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.

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.

SPECTRUM SERIES PRESENTS PARAGON RAGTIME ORCHESTRA

The 34th annual Ashland University Spectrum Series begins by travelling back in time to the 19th century with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra presenting their holiday program 'Round the Christmas Tree on Friday, December 6, 7:30 p.m. at Hugo Young Theatre.

This stylish and warm-hearted tribute to America’s Holiday musical traditions features favorite selections from the theatres, ballrooms, grand mansions and humble hearthsides of the Victorian era. The concert will include familiar Christmas songs and carols from their original 19th century scores, along with novelties including a ragtime version of the Nutcracker Suite and sparkling instrumental and vocal soloists. As a finale to the concert, the Orchestra accompanies a screening of one of the world’s first Christmas silent films from 1905 by Thomas Edison.

In addition to the main stage concert, the Orchestra's conductor Rick Benjamin, will present a free workshop on the history of early cinema and film underscoring on Friday, December 6 at 10 a.m. on the Hugo Young Theatre stage.  Benjamin, leading conductor of music for silent film with more than 600 screenings to his credit, will lead participants on a journey to the early 20th Century when downtown Ashland was home to several silent movie houses as the cultural center for all ages in the community.  

Area schools, senior citizen organizations and other groups are invited to a special 1-hour matinee performance of 'Round the Christmas Tree on December 6 at 1:30 p.m. Admission for this intergenerational matinee performance is $2 per person.  Reservations should be made directly with Tricia Applegate at 419.289.5950 to secure group seating.

Season tickets are now available for the entire Spectrum Series at the Ashland University Box Office.  Season tickets include admission to all three mainstage shows with at least a 20 percent discount to single ticket prices.  Season tickets for all three performances are: $28 for adults; and $23 for senior citizens, non- Ashland University students and Ashland University faculty/staff.  Single tickets are: $15 for adults; $12 for senior citizens, non-Ashland University students, University faculty/staff; $10 for groups of 10 or more; and $2 for Ashland University students with ID.

To purchase season or individual tickets, contact the Ashland University Box Office by phone at 419-289-5125, or in person in the lobby of Hugo Young Theatre located at the corner of College Avenue and Grant Street.  Hours are Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Tickets are also available on-line at www.ashland.edu/tickets where additional fees apply. 

AU WIND ENSEMBLE & ASHLAND COMMUNITY BAND CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON & REFLECT ON DEC. 7

Under the direction of Leonard Salvo, Ashland University Director of Bands, the Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) and Ashland University Wind Ensemble present their annual Winter Festival Concert on Saturday, December 7, 7:30 p.m. at the University’s Hugo Young Theatre.  Featuring music celebrating the holiday season and reflecting on the events of December 7, the concert is free and open to the public.

The 40-piece 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 Anthony Iannaccone's "Plymouth Trilogy" comprised of three contrasting movements including a saxophone solo, followed by Hymn of St. James by Reber Clark which is based on the hymn "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence." The Wind Ensemble concludes their portion of the program with Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," one of the world's most popular pieces of Christmas music.

After a brief intermission, the 55-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.  In 1995, it was recognized by Cleveland's WCLV FM as "one of Ohio's finest Community Concert Bands."  The Band begins their program with "Midway March" by John Williams followed by Claude T. Smith's arrangement of "God of Our Fathers."  The third piece of the program includes selections from Lionel Bart's delightful musicalOliver! including Consider Yourself, Where Is Love, I'd Do Anything and Who Will Buy. The Band will then perform Robert Palmer's "Overture on a Southern Hymn" which is based on one of the most popular Southern folk hymn tunes "Wondrous Love."  The concert concludes with Robert Sheldon's arrangement A Most Wonderful Christmas which includes Winter Wonderland, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. 

TUBACHRISTMAS RETURNS TO HUGO YOUNG THEATRE

After a one year absence due to a faculty study leave, 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 10:00 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 2013 TubaChristmas button.  The TubaChristmas carol book is also available for $10.00. 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, or visit www.ashland.edu/music and facebook.com/AshlandUniversityMusic.