Friday, December 12, 2008
Humboldt Symphony with University Singers and Humboldt Chorale
The Humboldt Symphony combines with Humboldt Chorale, University Singers and a community children’s choir to present a lavish Christmas cantata on Friday, December 12 and Sunday, December 14 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Humboldt Symphony is conducted by Paul Cummings, the University Singers are directed by Harley Muilenburg, and the Humboldt Chorale is directed by Carol Ryder. Produced by the HSU Department of Music.
The Humboldt Symphony combines with Humboldt Chorale, University Singers and a community children’s choir to present a lavish Christmas cantata on Friday, December 12 and Sunday, December 14 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Humboldt Symphony is conducted by Paul Cummings, the University Singers are directed by Harley Muilenburg, and the Humboldt Chorale is directed by Carol Ryder. Produced by the HSU Department of Music.
Community Celebrates the Holidays with the Humboldt Symphony and 3 Choral Groups
Celebrating with music is a delightful holiday tradition, and this year some 150 musicians and singers from HSU, local grade schools and high schools and from the community will come together to perform a lavish Christmas cantata as the highlight of the Humboldt Symphony concert on Friday, December 12 and Sunday, December 14.
The Symphony orchestra, the Humboldt Chorale, HSU University Singers and a children’s choir will combine to perform “Une Cantale De Noel” by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger. This work “describes the Christmas story, from the Old Testament, when the Israelites were cast out into the wilderness, through other events to the angel announcing the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem,” said Symphony conductor Paul Cummings. “The children’s choir will sing the part of the angels celebrating the birth.”
Then the cantata becomes a potpourri of Christmas carols, arranged in an unusual way. “You’ll hear fragments of carols from different countries and in different languages,” Cummings said. “There’s Latin, French and German, sometimes sung simultaneously. The combination is unique and effective.”
This work also features a solo by baritone Bill Ryder.
The singers and orchestra perform another work in the Christmas theme: “Magnificat” by Italian composer Francesco Durante.
The first half of the concert features the Humboldt Symphony Orchestra performing the “Idomeneo Overture” by Mozart, a work by Russian composer Alexander Borodin called “In the Steppes of Central Asia,” and the festive “Hoedown” from the ballet “Rodeo” by Aaron Copland.
“All of these works are five to ten minutes in length,” Cummings said, “except the Christmas chorale, which is 25 minutes, and involves 150 people of all ages. The HSU vision statement says that the University wants to be a regional hub for the arts. It’s a performance like this one that fulfills that vision. It’s an opportunity to bring all these facets of the community together, in celebration.”
The combined concert is performed on Friday, December 12 and Sunday, December 14 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, Humboldt State Now.
Celebrating with music is a delightful holiday tradition, and this year some 150 musicians and singers from HSU, local grade schools and high schools and from the community will come together to perform a lavish Christmas cantata as the highlight of the Humboldt Symphony concert on Friday, December 12 and Sunday, December 14.
The Symphony orchestra, the Humboldt Chorale, HSU University Singers and a children’s choir will combine to perform “Une Cantale De Noel” by Swiss composer Arthur Honegger. This work “describes the Christmas story, from the Old Testament, when the Israelites were cast out into the wilderness, through other events to the angel announcing the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem,” said Symphony conductor Paul Cummings. “The children’s choir will sing the part of the angels celebrating the birth.”
Then the cantata becomes a potpourri of Christmas carols, arranged in an unusual way. “You’ll hear fragments of carols from different countries and in different languages,” Cummings said. “There’s Latin, French and German, sometimes sung simultaneously. The combination is unique and effective.”
This work also features a solo by baritone Bill Ryder.
The singers and orchestra perform another work in the Christmas theme: “Magnificat” by Italian composer Francesco Durante.
The first half of the concert features the Humboldt Symphony Orchestra performing the “Idomeneo Overture” by Mozart, a work by Russian composer Alexander Borodin called “In the Steppes of Central Asia,” and the festive “Hoedown” from the ballet “Rodeo” by Aaron Copland.
