Saturday, February 23, 2013


Vipisa Trio Champions New Music at HSU

 The Vipisa Trio (Cindy Moyer on violin, Virginia Ryder on saxophone and clarinet and John Chernoff on piano) performs a program of new musical works by composers associated with Humboldt State on Saturday, February 23 in Fulkerson Recital Hall. 

 The Trio will play the world premieres of new works by HSU composition professor J. Brian Post and the Trio’s own John Chernoff, as well as compositions by HSU alums Dante De Silva and Halim Beere. Members of the trio are so committed to new work that they sponsored a composition contest among HSU students. They will play the winning piece by Justino Perez. 

 “The music is all different,” said violinist Cindy Moyer, “so even if it’s all new, there will be something that everyone can enjoy.” 

 “John’s piece is very Romantic in style, for example—including an amusing set of variations on ‘There’s a Hole in the Bucket.’ Dante’s piece called ‘Mr. Distinguished’ features the Trio playing along with an edited and manipulated recording of a man reading a section of an old Emily Post etiquette book.” 

 The other compositions are “Rhubarb for violin, alto saxophone and piano” by Halim Beere, a three-movement work entitled “Set-Rows-Free” by Brian Post and “Trio for violin, saxophone and piano” by Justino Eustacio Perez.

 The Vipisa Trio performs on Saturday February 23 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. $8/$3 from HSU Box Office (826-3728) or at the door. A Faculty Artists Concert produced by the HSU Music Department. 

Media: Humboldt State Now, Arcata Eye, Tri-City Weekly
Vipisa Trio Music of Humboldt Composers: The Program



 Vipisa Trio: Cindy Moyer, violin Virginia Ryder, saxophone and clarinet John Chernoff, piano.


Rhubarb for violin, alto saxophone, and piano
by  Halim Beere

Set-Rows-Free for violin, alto saxophone, and piano  by J. Brian Post
 Set
 Rows
 Free

Mr. Distinguished for violin, alto saxophone, and piano and pre-recorded electronics  by Dante De Silva

 Trio for violin, saxophone, and piano by  Justino Eustacio Pérez

 Trio for violin, saxophone/clarinet, and piano by  John Chernoff
 Allegretto
 Nocturne: Andante
 Misterioso
 Theme and Variations


Meet the Composers:

 The music of Halim Beere explores the three intersecting worlds of purely acoustic instrumental composition, electro-acoustic fixed media works, and real-time computer generated compositions, such as interactive computer music and livecoding. Raised in Eureka,  Beere received his Bachelor’s from Humboldt State University in violin performance and composition, studying under Cindy Moyer and Brian Post. He completed his Master’s in composition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he is currently a doctoral candidate, studying under Erik Lund, Stephen Taylor, Heinrich Taube, and Scott A. Wyatt.

 In addition to writing chamber and concert music, he has composed for theatrical productions (The Five Dollar Show) and a feature length film (The Milk Can). The ARMAC orchestra commissioned and premiered Gambol for Orchestra at Carnegie hall in 2009. Pangæa, his commissioned first symphony, received its world premiere in October of 2010. Further commissions have come from the MEANS Ensemble, the Belden Trio of Chicago, Mise-en of New York, and the Illinois Modern Ensemble. The award winning saxophone duet Ogni Suono recently premiered Roya on a European tour, and his compositions have also been read by the JACK quartet and the Ensemble Dal Niente, and programmed on concerts with Bang on a Can. His electronic works were featured at SEAMUS national conferences, at Electronic Music Midwest, and on Measures of Change, a recent CD release of electro-acoustic works by University of Illinois graduate composers. Kinetosis for eight-channel fixed media will also be heard at the upcoming 2013 SEAMUS conference in April.

 John Chernoff, a native of Santa Cruz, is the staff accompanist at Humboldt State University. He studied piano at the San Francisco Conservatory, the Peabody Institute, and Johns Hopkins University. John’s performing activities are extensive, including solo recitals, concerto performances, collaborating with faculty and guest artists, and accompanying student ensembles and soloists. In his free time John enjoys composing, working with computers, and playing chess.

 Dante De Silva, a southern California native, studied composition at Humboldt State University (B.A.), UC Santa Cruz (M.A.), and UCLA (Ph. D.), where his principal teachers were David Lefkowitz, Paul Reale, David Cope, and Paul Nauert. He also studied piano with Deborah Clasquin and percussion with Eugene Novotney at Humboldt State University.

 His compositions have been performed by such wonderful performers as Gloria Cheng, the Talea Ensemble, Phyllis Chen, Ryan MacEvoy McCullough, Arizona Women in Tune, Composer’s Inc., as well many others. He was the composer-in-residence with the Definiens Project (2005-2007) and the Tonoi Ensemble (2006-2007). Recent premieres Scratch Record for toy pianos and other toy instruments performed by Phyllis Chen, The Absurd ABC for wind trio and pre-recorded electronics performed by the Vientos Trio, and Rejuvenated Heart for women’s chorus and chamber ensemble performed by Arizona Women in Tune which was performed at the 2012 GALA Festival in Denver, CO.

