Friday, May 22, 2009
Darius Brotman
Veteran North Coast jazz pianist Darius Brotman and Berkeley bassist Richard Saunders play an intimate concert of jazz standards and originals on Friday, May 22nd at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. A Guest Artist concert presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Veteran North Coast jazz pianist Darius Brotman and Berkeley bassist Richard Saunders play an intimate concert of jazz standards and originals on Friday, May 22nd at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. A Guest Artist concert presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Darius Brotman’s Evening of “Serious Chamber Jazz”
Veteran North Coast jazz pianist Darius Brotman teams up with Berkeley bassist Richard Saunders for an intimate evening of jazz standards and originals, to benefit the HSU Music Department scholarship program.
Brotman has been playing jazz piano in Humboldt County for over 20 years. He’s also familiar as the host of the KHSU jazz program “Gone Sides,” Tuesdays at 8:30 pm. He is an HSU Music Department accompanist.
Richard Saunders, formerly of Arcata, is a professional bassist. “The communication between the two of us is exceptional,” Brotman said.
Brotman promises a concert of “serious chamber jazz” on Friday, May 22 at 8 pm in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door.
Veteran North Coast jazz pianist Darius Brotman teams up with Berkeley bassist Richard Saunders for an intimate evening of jazz standards and originals, to benefit the HSU Music Department scholarship program.
Brotman has been playing jazz piano in Humboldt County for over 20 years. He’s also familiar as the host of the KHSU jazz program “Gone Sides,” Tuesdays at 8:30 pm. He is an HSU Music Department accompanist.
Richard Saunders, formerly of Arcata, is a professional bassist. “The communication between the two of us is exceptional,” Brotman said.
Brotman promises a concert of “serious chamber jazz” on Friday, May 22 at 8 pm in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $8 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
University Singers & Humboldt Chorale
Many voices combine in classical song for the joint concert of the 64-member University Singers and 75-member Humboldt Chorale on Sunday, May 10 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. University Singers directed by Harley Muilenburg. Humboldt Chorale directed by Carol McWhorter Ryder. Presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Many voices combine in classical song for the joint concert of the 64-member University Singers and 75-member Humboldt Chorale on Sunday, May 10 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. University Singers directed by Harley Muilenburg. Humboldt Chorale directed by Carol McWhorter Ryder. Presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Annual Feast of Choral Singing
Lovers of large choral group singing should mark their May calendar for the annual joint concert of the 64-member University Singers and the 75-member Humboldt Chorale on Sunday, May 10 at 8 p.m.
HSU students comprise the University Singers, directed by HSU Music professor Harley Muilenberg, while the Humboldt Chorale is a community-based group with members ranging in age from 13 to 89, directed by Carol McWhorter Ryder.
The University Singers perform the Psalm Cantata, “Not Unto Us O Lord” by Felix Mendelssohn, and selections from the Gypsy Songs by Johannes Brahms. The modern era is represented by “Pie Jesu” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem.
Their part of the program concludes with the rousing Neighbor's Chorus from the Offenbach operetta, La Jolie Parfumeuse. This selection features the piano of John Chernoff, who accompanies the Singers throughout.
Soloists for the University Singers are: Christopher Hatcher, Brandy Rose, Conor Jamison, Cally Staats, Kalea Hammond and Margaret Noe.
The Humboldt Chorale performs two selections from Verdi’s opera “Il Trovatore” (the famous Anvil Chorus, and another featuring bass singer Kevin Nakatani) and two from operas by Mozart (the Priest’s Chorus from “Die Zaubeflote” and the Voyager’s Chorus from “Idomeno” featuring soprano Katharine Kinley.)
The Chorale also performs selections from Bizet’s “Carmen” (featuring mezzo-soprano Margaret Noe), Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” the Spinning Chorus from Wagner's "Flying Dutchman" and Verdi's Hebrew Chorus.
The concert concludes with the Easter Chorus by late 19th and early 20th century Italian composer Pietro Mascagni from his ground-breaking opera “Cavalleria Rusticana,” featuring soprano Sarah Benzinger. The Humboldt Chorale dedicates this selection to the memory of Deborah Clasquin.
The joint University Singers and Humboldt Chorale spring concert is Sunday, May 10 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: Humboldt State Now.
Lovers of large choral group singing should mark their May calendar for the annual joint concert of the 64-member University Singers and the 75-member Humboldt Chorale on Sunday, May 10 at 8 p.m.
HSU students comprise the University Singers, directed by HSU Music professor Harley Muilenberg, while the Humboldt Chorale is a community-based group with members ranging in age from 13 to 89, directed by Carol McWhorter Ryder.
The University Singers perform the Psalm Cantata, “Not Unto Us O Lord” by Felix Mendelssohn, and selections from the Gypsy Songs by Johannes Brahms. The modern era is represented by “Pie Jesu” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem.
Their part of the program concludes with the rousing Neighbor's Chorus from the Offenbach operetta, La Jolie Parfumeuse. This selection features the piano of John Chernoff, who accompanies the Singers throughout.
Soloists for the University Singers are: Christopher Hatcher, Brandy Rose, Conor Jamison, Cally Staats, Kalea Hammond and Margaret Noe.
