Main

March 4, 2013

Faculty News: Tom Ashworth's 2014 Brass Symposium and James Dillon's "Guardian" Review

TomAshworth.jpgTom Ashworth (trombone) has submitted four successful grant proposals in the past year, and was most recently awarded a $6,500 CLA Imagine Grant for Special Events for the 2014 U of M Brass Symposium: Building Musical Bridges. The symposium will feature area professional brass ensembles, U of M student ensembles, and eight high school and college ensembles at Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall and Ted Mann Concert Hall. In addition, the ensembles will perform at local schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and churches. The April 2014 symposium will feature faculty members in several panel discussions on public engagement and entrepreneurship. If your college or high school brass ensemble (quintet or larger) would like to participate in the symposium, contact Tom Ashworth.

DillonJames.jpgJames Dillon (composition) received a glowing review from The Guardian in the article "A Guide to James Dillon's music." Reviewer Tom Service writes, "...Dillon has created some of the most inventive and thrillingly expressive contemporary music around" and "Dillon's music is fearlessly, relentlessly explorative. To hear it is to confront a volcanic imagination that makes listening an act of thrilling, vertiginous unpredictability." Read the review.

February 27, 2013

School of Music at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter In-Service Clinic

The School of Music was well represented at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter In-Service Clinic (February 13-15).

School of Music professors Akosua Addo, Keitha Hamann, Scott Lipscomb, Michael Silverman, and Laura Sindberg presented sessions. SOM music education graduate students Kinh T. Vu and Casey Clementson presented a poster session hosted by Keitha Hamann.


trombonesAtMMEA.jpg

The U of M Trombone Choir and Jazz 'Bones (pictured above) performed selections by Grieg, Gabrieli, Saint Saens, Mahler, and Haydn and the Jazz 'Bones performed music by Hoagy Carmichael and Dean Sorenson. U of M alumnus and member of the US Army Blues Victor Barranco was guest soloist and guest conductors were Jerry Luckhardt and Henry Charles Smith.

The following School of Music performance and music education students performed in the Intercollegiate Band: Lindsay Cox, Haley Cramer, Camille Galles, Jennifer Minor, Drew Morrisette, Roy Peinaar, Brianna Preblich, Robert Reeve, and Michelle Robertus.

SOM student teacher Cameron Kinghorn conducted a segment of a concert presented by the elementary school students he teaches.

School of Music staff Anne Barnes, Laura Krider, and Anabel Wirt were in attendance representing the SOM.

February 18, 2013

Preview 'Rite of Spring' with Mark Russell Smith and the Joffrey Ballet

USO Rite of Spring.pngMark Russell Smith (orchestras) conducts the University Symphony Orchestra as they perform Stravinsky's Rite of Spring with the Joffrey Ballet. Learn more about the performance by listening to Mark Russell Smith's talk (given on February 14) or by watching the preview video.

November 27, 2012

Faculty News: Matthew Mehaffey produces Handel's "Messiah" and Sally O'Reilly's students' accomplishments

Matthew_MehaffeySQ.pngMatthew Mehaffey (choral) has hired a chamber orchestra and 16 of the Twin Cities' finest vocalists to present an all-professional production of George Frederic Handel's iconic oratorio Messiah at Central Presbyterian Church (500 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN, 55010) on December 14 at 8 p.m. This concert is sponsored by the Oratorio Society of Minnesota. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for students. Visit the Oratorio Society website or call 866-811-4111 for more information.

18656.jpegSally O'Reilly's (violin) students James Zabawa (B.M. candidate, violin) and Jason Shu (private student) have been chosen to perform in Joseph Silverstein's
violin masterclass on December 1 at MacPhail Center for Music at 2 p.m. Both Zabawa and Shu attended Italy Summer Music in Pienza last August. Shu also received a Performers Award in the MNSOTA Mary West Solo Competition earlier this month.

November 26, 2012

U of M School of Music & MacPhail Center for Music Kick Off New Chamber Series with 'An Evening of Collaborative Percussion' (12/1)

The University of Minnesota School of Music and MacPhail Center for Music will present the first of four concerts in a new chamber series with An Evening of Collaborative Percussion on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 8 p.m. at MacPhail's Antonello Hall. The evening will feature U of M School of Music professor Fernando Meza, MacPhail president, COO and teaching artist Paul Babcock, the U of M Percussion Ensemble, and the MacPhail Rimshots! Percussion Ensemble. Events in this series are free and open to the public. Read more.

November 12, 2012

Faculty performance: Hill House Chamber Players

HillHousePlayers.jpgHill House Chamber Players will present recital on Mondays, November 19 and 26. Music of SOM former faculty member Jeffrey Van, Janacek and Dvorak. Performances by SOM faculty members Adriana Zabala, Tanya Remenikova, Thomas Turner, and Jeffrey Van; Cathy Schubliske of the Minnesota Orchestra; and pianist Ivan Konev (SOM alumnus). Concerts are held at the Hill House in St. Paul at 7:30 p.m. More information at schubert.org.