“All of these works are five to ten minutes in length,” Cummings said, “except the Christmas chorale, which is 25 minutes, and involves 150 people of all ages. The HSU vision statement says that the University wants to be a regional hub for the arts. It’s a performance like this one that fulfills that vision. It’s an opportunity to bring all these facets of the community together, in celebration.”
The combined concert is performed on Friday, December 12 and Sunday, December 14 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, Humboldt State Now.
Additional Notes
“Idomeneo Overture” is the most familiar part of Mozart’s seldom performed opera, “Idomeneo.” The opera is in Italian but the music is considered to be in the French style. It is based on Greek myth and set on the island of Crete after the Trojan war. Among the dramatic events in Mozart’s opera are a storm at sea and an attack of the island by a sea monster.
Alexander Borodin was a 19th century Russian composer, part of a group dedicated to developing Russian art music. The musical “Kismet” borrowed some of his musical themes from his opera “Prince Igor.” “In the Steppes of Central Asia” is a symphonic poem written to celebrate the silver anniversary of the reign of Alexander II. It was first performed in 1880, and remains a popular concert piece.
Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was among the most famous modern American composers. “Hoedown” is the finale of his 1942 ballet, “Rodeo,” written for choreographer Agnes de Mille, who herself danced a major role at the Metropolitan Opera premiere. Like many of Copland’s famous pieces, this was based on an American folk tune—in this case, Appalachian fiddler W.M. Stepp’s version of a square dance tune, “Bonypart.” Copland’s “Hoedown” borrowed specifically from Ruth Crawford Seeger’s piano transcription, which she made for the Alan Lomax and Seeger collection, “Our Singing Country,” for the Library of Congress. It has become a familiar American tune.
Arthur Honegger (1892-1955) was a modernist composer based in Paris. In addition to symphonic and chamber works, he wrote for ballet, opera and film, including the score for the groundbreaking Abel Gance epic, “Napoleon.” His choral works include "Le Roi David" ("King David") and the Christmas Cantata to be performed by the Humboldt Symphony and three choral groups, “Une Cantale De Noel.” Written in 1953, it was Honegger’s final composition.
Francesco Durante (1684-1755) was an Italian composer of sacred music as well as a famous teacher. He is known for his harmonies in the Baroque style. The Magnificat is a canticle in various Christian church services, with words taken from the Gospel of Luke expressing the Virgin Mary’s profession of faith. Many composers have written Magnificats (Durante alone wrote several) including Bach and Monteverde.
“Idomeneo Overture” is the most familiar part of Mozart’s seldom performed opera, “Idomeneo.” The opera is in Italian but the music is considered to be in the French style. It is based on Greek myth and set on the island of Crete after the Trojan war. Among the dramatic events in Mozart’s opera are a storm at sea and an attack of the island by a sea monster.
Alexander Borodin was a 19th century Russian composer, part of a group dedicated to developing Russian art music. The musical “Kismet” borrowed some of his musical themes from his opera “Prince Igor.” “In the Steppes of Central Asia” is a symphonic poem written to celebrate the silver anniversary of the reign of Alexander II. It was first performed in 1880, and remains a popular concert piece.
Aaron Copland (1900-1990) was among the most famous modern American composers. “Hoedown” is the finale of his 1942 ballet, “Rodeo,” written for choreographer Agnes de Mille, who herself danced a major role at the Metropolitan Opera premiere. Like many of Copland’s famous pieces, this was based on an American folk tune—in this case, Appalachian fiddler W.M. Stepp’s version of a square dance tune, “Bonypart.” Copland’s “Hoedown” borrowed specifically from Ruth Crawford Seeger’s piano transcription, which she made for the Alan Lomax and Seeger collection, “Our Singing Country,” for the Library of Congress. It has become a familiar American tune.