The Humboldt Chorale performs two selections from Verdi’s opera “Il Trovatore” (the famous Anvil Chorus, and another featuring bass singer Kevin Nakatani) and two from operas by Mozart (the Priest’s Chorus from “Die Zaubeflote” and the Voyager’s Chorus from “Idomeno” featuring soprano Katharine Kinley.)
The Chorale also performs selections from Bizet’s “Carmen” (featuring mezzo-soprano Margaret Noe), Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” the Spinning Chorus from Wagner's "Flying Dutchman" and Verdi's Hebrew Chorus.
The concert concludes with the Easter Chorus by late 19th and early 20th century Italian composer Pietro Mascagni from his ground-breaking opera “Cavalleria Rusticana,” featuring soprano Sarah Benzinger. The Humboldt Chorale dedicates this selection to the memory of Deborah Clasquin.
The joint University Singers and Humboldt Chorale spring concert is Sunday, May 10 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: Humboldt State Now.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Jazz Orchestra
HSU Jazz Orchestra celebrates the epoch-making music of 1959 on Saturday, May 9 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 Dan Aldag; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
HSU Jazz Orchestra celebrates the epoch-making music of 1959 on Saturday, May 9 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 Dan Aldag; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Jazz Orchestra Celebrates Epoch-Making Music of 1959
The HSU Jazz Orchestra celebrates the golden anniversary of a golden year in jazz, with both the epoch-making music of 1959 and compositions that carry on its spirit, in its final spring concert on Saturday May 9.
The Orchestra plays tunes from three formative albums released in 1959 that made this what Orchestra director and HSU Music Department professor Dan Aldag calls “one of the most significant years in jazz history.”
“All Blues” is from the Miles Davis release, Kind of Blue, one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. “Peri’s Scope” is from the first album by the ground-breaking Bill Evans Trio, Portrait In Jazz. Pianist Evans also played on the Miles Davis album, and his improvised solo remains part of the score for “All Blues.”
The Orchestra also performs “Open Letter to Duke” from the 1959 release Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus. Speaking of Duke, two Ellington compositions are also on the program: “All Too Soon” (which features trombonist Talon Nansel and tenor saxophonist Leo Echazábal) and "Rockin' In Rhythm."
Another of 1959’s influential albums was Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet, which shattered the jazz shackles to the 4/4 beat. HSU Jazz Orchestra drummer Jonathan Kipp pays homage to that innovation with his composition, “Chased By a Wolf Down a Mountain,” which uses unusual time signatures.
While it wasn't released until the next year, Miles Davis and Gil Evans began recording Sketches of Spain in 1959, and that album's strong classical influence is apparent in two pieces on the program: "Sky Blue" by Maria Schneider (which features Sky Miller on soprano sax) and "Drift" by Darcy James Argue.
The Orchestra plays some unrelated tunes, too: “Déjà vu” (an evocation of the Big Band era), the Woody Herman Band arrangement of John Coltrane’s “Lazy Bird,” and “Blues Walk,” a Clifford Brown composition reconceived with an Afro-Cuban feel by Michael Philip Mossman.
The HSU Jazz Orchestra final spring concert is Saturday, May 9 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: Humboldt State Now.
The HSU Jazz Orchestra celebrates the golden anniversary of a golden year in jazz, with both the epoch-making music of 1959 and compositions that carry on its spirit, in its final spring concert on Saturday May 9.
The Orchestra plays tunes from three formative albums released in 1959 that made this what Orchestra director and HSU Music Department professor Dan Aldag calls “one of the most significant years in jazz history.”
“All Blues” is from the Miles Davis release, Kind of Blue, one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time. “Peri’s Scope” is from the first album by the ground-breaking Bill Evans Trio, Portrait In Jazz. Pianist Evans also played on the Miles Davis album, and his improvised solo remains part of the score for “All Blues.”
The Orchestra also performs “Open Letter to Duke” from the 1959 release Mingus Ah Um by Charles Mingus. Speaking of Duke, two Ellington compositions are also on the program: “All Too Soon” (which features trombonist Talon Nansel and tenor saxophonist Leo Echazábal) and "Rockin' In Rhythm."
Another of 1959’s influential albums was Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet, which shattered the jazz shackles to the 4/4 beat. HSU Jazz Orchestra drummer Jonathan Kipp pays homage to that innovation with his composition, “Chased By a Wolf Down a Mountain,” which uses unusual time signatures.
While it wasn't released until the next year, Miles Davis and Gil Evans began recording Sketches of Spain in 1959, and that album's strong classical influence is apparent in two pieces on the program: "Sky Blue" by Maria Schneider (which features Sky Miller on soprano sax) and "Drift" by Darcy James Argue.
The Orchestra plays some unrelated tunes, too: “Déjà vu” (an evocation of the Big Band era), the Woody Herman Band arrangement of John Coltrane’s “Lazy Bird,” and “Blues Walk,” a Clifford Brown composition reconceived with an Afro-Cuban feel by Michael Philip Mossman.
The HSU Jazz Orchestra final spring concert is Saturday, May 9 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: Humboldt State Now.