November 8, 2012

Video preview of University Opera Theatre's production of Verdi's "Falstaff"

FalstaffVideo1.pngWatch a video preview of University Opera Theatre's production of Verdi's "Falstaff," which opens next week (11/15-18). Student tickets are only $5! More information on this production can be found at opera.umn.edu.

Video produced and edited by SOM University Opera Theatre student Joseph Okell.

November 5, 2012

Alumna Rachel Drehmann performs on "The Colbert Report" with David Byrne & St. Vincent

bio_rachelf2f125.jpgWatch SOM alumna Rachel Drehmann (B.M., 2004, french horn) perform on The Colbert Report (11/1) with David Byrne & St. Vincent. You can also catch Drehmann with her chamber ensemble Genghis Barbie, which performs horn arrangements of pop music from the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s & today. Watch the video.

October 22, 2012

University Opera Theatre's "Parables" on Twin Cities Public Television

ParablesDancers.jpgLook for University Opera Theatre's production of Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein's Parables, directed by David Walsh, on Twin Cities Public Television this fall! The first Parables broadcast will take place on Sunday, October 28 at 8 p.m. Find more times.

October 17, 2012

Collage Concert featured in U of M News story

Dominick_Argento.jpgGear up for this Saturday's Collage Concert celebrating composer and faculty emeritus Dominick Argento by reading this U of M News story "Setting life to music" on Argento.

Faculty News: Bribitzer-Stull and Painter book contribution, Fiterstein performances, Luckhardt article feature, Mazzola guest lecture, and O'Reilly interview

legacyBook.jpgMatthew Bribitzer-Stull's (music theory) article "From Nibelheim to Hollywood: The Associativity of Harmonic Progression" and Karen Painter's (musicology/ethnomusicology) article "Depoliticizing America's Wagner in the Nazi Era" appear in The Legacy of Richard Wagner, edited by Luca Sala and published by Brepols Publishers.

FitersteinAlexanderSQ.jpgAlexander Fiterstein (clarinet) recently performed three concerts with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as soloist in Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto with conductor Thomas Dausgaard. Of the performances the Star Tribune wrote "Alexander Fiterstein proved a mercurial and sure footed soloist, fully equal to Nielsen's virtuosic and histrionic demands" and the Pioneer Press wrote "The Nielsen Concerto proved a fabulous forum for the skills of soloist Alexander Fiterstein." This week Alexander Fiterstein performs the same concerto in Columbia, SC with the University of South Carolina Symphony.

jerry_luckhardt5bff52.pngJerry Luckhardt (bands) is featured in the Star Tribune article "Sweet, but deafening, sound of music" on ear protection and health risks for musicians. Also featured in the article is Luckhardt's daughter, Emily Luckhardt, who is drum major of Rosemount High's marching band.

Mazzola_Guerino7d067d.jpgGuerino Mazzola (creativity, improvisation, and mathematical music theory) was invited to deliver the annual William Poland Lecture in Music Theory at Ohio State University. The prestigious William Poland Lecture has been given by leading lights in the field of music theory since 1990, among them David Lewin and Richard Cohn.

18656.jpegSally O'Reilly (violin) was interviewed for the article "3 Steps Along the Road Toward Greater Musical Confidence" by Christopher Roberts in the November issue of Strings Magazine.

October 1, 2012

Look for University Opera Theatre's "Parables" on Twin Cities Public Television this fall

ParablesDancers.jpgLook for University Opera Theatre's production of Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein's Parables, directed by David Walsh, on Twin Cities Public Television this fall! The first Parables broadcast will take place on Sunday, October 28 at 8 p.m. Find more times.

Parables on Twin Cities Public Television is a Minnesota partnership production and is a co-production of the University of Minnesota School of Music and Twin Cities Public Television with additional funding from Douglas and Andrew Reeves in honor of their parents, J.B. and Julie Reeves. Learn about University Opera Theatre's current season here.

Angela Wyatt's upcoming performances with the Ancia Saxophone Quartet

WyattAngela.jpgThe Ancia Saxophone Quartet, which includes faculty member Angela Wyatt (saxophone), will perform in Sateren Auditorium at Augsburg College on Thursday, October 11 at 7 p.m. The concert will feature Ives' String Quartet No. 1, Alexander Glazunov's Quartet, William Albright's Fantasy Etudes and selections by Astor Piazzolla. The concert will conclude with Will Gregory's High Life, a groove-based piece featuring the soprano saxophone, based on the West African pop-influenced musical style of the same name. Admission is free and open to the public. Visit Ancia Saxophone Quartet's website for more information.