 In the 2012-2013 season, he will have a number of new premieres: Wake the Dead for the Saguaro piano trio, Drive-Thru Etudes Bk. 1 by Ryan MacEvoy McCullough, and the reading of his opera Gesualdo: Prince of Madness by San Francisco-based Ensemble Parallèle in June. He is currently working on Engine Room, a piece for the Humboldt State Percussion Ensemble, a Concerto for Steel Drum, a Piano Concerto, and EP, a large work for 2 electric guitars, electric bass, and drum set. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two sons, and two cats.

 Justino Pérez premiered himself on June 1, 1990, in the unpretentious city of Porterville, CA. Rising past a difficult childhood and family background, he discovered music in his later teens, and it has since become a great passion of his life. Currently. Mr. Pérez studies piano, cello, and composition at Humboldt State University with Dr. Daniela Mineva, Carol Jacobson, and Dr. J. Brian Post, respectively. There he has been honored as a Presidential Scholar and recipient of both the Van Duzer and Fulkerson scholarships.

 Always excited about learning and sharing his passion, Mr. Pérez loves to work with students to cultivate their music and composition skills, and is working with Dr. Cindy Moyer to develop a new series of supplemental theory courses, which he teaches for the Music Department. Recently, Mr. Pérez studied composition with renowned instructors Stacy Garrop and David Rakowski, and participated in a master class with Dr. Chen Yi. Over the summer, he contributed to the Fresh Inc. Festival for New Music. There he premiered two new works: “Trio” for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano (Performed in the Ravinia Music Festival), and “I Just Lost to Myself at Hide and Seek” (written for The Eclipse Trio).

 An active member of the National Association of Composers, Mr. Pérez has been featured in their concerts. He also participates in the local musical community as principle cellist of the Humboldt Symphony, and performer in both the Eureka Symphony and Humboldt Light Opera Company. He teaches private cello and composition lessons, and hopes one day to be a professor of theory and composition.

 Dr. J. Brian Post has been teaching composition, music theory and music technology classes at Humboldt State University since the fall of 1998. He has a BA in piano performance from California State University, Hayward, a MM in Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado, and a DA in Theory and Composition from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to his position at HSU, Dr. Post taught at Emporia State University, the University of Northern Colorado, the Rocky Mountain Music Technology Workshop, the Midwest Music Camp, the Interlochen Arts Camp, and the International Music Camp.

 Recent works include; composing the film score for the dramatic full-length feature film The Music Inside, a dramatic full-length feature film, “Stricken,” a cross discipline work that incorporated dance, digitally enhanced audio files and midi instruments with multiple performances given in Spain. Most recently Dr. Post composed incidental music for the ancient East Indian play, Shakuntala which had eight performances in November and December 2012.

 Other works by Dr. Post have been performed nationally by the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Cal State Hayward Big Band, Interlochen Lab Band I, Interlochen Concert Band, Emporia State University (ESU) Wind Ensemble, Eranis Flute Ensemble, ESU A Cappella Choir, ESU Opera Company, Greeley Children's Chorale, ESU Faculty Jazz Combo the HSU P. M. Band and the HSU Wind Ensemble. He has recordings released on the Mark and IAC labels.

Friday, February 15, 2013


A Dream Tango with Guitarist Lawrence Ferrara 

 Bay Area classical guitarist Lawrence Ferrara performs “Dream Tango” by contemporary American composer Philip Rosheger and other compositions in a Guest Artist concert at Humboldt State on Friday evening, February 15. 

 Currently teaching at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and other Bay Area institutions, Lawrence Ferrara has performed worldwide, including in Spain, Australia and Canada as well as at Carnegie Recital Hall in New York. His solo performances have been praised by the New York Times as “subtle, intimate and inherently musical,” and by the San Francisco Chronicle for their “self-effacing purity.” 

 At HSU he will perform works from the Baroque era (Jean-Philippe Rameau), the Spanish Renaissance (Luis de Milan) and by 19th and 20th century composers from Spain and South America. These include “Four Venezuelan Valses” by Antonio Lauro, among the foremost 20th century South American composers for guitar.

 “I selected these pieces because I find the music expressive and easy to communicate—and I enjoy playing them,” Ferrara said. “I also factored in the key changes, style and mood to make the program interesting to listen to.” 

 As evidenced by this program, Ferrara plays a wide repertoire of music. He has also recorded African jazz with drummer S. Kwaku Daddy.

 In addition to his recital, Ferrara will conduct a Master Class at HSU on Saturday morning (Feb. 16) at 10 a.m. in Music Building A, Room 130. It is free and open to the public. 

 Guitarist Lawrence Ferrara performs on Friday, February 15 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8/$3 students and seniors from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. A Guest Artist Concert produced by HSU Music Department.