Director's Notes by Dan Aldag
We're continuing our celebration of the 50th anniversary of 1959, one of the most significant years in jazz's history. 1959 was the year of:
Kind Of Blue--Miles Davis: The album that established modal jazz (very few chord changes) as a viable alternative to the bebop approach of very complex and fast-moving chords. Maybe the best-selling jazz album of all time. enowned for its combination of surface beauty and extraordinary depth.
Giant Steps--John Coltrane: The album that was the apotheosis of the aforementioned bebop approach. The title tune remains today a kind of test piece for jazz improvisors.
The Shape of Jazz To Come--Ornette Coleman: The album that established free jazz (no pre-set, fixed chord progressions.) The beginning of jazz's avant-garde revolution of the 1960s
Time Out--Dave Brubeck: The album that first popularized unusual time signatures in jazz. Up to this point, almost all jazz had been in a meter of 4. This album included tunes in meters of 3, 5 ("Take Five"), 6 and 9 ("Blue Rondo a la Turk").
Portrait In Jazz--Bill Evans: The first album from the Bill Evans Trio, the group most responsible for freeing bass and drums from their timekeeping, accompanimental roles. In the Evans Trio, the piano, bass and drums operated as nearly equal musical partners, with often no one explicitly stating the pulse.
Mingus Ah Um--Charles Mingus: The album where Mingus first put together in a coherent and unified way his many and disparate influences, including blues and gospel, Ellington and the complex counterpoint of cool jazz. This album also introduced several of Mingus's best-known and most-performed compositions, including "Better Git It In Your Soul," "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" and "Fables of Faubus."
On this concert, we'll be playing "All Blues" from Kind Of Blue, "Open Letter to Duke" from Mingus Ah Um and "Peri's Scope" from Evans' Portrait In Jazz. Those three were all recorded by small groups and the arrangements we're playing reflect three different approaches to jazz repertory. The "All Blues" arrangement is by the famed bass player Chuck Israels and he has scored for the full band the solos improvised by Miles and pianist Bill Evans on the original recording. I arranged "Open Letter to Duke" by simply expanding the scoring of Mingus's original recording. Mike Tomaro's arrangement of "Peri's Scope" uses only the original melody and harmony as the basis for a unique interpretation of the tune.
Some of the rest of the music we'll be playing shows the influence of the innovative recordings of 1959. "Chased By A Wolf Down a Mountain" by our drummer, Jonathan Kipp, uses unusual time signatures, primarily seven. While it wasn't released until the next year, Miles Davis and Gil Evans began recording Sketches of Spain in 1959 and that album's strong classical influence is apparent in two pieces we'll be playing, "Sky Blue" by Maria Schneider (which features Sky Miller on soprano sax) and "Drift" by Darcy James Argue.
We'll also play music that has no direct connection to 1959, including Duke Ellington's "Rockin' In Rhythm", written in the early 1930s, but this particular arrangement is one the Ellington band began playing in the '50s.
The title of "Déjà Vu" by Tom Fredrickson refers both to Fredrickson's conscious evocation of the big band era and how musical material from early in the composition continues to reoccur throughout the piece. "Blues Walk" is a Clifford Brown composition reconceived with an Afro-Cuban feel by Michael Philip Mossman. John Coltrane's "Lazy Bird" will be played in an arrangement done for the Woody Herman band by Bill Stapleton. Duke Ellington's "All Too Soon" will feature trombonist Talon Nansel and tenor saxophonist Leo Echazábal.
We're continuing our celebration of the 50th anniversary of 1959, one of the most significant years in jazz's history. 1959 was the year of:
Kind Of Blue--Miles Davis: The album that established modal jazz (very few chord changes) as a viable alternative to the bebop approach of very complex and fast-moving chords. Maybe the best-selling jazz album of all time. enowned for its combination of surface beauty and extraordinary depth.
Giant Steps--John Coltrane: The album that was the apotheosis of the aforementioned bebop approach. The title tune remains today a kind of test piece for jazz improvisors.
The Shape of Jazz To Come--Ornette Coleman: The album that established free jazz (no pre-set, fixed chord progressions.) The beginning of jazz's avant-garde revolution of the 1960s
Time Out--Dave Brubeck: The album that first popularized unusual time signatures in jazz. Up to this point, almost all jazz had been in a meter of 4. This album included tunes in meters of 3, 5 ("Take Five"), 6 and 9 ("Blue Rondo a la Turk").
Portrait In Jazz--Bill Evans: The first album from the Bill Evans Trio, the group most responsible for freeing bass and drums from their timekeeping, accompanimental roles. In the Evans Trio, the piano, bass and drums operated as nearly equal musical partners, with often no one explicitly stating the pulse.
Mingus Ah Um--Charles Mingus: The album where Mingus first put together in a coherent and unified way his many and disparate influences, including blues and gospel, Ellington and the complex counterpoint of cool jazz. This album also introduced several of Mingus's best-known and most-performed compositions, including "Better Git It In Your Soul," "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" and "Fables of Faubus."