Arthur Honegger (1892-1955) was a modernist composer based in Paris. In addition to symphonic and chamber works, he wrote for ballet, opera and film, including the score for the groundbreaking Abel Gance epic, “Napoleon.” His choral works include "Le Roi David" ("King David") and the Christmas Cantata to be performed by the Humboldt Symphony and three choral groups, “Une Cantale De Noel.” Written in 1953, it was Honegger’s final composition.
Francesco Durante (1684-1755) was an Italian composer of sacred music as well as a famous teacher. He is known for his harmonies in the Baroque style. The Magnificat is a canticle in various Christian church services, with words taken from the Gospel of Luke expressing the Virgin Mary’s profession of faith. Many composers have written Magnificats (Durante alone wrote several) including Bach and Monteverde.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
AM Jazz Band/HSU Jazz Orchestra
The AM JAZZ BAND plays new arrangements of classic tunes and obscure gems on Thursday, December 11, and THE HSU JAZZ ORCHESTRA with guest vocalists AkaBella play Dave Holland, Danilo Perez and original arrangements of jazz classics on Saturday, December 13. Both concerts are at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Both ensembles are directed by Dan Aldag, and both concerts are produced by the HSU Music Department.
The AM JAZZ BAND plays new arrangements of classic tunes and obscure gems on Thursday, December 11, and THE HSU JAZZ ORCHESTRA with guest vocalists AkaBella play Dave Holland, Danilo Perez and original arrangements of jazz classics on Saturday, December 13. Both concerts are at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Both ensembles are directed by Dan Aldag, and both concerts are produced by the HSU Music Department.
A Slight Derangement: Last Jazz Stand with the AM Jazz Band and HSU Jazz Orchestra
“A Slight Derangement” by contemporary trombonist and composer Bret Zvacek highlights the AM Jazz Band performance on Thursday night, December 11, kicking off the last jazz weekend of the calendar year at HSU.
The mid-sized jazz ensemble plays a little-known tune by Gerry Mulligan and Zoot Sims called "The Red Door," plus new arrangements of jazz standards, including “After You’ve Gone,” featuring Branden Lewis on trumpet.
Then on Saturday night, December 13, two ambitious jazz suites and new works by local musicians highlight the final HSU Jazz Orchestra performance of the year.
“Panama Suite” by Panamanian-born pianist Danilo Perez sizzles with traditional rhythms in a contemporary jazz context. AkaBella, a four-woman vocal ensemble (all HSU graduates), will be featured in this three-movement work.
The other long work on the program is “What Goes Around” by Dave Holland, which he wrote for his acclaimed contemporary big band.
The concert also features a new composition by Jazz Orchestra drummer Jonathan Kipp (“Chased By A Wolf Down A Mountain”) and a new arrangement of a Bud Powell tune (“Parisian Thoroughfare”) by Dan Aldag, HSU Music professor and the orchestra’s director.
The Jazz Orchestra will present a new arrangement by Alan Baylock of the classic “When I Fall In Love.” “Baylock's arrangement makes use of dissonance and extended harmonies to create a moody and haunting version of that well-known standard,” Dan Aldag noted.
Among the tunes reprised for this concert are "'Round Midnight" by Thelonious Monk (featuring Sky Miller on alto saxophone), "A Night In Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie, “Pedal Point Blues” by Charles Mingus and "V Gorakh Gruzii" (In The Mountains of Georgia) by Oleg Lundstrem—the founder of the Soviet Union’s first jazz orchestra. This tune features Isaac Williams on tenor saxophone.
Both the AM Jazz Band performance on Thursday (December 11) and the Jazz Orchestra concert on Saturday (December 13) begin at 8 p.m in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, North Coast Journal, Humboldt State Now.
“A Slight Derangement” by contemporary trombonist and composer Bret Zvacek highlights the AM Jazz Band performance on Thursday night, December 11, kicking off the last jazz weekend of the calendar year at HSU.
