gibson, from Ohio Dominican University; Barry Kopetz, from Capital University; Dwight Oltman, from Baldwin-Wallace University; and Marshall Kimball, from Marietta College. The Honors Jazz Ensemble directors this year were Jack Taylor, from the University of Findlay; and Paul Ferguson, from Case Western Reserve University.  

Nominations for the Honors Band and Jazz Ensemble were submitted by conductors at each of the member institutions.  These students were selected from over 150 nominees. Both ensembles rehearsed for two days and then presented a gala concert in one of the world’s finest concert venues Severance HalL.

The Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association, founded in 1987, held its first collegiate honors band festival on January 24, 1988 at Capital University.  Currently comprised of 20 member colleges and universities, the primary purpose of the organization is to develop a closer network of communication and resource sharing among the instrumental departments, divisions, or conservatories of the various privately funded institutions of higher education within the state of Ohio.  An additional purpose is to sponsor an annual honors festival featuring an Honors Concert Band and an Honors Jazz Ensemble comprised of instrumental students from the participating schools.  These festivals have enriched the lives of thousands of college instrumentalists as well as the conductors from the member institutions.  The students are together for two days, and prepare the concert in three rehearsal.