On this concert, we'll be playing "All Blues" from Kind Of Blue, "Open Letter to Duke" from Mingus Ah Um and "Peri's Scope" from Evans' Portrait In Jazz. Those three were all recorded by small groups and the arrangements we're playing reflect three different approaches to jazz repertory. The "All Blues" arrangement is by the famed bass player Chuck Israels and he has scored for the full band the solos improvised by Miles and pianist Bill Evans on the original recording. I arranged "Open Letter to Duke" by simply expanding the scoring of Mingus's original recording. Mike Tomaro's arrangement of "Peri's Scope" uses only the original melody and harmony as the basis for a unique interpretation of the tune.
Some of the rest of the music we'll be playing shows the influence of the innovative recordings of 1959. "Chased By A Wolf Down a Mountain" by our drummer, Jonathan Kipp, uses unusual time signatures, primarily seven. While it wasn't released until the next year, Miles Davis and Gil Evans began recording Sketches of Spain in 1959 and that album's strong classical influence is apparent in two pieces we'll be playing, "Sky Blue" by Maria Schneider (which features Sky Miller on soprano sax) and "Drift" by Darcy James Argue.
We'll also play music that has no direct connection to 1959, including Duke Ellington's "Rockin' In Rhythm", written in the early 1930s, but this particular arrangement is one the Ellington band began playing in the '50s.
The title of "Déjà Vu" by Tom Fredrickson refers both to Fredrickson's conscious evocation of the big band era and how musical material from early in the composition continues to reoccur throughout the piece. "Blues Walk" is a Clifford Brown composition reconceived with an Afro-Cuban feel by Michael Philip Mossman. John Coltrane's "Lazy Bird" will be played in an arrangement done for the Woody Herman band by Bill Stapleton. Duke Ellington's "All Too Soon" will feature trombonist Talon Nansel and tenor saxophonist Leo Echazábal.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Humboldt Symphony
Among its spring concert selections, Humboldt Symphony plays the famous and formidable Schumann Piano Concerto featuring pianist Ching-Ming Cheng on Friday May 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday May 10 at 3 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. Conducted by Paul Cummings; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Among its spring concert selections, Humboldt Symphony plays the famous and formidable Schumann Piano Concerto featuring pianist Ching-Ming Cheng on Friday May 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday May 10 at 3 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. Conducted by Paul Cummings; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
The Humboldt Symphony Spring Concert: Super Schumann, Innovative Weber and a Memorial Mahler
“It’s a super-human showpiece for piano, and a tour de force for the orchestra.”
That’s how Humboldt Symphony conductor and HSU Music Department professor Paul Cummings describes the famous and formidable Schumann Piano Concerto, the centerpiece of the Symphony’s spring concert.
Pianist and HSU Music Department faculty member Ching-Ming Cheng will play the “extremely demanding piano part” in this concerto by mid-19th century German composer Robert Schumann. “He wrote it at the height of German Romanticism,” Cummings added, “and it’s about as Romantic as music gets.”
“Just as the Schumann concerto is a showpiece for piano,” Cummings said, “the Weber piece we’re playing is a showpiece for clarinet.” Soloist for the Clarinet Concerto #1 by 19th century German composer Carl Weber is HSU student Jacki Fraser. The Humboldt Symphony performs the first movement, praised for its innovation and daring.
The orchestra also plays two lesser-known works by famous composers: “L’Arlesienne Suite #1” by Georges Bizet (best known for the opera Carmen) and “Blumine” by Gustav Mahler. Of the latter, Cummings said, “It’s a slow, beautiful piece which we are dedicating to the memory of Deborah Clasquin, because she loved Mahler so much.”
The concert concludes on a light, bright note with “Four Scottish Dances” by 20th century British composer Malcolm Arnold. The Humboldt Symphony performs its spring concert on Friday May 8 at 8 p.m. and as a Sunday matinee on May 10 at 3 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: Humboldt State Now.
“It’s a super-human showpiece for piano, and a tour de force for the orchestra.”
That’s how Humboldt Symphony conductor and HSU Music Department professor Paul Cummings describes the famous and formidable Schumann Piano Concerto, the centerpiece of the Symphony’s spring concert.
Pianist and HSU Music Department faculty member Ching-Ming Cheng will play the “extremely demanding piano part” in this concerto by mid-19th century German composer Robert Schumann. “He wrote it at the height of German Romanticism,” Cummings added, “and it’s about as Romantic as music gets.”
“Just as the Schumann concerto is a showpiece for piano,” Cummings said, “the Weber piece we’re playing is a showpiece for clarinet.” Soloist for the Clarinet Concerto #1 by 19th century German composer Carl Weber is HSU student Jacki Fraser. The Humboldt Symphony performs the first movement, praised for its innovation and daring.
The orchestra also plays two lesser-known works by famous composers: “L’Arlesienne Suite #1” by Georges Bizet (best known for the opera Carmen) and “Blumine” by Gustav Mahler. Of the latter, Cummings said, “It’s a slow, beautiful piece which we are dedicating to the memory of Deborah Clasquin, because she loved Mahler so much.”
The concert concludes on a light, bright note with “Four Scottish Dances” by 20th century British composer Malcolm Arnold. The Humboldt Symphony performs its spring concert on Friday May 8 at 8 p.m. and as a Sunday matinee on May 10 at 3 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: Humboldt State Now.