The mid-sized jazz ensemble plays a little-known tune by Gerry Mulligan and Zoot Sims called "The Red Door," plus new arrangements of jazz standards, including “After You’ve Gone,” featuring Branden Lewis on trumpet.
Then on Saturday night, December 13, two ambitious jazz suites and new works by local musicians highlight the final HSU Jazz Orchestra performance of the year.
“Panama Suite” by Panamanian-born pianist Danilo Perez sizzles with traditional rhythms in a contemporary jazz context. AkaBella, a four-woman vocal ensemble (all HSU graduates), will be featured in this three-movement work.
The other long work on the program is “What Goes Around” by Dave Holland, which he wrote for his acclaimed contemporary big band.
The concert also features a new composition by Jazz Orchestra drummer Jonathan Kipp (“Chased By A Wolf Down A Mountain”) and a new arrangement of a Bud Powell tune (“Parisian Thoroughfare”) by Dan Aldag, HSU Music professor and the orchestra’s director.
The Jazz Orchestra will present a new arrangement by Alan Baylock of the classic “When I Fall In Love.” “Baylock's arrangement makes use of dissonance and extended harmonies to create a moody and haunting version of that well-known standard,” Dan Aldag noted.
Among the tunes reprised for this concert are "'Round Midnight" by Thelonious Monk (featuring Sky Miller on alto saxophone), "A Night In Tunisia" by Dizzy Gillespie, “Pedal Point Blues” by Charles Mingus and "V Gorakh Gruzii" (In The Mountains of Georgia) by Oleg Lundstrem—the founder of the Soviet Union’s first jazz orchestra. This tune features Isaac Williams on tenor saxophone.
Both the AM Jazz Band performance on Thursday (December 11) and the Jazz Orchestra concert on Saturday (December 13) begin at 8 p.m in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, North Coast Journal, Humboldt State Now.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Madrigal Singers and MRT
News From Across the Land: HSU Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit perform on Sunday, December 7 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Directed by Harley Muilenburg; an HSU Music Department production.
News From Across the Land: HSU Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit perform on Sunday, December 7 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Directed by Harley Muilenburg; an HSU Music Department production.
Holiday News From Across the Land with Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit
The Madrigal Singers in Elizabethan costumes celebrate the holidays in traditional fashion, while the Mad River Singers swing and get funky in their annual autumn concert on Sunday, December 7 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.
“News from across the land” is this year’s theme. The Madrigal Singers toast the holidays with solos, duets and trios as well as well-known madrigals from the time of Shakespeare and Elizabeth I. Martin Shaw’s “Fanfare for Christmas Day” begins the program, followed by compositions by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Thomas Arne, Hans Leo, Eric Whitacre and Thomas Weelkes.
MRT jumps into a different mood in the evening’s second half, with swing, ballads, blues and funk tunes, including special vocal arrangements of songs by Neil Young, Paul McCartney and Bobby McFerrin.
MRT is accompanied by the rhythm section of Darius Brotman on piano, Robert Amirkhan on bass and Jonathan Kipps on drums.
HSU Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit perform on Sunday, December 7 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, Humboldt State Now.
The Madrigal Singers in Elizabethan costumes celebrate the holidays in traditional fashion, while the Mad River Singers swing and get funky in their annual autumn concert on Sunday, December 7 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.
“News from across the land” is this year’s theme. The Madrigal Singers toast the holidays with solos, duets and trios as well as well-known madrigals from the time of Shakespeare and Elizabeth I. Martin Shaw’s “Fanfare for Christmas Day” begins the program, followed by compositions by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Thomas Arne, Hans Leo, Eric Whitacre and Thomas Weelkes.
MRT jumps into a different mood in the evening’s second half, with swing, ballads, blues and funk tunes, including special vocal arrangements of songs by Neil Young, Paul McCartney and Bobby McFerrin.
MRT is accompanied by the rhythm section of Darius Brotman on piano, Robert Amirkhan on bass and Jonathan Kipps on drums.
HSU Madrigal Singers and Mad River Transit perform on Sunday, December 7 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, Humboldt State Now.
