Ashland Area Chorus Begins Rehearsals Jan. 13

The Ashland Area Chorus (AAC), under the direction of Libby Moore Slade, announces their spring schedule including rehearsals, concerts and membership requirements.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 13, Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7-8:45 p.m. in Room 242 of the Center for the Arts. This semester the Chorus will perform Beethoven's triumphal 9th Symphony with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra for their "Ode to Our 50th" concert on April 18 at Archer Auditorium.

Founded by Dr. Rowland Blackley in 1998, the AAC is dedicated to a mission of learning great music and singing it beautifully. The chorus is open to all singers from Ashland and surrounding counties and includes Ashland University faculty, staff and students as well as other singers from the wider community. Though no formal audition is required for membership, AAC members must be pitch accurate (sing 'on key') and be able to learn and perform their parts successfully. Previous choral experience is helpful.

Membership in AAC is open to all adults. Students still in high school may also participate with the permission of the ensemble's director. A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation in the ensemble for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office online at www.ashland.edu/tickets by clicking on the "Buy Single Tickets " icon.

For further information, contact the Chorus’ director Libby Slade at eslade@ashland.edu or (419) 685-5460.

Spring 2020 Music Event Schedule Released

The Spring 2020 music event schedule for Ashland University is now available online at ashland.edu/music or in hard copy through the Ashland University Box Office.

The schedule begins with Ashland Area Chorus rehearsals resuming on Monday, Jan. 13 and the hosting of the Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association (OPCICA) Honors Festival culminating with a free, public concert on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre.

From the annual Maplerock Jazz Festival to the spring opera scenes, choral and band concerts, faculty and guest artist recitals -- the schedule offers something for everyone and almost all of the performances are free and open to the public.

Be sure to review the schedule today and save the date for all of your favorites.

Annual Festival of Lights Service, 12/8

Ashland University will officially begin its observance of the holiday season with the 29th annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 8 in Ashland University’s Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, located at the intersection of King Road and College Avenue.

The 7 p.m. candlelight service, which is free and open to the public, symbolizes Christ coming into the world. The story is communicated in verse and song. It will include Scripture readings by Rob and Kim Pool, traditional carols, and seasonal choral music by the Ashland University Choir and Women’s Chorus, and the Ashland Area Chorus. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The Ashland University Choir is under the direction of Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music, while Elizabeth Slade directs the Ashland Area Chorus and Deborah Logan, the Women’s Chorus. Dr. Timothy Guenther, Susan Gregg and Jedidiah McFadden will accompany the choirs on organ and piano.

Musical selections will feature original works and settings of carols by a variety of composers including Duruflé, Praetorius, Purifoy, Vivaldi, Culloton, and Stopford.

Winter Band Concert Showcases a World Premiere & Xylophone Soloist

The Department of Music presents its annual Winter Festival Band Concert on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre. Under the direction of Joseph Lewis, Jr., the concert will feature the Ashland University Symphonic Band and the Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB). The concert will offer a program of classic compositions for concert band along with some holiday favorites. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Ashland University Symphonic Band is comprised of the outstanding wind and percussion players at the University. The ensemble's program will showcase guest percussionist Elizabeth Procopio on xylophone as she joins the Symphonic Band on Floyd Werle's The Golden Age of the Xylophone. The Band will also perform the World Premiere of Dr. Stefan Swanson's (Visiting Assistant Professor of Music) Women of World War II. This portion of the concert will also include performances of Sousa's Semper Fidelis March and Morton Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium.

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 a Spanish Pasodoble Amparito Roca and an arrangement of Holst's In the Bleak Midwinter. The program will also feature pieces with guest conductors Dave Wolbert, retired Ashland City Schools music teacher, and Sean DeLong, Band Director at Ontario Local Schools. The program will conclude with a sing along of many Christmas favorites.

TubaChristmas Returns to Ashland on Dec. 7

The local holiday favorite TubaChristmas returns to Ashland University's Hugo Young Theatre on Saturday, December 7 at Noon. 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 a.m. followed by a rehearsal at 10:20 a.m.

In addition to the volunteer performers, the event also showcases a "Celebrity Tubist" which this year is going to be a surprise guest and will be revealed by Dr. Scott Garlock, the event organizer, at the concert.

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 that the whole family can enjoy.

The registration fee for participating musicians is $10 and includes a 2019 TubaChristmas button. The TubaChristmas carol book is also available for $20.

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

Holiday Jazz Concert, Dec. 5

The Ashland University Department of Music will present an Ashland University Jazz Concert on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 pm in Hugo Young Theatre. The concert is free and open to the public.

Under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock, the concert will offer pre-concert music from the Lost and Profound jazz combo with Jared Metz on alto saxophone; Ariane Hill, flute, Alex Trotter, vibes; Torin Dunn, guitar; Alex Kwan, piano; Jackson Schultz, bass and Molly Winnard, drums.

The 4th annual AUJO Alumni Big Band will rehearse prior to the concert beginning at 6 p.m. for anyone who is interested in playing in the concert. They will perform selections beginning at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra's (AUJO) program of jazz standards and holiday favorites including Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, O Tannenbaum and Let It Snow.

The 2019-2020 AUJO roster includes saxophonists Jacob Moses, Logan O'Lasky, Hannah Smigel, Ariane Hill and Erika Wright; Nick Lawwill, Branden Barber, Nathan Roblin and Jacob Bodnar on trumpet; trombonists Luke Blackley, Colette Mooney, Eric Watts and Emily Schordock on mellophone; while the rhythm section consists of Moriah Goldsmith on piano, Susie Alley on bass, guitarist Torin Dunn, Molly Willard on drums and vocalist Alli Lange.

AUJO will have their holiday CD recording "AUJOy to the World" featuring vocals by Cathi Muckle available for purchase at the concert at $10 each.

Clarinets, Flutes, Brass & Strings Perform, 12/4

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., several student ensembles will perform in a joint recital including a clarinet trio and the Flute Loops Jazz Combo under the direction of Dr. Thomas Reed, a brass ensemble directed by Joseph Lewis Jr. and a string ensemble directed by Jane Reed. The concert is free and open to the public.