Additional Note
The pieces the Symphony will play by Georges Bizet and Gustav Mahler have an odd element in common: both were originally written to accompany unsuccessful stage plays. Bizet extracted “L’Arlesienne Suite #1” and Mahler recast “Blumine”—but it has an even more complicated history.
Mahler adapted it for his first symphony. It was the basis of the second movement, but after this symphony’s first performances, Mahler eliminated the second movement entirely, and made this a stand-alone work. “The first symphony is played a lot,” Paul Cummings notes, “but this piece is seldom played at all.”
The pieces the Symphony will play by Georges Bizet and Gustav Mahler have an odd element in common: both were originally written to accompany unsuccessful stage plays. Bizet extracted “L’Arlesienne Suite #1” and Mahler recast “Blumine”—but it has an even more complicated history.
Mahler adapted it for his first symphony. It was the basis of the second movement, but after this symphony’s first performances, Mahler eliminated the second movement entirely, and made this a stand-alone work. “The first symphony is played a lot,” Paul Cummings notes, “but this piece is seldom played at all.”
Thursday, May 07, 2009
AM Jazz Band
The AM Jazz Band of HSU plays up-tempo tunes by Monk, Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie on Thursday May 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 Paul Cummings; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
The AM Jazz Band of HSU plays up-tempo tunes by Monk, Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie on Thursday May 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 Paul Cummings; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Sky’s the Limit with the AM Jazz Band
HSU senior, Music Education major and saxophonist Sky Miller directs three of the six selections in the AM Jazz spring concert on Friday, May 7.
“A student director is unusual for us,” said HSU Music professor Paul Cummings, “but we want to give Sky that experience, since this is what he’s preparing to do after graduation.”
Miller will lead the jazz band in “Boogie Express,” a tune by Sonny Nestico (arranger for the Count Basie Band) in an early 20th century shuffle style. “Manteca” is a Latin tune by Dizzy Gillespie, and “Black Butterfly” is a ballad by Duke Ellington, arranged by Benny Carter.
Paul Cummings directs the band in the other three tunes: “Straight, No Chaser” by Thelonious Monk, “Ran Kan Kan” by Tito Puente and “The Mooch” by Duke Ellington. “The Mooch” is another early 20th century tune, which features two trumpets using plunger mutes. “These emulate the sound of the human voice better than other mutes,” Cummings said, “so the effect is a conversation between the two players.”
The AM JAZZ BAND plays on Thursday May 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: Humboldt State Now.
HSU senior, Music Education major and saxophonist Sky Miller directs three of the six selections in the AM Jazz spring concert on Friday, May 7.
“A student director is unusual for us,” said HSU Music professor Paul Cummings, “but we want to give Sky that experience, since this is what he’s preparing to do after graduation.”
Miller will lead the jazz band in “Boogie Express,” a tune by Sonny Nestico (arranger for the Count Basie Band) in an early 20th century shuffle style. “Manteca” is a Latin tune by Dizzy Gillespie, and “Black Butterfly” is a ballad by Duke Ellington, arranged by Benny Carter.
Paul Cummings directs the band in the other three tunes: “Straight, No Chaser” by Thelonious Monk, “Ran Kan Kan” by Tito Puente and “The Mooch” by Duke Ellington. “The Mooch” is another early 20th century tune, which features two trumpets using plunger mutes. “These emulate the sound of the human voice better than other mutes,” Cummings said, “so the effect is a conversation between the two players.”
The AM JAZZ BAND plays on Thursday May 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: Humboldt State Now.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Madrigal and Mad River Transit Singers
HSU Madrigal Singers sing to spring and Mad River Transit vocalize jazz standards of the 30s and 40s on Sunday, May 3 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; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
HSU Madrigal Singers sing to spring and Mad River Transit vocalize jazz standards of the 30s and 40s on Sunday, May 3 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; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Vocal Variety at Fulkerson Hall
Three ensembles present a panoply of vocal music in concert at the Fulkerson Recital Hall on Sunday, May 3.
The jazz vocalists of Mad River Transit sing upbeat and romantic jazz tunes, backed by a rhythm section of piano (Darius Brotman), bass (Robert Amirkhan) and drums (Jonathan Kipps.) Singing solo and in various combinations, MRT performs songs by Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Lionel Hampton, Bobby McFerrin, Hoagy Carmichael, T-Bone Walker and others.
For example, singers Sarah Benzinger and Samuel Kaplan-Good perform “The Nearness of You” by Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington, first made popular in 1938 by the Glenn Miller Band, and recorded by singers from Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan to Rod Stewart, Diana Krall and Norah Jones. Six of the singers will contribute on “Stormy Monday Blues,” T-Bone Walker’s signature tune, recorded by Eric Clapton, Jethro Tull and the Allman Brothers, among many others.
Soloists on the MRT program include Darius Brotman, Bobby Amirkhan, Jessica Malone, Berol Steinberg, Claire Bent, Kaeden Williams, Sarah Benzinger, Samuel Kaplan-Good, Calista LaBolle, Michael Scott, and Nick Tringale.
The first part of the program is performed by the HSU Madrigal Singers and a chamber vocal ensemble led by senior music education major Jamie Banister.