Madrigal Singers
Meadow Bell, Claire Bent, Tiffany Guenter, Amy Chalfant, Jacqueline Hernandez, Michele Enenstein, Amy O'Hanlon,Kalea Hammond, Kenna Oliphant, Carrie O’Neill, Cally Staats, Jerilyn Phippeny,Chelsea Traynor, Kirsten Randrup, Susan Stewart, Tina Toomata, Perry Crook II, Richard Alvarez, Todd Herriott, Dennis Astley, John Pettlon Waltson Liao,
James Murphy,Blake Rouzer, Clint Rebik, Michael Scott, Christopher Werner.
MRT
Jessica Malone, Claire Bent, Naomi Medley,Calista LaBolle, Hannah Jones, Sara Scibetta, Kelly Whitaker, Joshua Boronkay, Alex Saslow, Kenka Rodgers, Nick Tringale,Bernie Steinberg, Kaeden Williams.
Meadow Bell, Claire Bent, Tiffany Guenter, Amy Chalfant, Jacqueline Hernandez, Michele Enenstein, Amy O'Hanlon,Kalea Hammond, Kenna Oliphant, Carrie O’Neill, Cally Staats, Jerilyn Phippeny,Chelsea Traynor, Kirsten Randrup, Susan Stewart, Tina Toomata, Perry Crook II, Richard Alvarez, Todd Herriott, Dennis Astley, John Pettlon Waltson Liao,
James Murphy,Blake Rouzer, Clint Rebik, Michael Scott, Christopher Werner.
MRT
Jessica Malone, Claire Bent, Naomi Medley,Calista LaBolle, Hannah Jones, Sara Scibetta, Kelly Whitaker, Joshua Boronkay, Alex Saslow, Kenka Rodgers, Nick Tringale,Bernie Steinberg, Kaeden Williams.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
HSU Percussion and Calypso Band
Cross Currents: HSU Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and Calypso Band weave rhythms from around the world on Saturday, December 6 at 8 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. First 50 HSU students Free with ID. Directed by Eugene Novotney; an HSU Music Department production.
Cross Currents: HSU Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and Calypso Band weave rhythms from around the world on Saturday, December 6 at 8 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. First 50 HSU students Free with ID. Directed by Eugene Novotney; an HSU Music Department production.
Cross Currents of Rhythm with HSU Percussion Groups
Three HSU percussion groups—the Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and the Calypso Band-- bring cross-currents of world rhythms to the Van Duzer Theatre on Saturday, December 6.
The Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Eugene Novotney, presents “Cross Currents,” a major work for percussion orchestra by Lynn Glassock. “It calls for a massive group of percussionists playing on four marimbas, two vibraphones, chimes, glockenspiel, five timpani, and a collection of over 35 drums, cymbals, and hand percussion instruments,” Dr. Novotney said.
The Ensemble’s featured classical work is “Second Construction” by John Cage. Novotney describes it as “highly experimental,” featuring exotic instruments such as Balinese gongs, Indian oxen bells, African pod-rattles, and Chinese temple bells. It also includes Cage’s patented “prepared piano”—which augments the classical grand with nuts, bolts, washers and other objects placed on the piano strings. “It sounds more like an electronic synthesizer than an acoustic piano,” Novotney observed. “The effect is stunning and surprising.”
The World Percussion Group, directed by Howard Kaufman, completes the first half of the program with traditional Anlo-Ewe dance drumming from Ghana in West Africa. Dancers from the HSU dance studio, led by HSU Theatre, Film and Dance faculty member Deborah Ketelsen, will perform traditional dances of the Anlo-Ewe people.
As usual, the second half of the evening is devoted to the high-energy dance rhythms of the Humboldt State Calypso Band. For this concert the emphasis is on traditional Calypso music of Trinidad and Tabago. “The band prides itself in maintaining an accurate and authentic connection to the roots of the steel band movement, and to the innovative musicians of Trinidad, where this unique percussion phenomenon was born,” Novotney said. A fixture at North Coast outdoor celebrations, the Calypso Band has performed in San Francisco, Long Angeles and Seattle.