Media: Tri-City Weekly, Humboldt State Now, Arcata Eye

Lawrence Ferarra: The Program 

Six Pavans - Luis de Milán (1500-1561)
   No. 1 in Am
   No. 4 in D
   No. 5 in D
   No. 6 in D
   No. 2 in Bm
   No. 3 in C

Two Minuets from Pièces de Clavecin, Book No. 1 - Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764)
 (arranged by Andrés Segovia)
   Minuets I & II in A/Am/A
   Minuets I & II in D/Dm/D

From "Castles of Spain" - Federico Moreno-Torroba (1891-1982)
    Alcañiz
    Torija
    Alcázar de Segovia

    Tango - Issac Albeniz (1816-1909)
    Leyenda

INTERMISSION

Four Venezuelan Valses - Antonio Lauro (1816-1909)
    Vals No. 1
    El Marabino
    El Niño
    Vals Criollo

   A Lullaby to Wake Up With - Philip Rosheger (b. 1950)
   Dream Tango

Vals No. 3, Op. 8 - Agustín Barrios Mangoré (1885–1944)
La Catedral
   Prelude, Saudade
   Andante Religioso
   Allegro Solemne 

Sunday, February 03, 2013


Honors Recital February 3

Twelve honors students chosen by the HSU Music Department faculty for excellence in this year’s first semester will perform in the annual Music Honors Recital on Sunday afternoon, February 3. 

 Students are chosen to represent each of the six performance areas: voice, piano, percussion, strings, brass and woodwinds. This year’s performers are: Neil Bost (marimba), Jesse Burns (trumpet), Hector Diaz (timpani), Dan Fair (guitar), James Gadd (vocalist), Hannah Joy, (alto saxophone), Rachel Kamradt (oboe), Sandy Lindop (vocalist), Maxine Lauk (flute), Ryan McGaughey (piano), Andrew Rutledge (violin), Madeline Shapiro (piano). 

 The 2013 Honors Recital is presented on Sunday, February 3 at 2 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Admission is free.
2013 Music Honors Recital Program

Moto Perpetuo (1950/1966) by Elliott Carter: Hector Diaz, solo timpani.

   Muerte del Angel by Ástor Piazzolla: Dan Fair, guitar.

   Fantaisie Pastorale by Eugene Bozza: Rachel Kamradt, oboe; John Chernoff, piano.

   L'isle Joyeux by Claude Debussy: Ryan McGaughey, piano.

    Don Quichotte à Dulcinée (a song cycle) by Maurice Ravel (Chanson romanesque, Chanson epique,  Chanson a boire) : James Gadd, baritone; John Chernoff, piano.

   Pièce en Forme de Valse by Maurice Ravel:   Hannah Joy, alto saxophone; John Chernoff, piano.

 Concerto No. 1 in G major K. 313 by  W.A. Mozart I. Allegro maestoso: Maxine Lauck, flute; John Chernoff, piano.

   Pastoral and Toccata by Francis Poulenc: Madeline Shapiro, piano.

    Sonatina in G Major, Op. 100 by Antonín Dvořák, Allegro risoluto: Andrew Rutledge, violin; Ryan McGaughey, piano.

    Bell Song (L'Air des clochettes) from Lakmé by  Léo Delibes: Sandy Lindop, soprano; John Chernoff, piano.

   Concert Étude (Op. 49) by Alexander Goedicke: Jesse Burns, trumpet in Bb.

  Michi by Keiko Abe: Neil Bost, marimba.

Saturday, February 02, 2013


Winston Choi Brings Art of the Fugue to HSU

Pianist Winston Choi brings a rare solo piano performance of selections from Bach’s The Art of the Fugue to the Humboldt State campus on Saturday February 2.

 “It is not often that we hear this colossal work played in this way,” said Daniela Mineva, head of the HSU piano program. “We are extremely excited to have Dr. Choi with us. His absolutely amazing performing abilities will make this one of the most memorable guest artist concerts in this season.”

 Dr. Winston Choi is a prize-winning pianist whose recent performances include recitals at the Kennedy Center in Washington, the Carnegie-Weill Recital Hall in New York and the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. He is known for his insightful commentary from the stage.

 Himself a composer, Choi has premiered and commissioned over 100 works by young composers. At HSU he will perform “15,” a piece for piano that Canadian composer Howard Bashaw wrote in 2012.

 Also on the program is Metopes, three poems for piano by 20th century Polish composer Karol Szymanowski, which Choi recorded in 2011. Each poem corresponds to a section of Homer’s Odyssey: The Siren’s Island, Calypso and Nausikaa.

 Bach’s The Art of the Fugue is not often played on solo piano. Famed pianist and Bach interpreter Glenn Gould is among those who called it the culmination of Bach’s achievement. He noted its scope, scale and technical wizardly but added, “There are moments in The Art of the Fugue that are much more valuable than its virtuosity—moments that for me surpass everything else that Bach wrote.”

 Dr. Choi is currently head of the piano program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. In addition to his public concert, he gives a master class in Fulkerson Recital Hall at 12 noon on February 1, which is free and open to the public.

 Pianist Winston Choi performs on Saturday, February 2 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8/$3 students and seniors from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. A Guest Artist Concert produced by the HSU Music Department. 

Media: Tri-City Weekly, Humboldt State Now