Their selections include three compositions by Thomas Morely, the most prominent composer of secular music in Elizabethan England, as well as madrigals by Shakespeare-era composers William Holborne and Thomas Bateson. “Ah, Pity Me, Beloved” is by Italian late Renaissance composer Luca Marenzio, who provides a transitional link to Baroque music.
Director of the Madrigal Singers and MRT is HSU Music Department professor Harley Muilenburg. Their spring concert begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 3 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 ensembles present a panoply of vocal music in concert at the Fulkerson Recital Hall on Sunday, May 3.
The jazz vocalists of Mad River Transit sing upbeat and romantic jazz tunes, backed by a rhythm section of piano (Darius Brotman), bass (Robert Amirkhan) and drums (Jonathan Kipps.) Singing solo and in various combinations, MRT performs songs by Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Lionel Hampton, Bobby McFerrin, Hoagy Carmichael, T-Bone Walker and others.
For example, singers Sarah Benzinger and Samuel Kaplan-Good perform “The Nearness of You” by Hoagy Carmichael and Ned Washington, first made popular in 1938 by the Glenn Miller Band, and recorded by singers from Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan to Rod Stewart, Diana Krall and Norah Jones. Six of the singers will contribute on “Stormy Monday Blues,” T-Bone Walker’s signature tune, recorded by Eric Clapton, Jethro Tull and the Allman Brothers, among many others.
Soloists on the MRT program include Darius Brotman, Bobby Amirkhan, Jessica Malone, Berol Steinberg, Claire Bent, Kaeden Williams, Sarah Benzinger, Samuel Kaplan-Good, Calista LaBolle, Michael Scott, and Nick Tringale.
The first part of the program is performed by the HSU Madrigal Singers and a chamber vocal ensemble led by senior music education major Jamie Banister.
Their selections include three compositions by Thomas Morely, the most prominent composer of secular music in Elizabethan England, as well as madrigals by Shakespeare-era composers William Holborne and Thomas Bateson. “Ah, Pity Me, Beloved” is by Italian late Renaissance composer Luca Marenzio, who provides a transitional link to Baroque music.
Director of the Madrigal Singers and MRT is HSU Music Department professor Harley Muilenburg. Their spring concert begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 3 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.
Personnel
Madrigal Singers
Soprano
Kristine Broughton
Tiffany Guenter
Elizabeth Holverson
Jamie Ivory
Amy O'Hanlon
Cally Staats
Bonnie Stewart
Alto
Jessica Breault
Sadie Brennan
Elizabeth Faith Eastwood
Michele Enenstein
Carly Hanssler
Jacqueline Robertson
Kristina Toomata
Brittany Williams
Lords
James Hudson
John Pettlon
Blake Rouzer
Joseph Russavage
Vocal Chamber Singers
Jamie Banister
Julie Gilder
Kalea Hammond
Jamie Obeso
Nick Tringale
Molly Servedia
Emily Skold
MRT Singers
Soprano
Jessica Malone
Sarah Benzinger
Kelly Whitaker
Tenor
Joshua Boronkay
Samuel Kaplan-Good
Bernie Steinberg
Alto
Claire Bent
Calista LaBolle
Kaeden Williams
Baritone/Bass
Bryan Lieser
Michael Scott
Nick Tringale
Rhythm Section
Darius Brotman, Piano
Robert Amirkhan, Bass
Jonathan Kipp, Drums
Madrigal Singers
Soprano
Kristine Broughton
Tiffany Guenter
Elizabeth Holverson
Jamie Ivory
Amy O'Hanlon
Cally Staats
Bonnie Stewart
Alto
Jessica Breault
Sadie Brennan
Elizabeth Faith Eastwood
Michele Enenstein
Carly Hanssler
Jacqueline Robertson
Kristina Toomata
Brittany Williams
Lords
James Hudson
John Pettlon
Blake Rouzer
Joseph Russavage
Vocal Chamber Singers
Jamie Banister
Julie Gilder
Kalea Hammond
Jamie Obeso
Nick Tringale
Molly Servedia
Emily Skold
MRT Singers
Soprano
Jessica Malone
Sarah Benzinger
Kelly Whitaker
Tenor
Joshua Boronkay
Samuel Kaplan-Good
Bernie Steinberg
Alto
Claire Bent
Calista LaBolle
Kaeden Williams
Baritone/Bass
Bryan Lieser
Michael Scott
Nick Tringale
Rhythm Section
Darius Brotman, Piano
Robert Amirkhan, Bass
Jonathan Kipp, Drums
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Percussion Ensemble & Calypso Band
HSU Calypso Band, Percussion Ensemble and World Percussion Group offer a Varese classic, folkloric music of Africa and Latin America, and high energy Caribbean dance music on Saturday, May 2 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 Dr. Eugene Novotney and Howard Kaufman; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
HSU Calypso Band, Percussion Ensemble and World Percussion Group offer a Varese classic, folkloric music of Africa and Latin America, and high energy Caribbean dance music on Saturday, May 2 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 Dr. Eugene Novotney and Howard Kaufman; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Get Ionized with the HSU Calypso Band and Percussion Ensemble
Recently returned from performances at the Northwest Percussion Festival in Oregon, the HSU Percussion Ensemble, HSU World Percussion Group, and the Humboldt State Calypso Band present their combined spring concert on May 2 in the Van Duzer Theatre.