The HSU Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and Calypso Band perform on Saturday, December 6 at 8 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. First 50 HSU students Free with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, North Coast Journal, Humboldt State Now.
Three HSU percussion groups—the Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and the Calypso Band-- bring cross-currents of world rhythms to the Van Duzer Theatre on Saturday, December 6.
The Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Eugene Novotney, presents “Cross Currents,” a major work for percussion orchestra by Lynn Glassock. “It calls for a massive group of percussionists playing on four marimbas, two vibraphones, chimes, glockenspiel, five timpani, and a collection of over 35 drums, cymbals, and hand percussion instruments,” Dr. Novotney said.
The Ensemble’s featured classical work is “Second Construction” by John Cage. Novotney describes it as “highly experimental,” featuring exotic instruments such as Balinese gongs, Indian oxen bells, African pod-rattles, and Chinese temple bells. It also includes Cage’s patented “prepared piano”—which augments the classical grand with nuts, bolts, washers and other objects placed on the piano strings. “It sounds more like an electronic synthesizer than an acoustic piano,” Novotney observed. “The effect is stunning and surprising.”
The World Percussion Group, directed by Howard Kaufman, completes the first half of the program with traditional Anlo-Ewe dance drumming from Ghana in West Africa. Dancers from the HSU dance studio, led by HSU Theatre, Film and Dance faculty member Deborah Ketelsen, will perform traditional dances of the Anlo-Ewe people.
As usual, the second half of the evening is devoted to the high-energy dance rhythms of the Humboldt State Calypso Band. For this concert the emphasis is on traditional Calypso music of Trinidad and Tabago. “The band prides itself in maintaining an accurate and authentic connection to the roots of the steel band movement, and to the innovative musicians of Trinidad, where this unique percussion phenomenon was born,” Novotney said. A fixture at North Coast outdoor celebrations, the Calypso Band has performed in San Francisco, Long Angeles and Seattle.
The HSU Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and Calypso Band perform on Saturday, December 6 at 8 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. First 50 HSU students Free with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, North Coast Journal, Humboldt State Now.
Friday, December 05, 2008
HSU Symphonic Band
“Five Living Composers and One Dead Guy:” live music by (mostly) live composers, performed by the HSU Symphonic Band on Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Directed by Paul Cummings; an HSU Music Department production.
“Five Living Composers and One Dead Guy:” live music by (mostly) live composers, performed by the HSU Symphonic Band on Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. Directed by Paul Cummings; an HSU Music Department production.
Noisy Wheels of Joy with the HSU Symphonic Band
Three conductors lead the HSU Symphonic Band in six modern band works by five living composers, and one dead guy. Not bad for one concert, which happens on Friday, December 5 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.
Especially when the first selection on the program is called “Noisy Wheels of Joy.”
“That’s by Eric Whitacre,” said Paul Cummings, HSU music professor and director of the Symphonic Band. “He’s one of the two composers we’re doing who are still in their 20s. But like all of these composers, his work is widely respected, and performed by major orchestras.”
“Noisy Wheels of Joy” will be conducted by Kenneth Ayoob, who directed the Symphonic Band for 13 years, until 2005. He is currently Interim Dean of the HSU College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “It’s exciting for the band to have him back,” Cummings said.
The other guest conductor is Dr. Robert Ponto, director of bands at the University of Oregon. “He’s an expert on contemporary music as well as a highly regarded conductor,” Cummings said. “His specialty is living composers, and he knows many of them personally.” He will conduct “Strange Humors” by John Mackey (the other twenty-something from Julliard) and “Serenade Romantic” by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Joseph Turrin.
Cummings will himself conduct “Three Dances of Enchantment” by American-born composer Luigi Zaninelli, “Song” by William Bolcom and “Petite Symphonie” by Charles Gounod. “He’s the dead guy.” Gounod was a French composer of the 19th century.