The Percussion Ensemble performs “Ionisation” by 20th century modern experimental composer Edgard Varese. “Ionisation is widely considered the most important composition in the entire percussion ensemble repertoire,” said director Dr. Eugene Novotney. It calls for an array of instruments and sounds, including maracas, guiros, cow bells, bongos, sleigh bells, castanets, a glockenspiel, a lion’s roar, two anvils, and two hand- crank sirens. The Ensemble uses the exact low-pitch fire siren Varese specified in his 1931 score, and an authentic high-pitch combat field siren.
Also during the first half of the combined concert, the HSU Marimba Band plays the folkloric marimba music of Mexico, Guatamala and Africa, and the HSU World Percussion Group conducted by Howard Kaufman performs the folkloric music of Cuba, ending with an exciting rendition of the famous carnival music, Conga de Comparsa.
As always, the second half of the concert belongs to the Humboldt State Calypso Band, one of Humboldt County’s most popular ensembles. The band is dedicated to the performance of traditional and contemporary music from the Caribbean, Africa, Brazil, Cuba and the United States, and always includes high-energy dance music.
The combined spring concert of the HSU Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and Calypso Band happens on Saturday, May 2 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 Dr. Eugene Novotney and Howard Kaufman; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Media: Arcata Eye, North Coast Journal, Humboldt State Now.
Recently returned from performances at the Northwest Percussion Festival in Oregon, the HSU Percussion Ensemble, HSU World Percussion Group, and the Humboldt State Calypso Band present their combined spring concert on May 2 in the Van Duzer Theatre.
The Percussion Ensemble performs “Ionisation” by 20th century modern experimental composer Edgard Varese. “Ionisation is widely considered the most important composition in the entire percussion ensemble repertoire,” said director Dr. Eugene Novotney. It calls for an array of instruments and sounds, including maracas, guiros, cow bells, bongos, sleigh bells, castanets, a glockenspiel, a lion’s roar, two anvils, and two hand- crank sirens. The Ensemble uses the exact low-pitch fire siren Varese specified in his 1931 score, and an authentic high-pitch combat field siren.
Also during the first half of the combined concert, the HSU Marimba Band plays the folkloric marimba music of Mexico, Guatamala and Africa, and the HSU World Percussion Group conducted by Howard Kaufman performs the folkloric music of Cuba, ending with an exciting rendition of the famous carnival music, Conga de Comparsa.
As always, the second half of the concert belongs to the Humboldt State Calypso Band, one of Humboldt County’s most popular ensembles. The band is dedicated to the performance of traditional and contemporary music from the Caribbean, Africa, Brazil, Cuba and the United States, and always includes high-energy dance music.
The combined spring concert of the HSU Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and Calypso Band happens on Saturday, May 2 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 Dr. Eugene Novotney and Howard Kaufman; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Media: Arcata Eye, North Coast Journal, Humboldt State Now.
Director's Notes
As the centerpiece of this concert, the Humboldt State Percussion Ensemble will be performing an extremely revolutionary work by Edgard Varese entitled Ionization. Written in 1931, Ionisation features 14 performers playing over 47 different instruments. The sound mass and texture fields heard in the piece are both colorful and dense.
As well as a grand piano and all of the standard instruments of the percussion family, Varese also calls for Afro-Cuban instruments such, and exotic instruments such as gongs, sleighbells, castagnetts, a glockenspiel, a lions roar, two anvils, and, perhaps the most unique of all, two hand crank sirens. The low-pitched siren used by the Humboldt State Percussion Ensemble is the exact Sterling type II hand crank fire siren that Varese specified in his 1931 score. The high-pitched siren is an authentic combat field siren issued by the US military and made by the Federal Electric Company in Chicago, Illinois.
Often considered a radical futurist, Varese claims that he was interested in sound for sounds sake alone, and for that reason, considered all sounds as valid. As early as the 1930s, Varese heard the sound of the siren as a result of the modern world, and as such, he used it as a musical instrument in his composition. Many scholars have noted that Varese's ideas and experiments with sound, which predated the invention of the first synthesizer by almost 40 years, had an extensive effect on the development of electronic music. This is certain to be a memorable performance that should not be missed!
Also featured on the first half of the concert, the HSU Marimba Band will present the folkloric marimba music of Mexico, Guatamala, and Africa, and the HSU World Percussion Group will present the folkloric music of Cuba, ending with an exciting rendition of the famous Cuban carnival music, Conga de Comparsa.
The second half of the show will feature the festive dance music of the Humboldt State Calypso Band. One of Humboldt County's favorite ensembles, the Calypso Band will feature several high-energy dance compositions from the Caribbean in their set.
The Humboldt State Calypso Band prides itself in maintaining an accurate and authentic connection to the roots of the steel band movement and the innovative musicians of Trinidad, the island on which this unique percussion phenomenon was born. The band is dedicated to the performance of traditional and contemporary music from the Caribbean, Africa, Brazil, Cuba and the United States.
In addition to its regular performances at Humboldt State and throughout Northern California, the band has undertaken tours to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno, Oakland, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Seattle, WA, and has just returned from a standing ovation performance at the Northwest Percussion Festival held at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon.
As the centerpiece of this concert, the Humboldt State Percussion Ensemble will be performing an extremely revolutionary work by Edgard Varese entitled Ionization. Written in 1931, Ionisation features 14 performers playing over 47 different instruments. The sound mass and texture fields heard in the piece are both colorful and dense.
As well as a grand piano and all of the standard instruments of the percussion family, Varese also calls for Afro-Cuban instruments such, and exotic instruments such as gongs, sleighbells, castagnetts, a glockenspiel, a lions roar, two anvils, and, perhaps the most unique of all, two hand crank sirens. The low-pitched siren used by the Humboldt State Percussion Ensemble is the exact Sterling type II hand crank fire siren that Varese specified in his 1931 score. The high-pitched siren is an authentic combat field siren issued by the US military and made by the Federal Electric Company in Chicago, Illinois.
Often considered a radical futurist, Varese claims that he was interested in sound for sounds sake alone, and for that reason, considered all sounds as valid. As early as the 1930s, Varese heard the sound of the siren as a result of the modern world, and as such, he used it as a musical instrument in his composition. Many scholars have noted that Varese's ideas and experiments with sound, which predated the invention of the first synthesizer by almost 40 years, had an extensive effect on the development of electronic music. This is certain to be a memorable performance that should not be missed!
Also featured on the first half of the concert, the HSU Marimba Band will present the folkloric marimba music of Mexico, Guatamala, and Africa, and the HSU World Percussion Group will present the folkloric music of Cuba, ending with an exciting rendition of the famous Cuban carnival music, Conga de Comparsa.
The second half of the show will feature the festive dance music of the Humboldt State Calypso Band. One of Humboldt County's favorite ensembles, the Calypso Band will feature several high-energy dance compositions from the Caribbean in their set.
The Humboldt State Calypso Band prides itself in maintaining an accurate and authentic connection to the roots of the steel band movement and the innovative musicians of Trinidad, the island on which this unique percussion phenomenon was born. The band is dedicated to the performance of traditional and contemporary music from the Caribbean, Africa, Brazil, Cuba and the United States.
In addition to its regular performances at Humboldt State and throughout Northern California, the band has undertaken tours to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno, Oakland, Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Seattle, WA, and has just returned from a standing ovation performance at the Northwest Percussion Festival held at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Symphonic Band
HSU Symphonic Band rides The Ghost Train in their spring concert on Friday May 1 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 Kenneth Ayoob; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
HSU Symphonic Band rides The Ghost Train in their spring concert on Friday May 1 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 Kenneth Ayoob; presented by the HSU Department of Music.
Ride the Ghost Train with the HSU Symphonic Band
The sounds of trains passing in the night aren’t heard anymore in Arcata, but they will be again in Fulkerson Recital Hall on May 1.
The HSU Symphonic Band spring concert features the popular new band composition, “Ghost Train,” by contemporary Los Angeles composer David Whitaker. Recorded more than forty times by bands and orchestras, this piece “depicts the legend of the Ghost Train that comes slowly out of the mist, building speed and careening down the tracks,” according to Kenneth P. Ayoob, conducting the Symphonic Band. “It features percussion, asymmetric meters and the hypnotic sound of the train.”
The program of wind music from English and American composers also includes a march by the “March King,” John Philip Sousa (“The Fairest of the Fair”) and a setting of three “Old American Songs” by Aaron Copland, which features baritone Christopher Hatcher.
The orchestra plays two classics of the British Band style: “Original Suite” by Gordon Jacob, and “Mannin Veen” by Haydn Wood, a tone poem that evokes the music and dance of the Isle of Man. “Be Thou My Vision” by noted composer and percussionist David Gillingham “is a beautiful setting of the hymn coupled with a counter melody of two Irish songs,” Ayoob said.
The Symphonic Band spring concert is Friday May 1 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 sounds of trains passing in the night aren’t heard anymore in Arcata, but they will be again in Fulkerson Recital Hall on May 1.
The HSU Symphonic Band spring concert features the popular new band composition, “Ghost Train,” by contemporary Los Angeles composer David Whitaker. Recorded more than forty times by bands and orchestras, this piece “depicts the legend of the Ghost Train that comes slowly out of the mist, building speed and careening down the tracks,” according to Kenneth P. Ayoob, conducting the Symphonic Band. “It features percussion, asymmetric meters and the hypnotic sound of the train.”
The program of wind music from English and American composers also includes a march by the “March King,” John Philip Sousa (“The Fairest of the Fair”) and a setting of three “Old American Songs” by Aaron Copland, which features baritone Christopher Hatcher.
The orchestra plays two classics of the British Band style: “Original Suite” by Gordon Jacob, and “Mannin Veen” by Haydn Wood, a tone poem that evokes the music and dance of the Isle of Man. “Be Thou My Vision” by noted composer and percussionist David Gillingham “is a beautiful setting of the hymn coupled with a counter melody of two Irish songs,” Ayoob said.
The Symphonic Band spring concert is Friday May 1 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.
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