“Five Living Composers and One Dead Guy:” a program of modern music is performed by the HSU Symphonic Band on Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, Humboldt State Now.
Three conductors lead the HSU Symphonic Band in six modern band works by five living composers, and one dead guy. Not bad for one concert, which happens on Friday, December 5 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.
Especially when the first selection on the program is called “Noisy Wheels of Joy.”
“That’s by Eric Whitacre,” said Paul Cummings, HSU music professor and director of the Symphonic Band. “He’s one of the two composers we’re doing who are still in their 20s. But like all of these composers, his work is widely respected, and performed by major orchestras.”
“Noisy Wheels of Joy” will be conducted by Kenneth Ayoob, who directed the Symphonic Band for 13 years, until 2005. He is currently Interim Dean of the HSU College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “It’s exciting for the band to have him back,” Cummings said.
The other guest conductor is Dr. Robert Ponto, director of bands at the University of Oregon. “He’s an expert on contemporary music as well as a highly regarded conductor,” Cummings said. “His specialty is living composers, and he knows many of them personally.” He will conduct “Strange Humors” by John Mackey (the other twenty-something from Julliard) and “Serenade Romantic” by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Joseph Turrin.
Cummings will himself conduct “Three Dances of Enchantment” by American-born composer Luigi Zaninelli, “Song” by William Bolcom and “Petite Symphonie” by Charles Gounod. “He’s the dead guy.” Gounod was a French composer of the 19th century.
“Five Living Composers and One Dead Guy:” a program of modern music is performed by the HSU Symphonic Band on Friday, December 5 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID.
Media: Arcata Eye, Humboldt State Now.
Guest Conductor Robert Ponto
Robert Ponto is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Oregon where he is Director of Bands and conductor of the Oregon Wind Ensemble.
Ponto’s frequent appearances as guest conductor include the Detroit Chamber Winds, the Interlochen Arts Academy Band, and numerous state and regional honor groups throughout the United States. His performing ensembles appear regularly at the state, regional and national conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and the Music Educators National Conference. His groups have also been featured at the "Bang on a Can" contemporary music festival in New York City, on National Public Radio and Oregon Public Radio.
An advocate of new music, Ponto is actively involved in the commissioning of new works, and has collaborated with many influential composers including John Adams, Steven Stucky, Gia Kancheli, Michael Daugherty, Scott Lindroth, Augusta Read Thomas, Philip Rothman and David Maslanka. Also a proponent of electronic music, his most recently performed composition is, Postmark Sirius: In Memoriam Karlheinz Stockhausen, for trumpet and live electronics.
As a teacher of conducting, Ponto has earned considerable respect for his creative work both at the University of Oregon and at conducting workshops throughout the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Mr. Ponto was recently inducted into the American Bandmasters Association.
Robert Ponto is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Oregon where he is Director of Bands and conductor of the Oregon Wind Ensemble.
Ponto’s frequent appearances as guest conductor include the Detroit Chamber Winds, the Interlochen Arts Academy Band, and numerous state and regional honor groups throughout the United States. His performing ensembles appear regularly at the state, regional and national conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and the Music Educators National Conference. His groups have also been featured at the "Bang on a Can" contemporary music festival in New York City, on National Public Radio and Oregon Public Radio.
An advocate of new music, Ponto is actively involved in the commissioning of new works, and has collaborated with many influential composers including John Adams, Steven Stucky, Gia Kancheli, Michael Daugherty, Scott Lindroth, Augusta Read Thomas, Philip Rothman and David Maslanka. Also a proponent of electronic music, his most recently performed composition is, Postmark Sirius: In Memoriam Karlheinz Stockhausen, for trumpet and live electronics.
As a teacher of conducting, Ponto has earned considerable respect for his creative work both at the University of Oregon and at conducting workshops throughout the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Mr. Ponto was recently inducted into the American Bandmasters Association.
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