August 24, 2012

U of M School of Music 2012 Convocation Honoring Maria Schneider with Dawn Upshaw, David Frost, and Tim Martyn

Maria Schneider.jpgThe U of M School of Music will confer an honorary degree on Grammy winning composer, arranger, and big band leader, and School of Music alumna Maria Schneider on Monday, September 24 at 10 am at the U of M School of Music's Fall Convocation at Ted Mann Concert Hall. The Doctor of Humane Letters is the highest award conferred by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, recognizing individuals who have achieved acknowledged eminence in their field. This event is free and open to the public. The Convocation program will feature a conversation on Creativity for Music Careers: Leveraging Talent, Technic, and Tenacity with internationally renowned soprano Dawn Upshaw, producer David Frost, and engineer Tim Martyn moderated by School of Music director David Myers. The University of Minnesota Jazz Ensemble I, under the director of jazz professor Dean Sorenson, will perform works by Maria Schneider. Read more.

U of M School of Music 2012 Convocation Honoring Maria Schneider with Dawn Upshaw, David Frost, and Tim Martyn

Maria Schneider.jpgThe U of M School of Music will confer an honorary degree on Grammy winning composer, arranger, and big band leader, and School of Music alumna Maria Schneider on Monday, September 24 at 10 am at the U of M School of Music's Fall Convocation at Ted Mann Concert Hall. The Doctor of Humane Letters is the highest award conferred by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, recognizing individuals who have achieved acknowledged eminence in their field. This event is free and open to the public. The Convocation program will feature a conversation on Creativity for Music Careers: Leveraging Talent, Technic, and Tenacity with internationally renowned soprano Dawn Upshaw, producer David Frost, and engineer Tim Martyn moderated by School of Music director David Myers. The University of Minnesota Jazz Ensemble I, under the director of jazz professor Dean Sorenson, will perform works by Maria Schneider. Read more.

July 30, 2012

Faculty News: Timothy Lovelace performs at 2012 Alexandria Festival of the Lakes and Fernando Meza's Youth Orchestra of the Americas

Lovelace_Tim.jpgTimothy Lovelace (collaborative piano) will perform in the 2012 Alexandria Festival of the Lakes on Friday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m at the United Methodist Church in Alexandria, MN. Ensemble 61, featuring SOM alumni, will perform in the festival as well. For ticket information and more, visit the Alexandria Festival of the Lakes website.

MezaFernandoSQ.jpgFernando Meza (percussion) was back for his 9th season as percussion coach for the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (YOA). The two week residence in preparation of the YOA tour of Chile was held at the University of La Serena in northern Chile. While in Chile, Meza worked with the young percussionists from the Peña Hen Experimental Music School and organized and performed in a successful percussion ensemble concert with musicians from YOA. Following his time in Chile, Meza was the faculty member for the Colombian Youth Philharmonic's residence, held at the Estelar Resort and Convention Center in the city of Paipa where he coached the percussionists of the CYP in preparation of their tour of Colombia and Brazil with internationally renowned violinist Sarah Chang.

July 16, 2012

Faculty News: Barbara Kierig asked to judge; Tanya Remenikova and alum Denis Evstuhin perform; and Adriana Zabala's Mill City Summer Opera Studio Artists Program

KierigBarbara.jpgBarbara Kierig (voice) has been asked to serve as a judge for the District Metropolitan Auditions in San Diego on October 13.

EvstuhinRemenikova.jpgFaculty member Tanya Remenikova (cello) and alumnus Denis Evstuhin (D.M.A., 2011, piano, student of Alexander Braginsky) gave a recital on July 14 at The Museum of Russian Art. Program included works by Grieg, Tchaikovky and Rachmaninov. They will perform on Sunday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the opening concert of the International Cello Academy "Cello: An American Experience." The program will include Sonatas for cello and piano by J.S. Bach, S. Barber, and F. Mendelssohn. The concert will take place at Urness Hall, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota.

MillCitySummerOpera.jpgAdriana Zabala (voice) was involved for two years in the development of the recently launched Mill City Summer Opera (MCSO). On July 12 the company started a sold-out run of Pagliacci in their unique venue, the Mill City Museum Ruin Courtyard. Founded by Karen Brooks and headed by Artistic Director David Lefkowich, MCSO also features a Studio Artists Program, built and directed by Professor Zabala. The Studio Artists Program, which includes nine singers from the University of Minnesota, includes Educational Engagement, master classes, main stage chorus, and a Showcase performance entitled Let's Make A Scene, which takes place on Thursday, July 19 at 8 p.m. in the Mill City Ruin Courtyard. It is free and open to the public. The University of Minnesota singers taking part in the MCSO Studio Artists Program are Elizabeth Steffensen, Sara Yoder, Carrie Hall, Reyna Sawtell, Sidney Walker, Brennan Blankenship, David Morgan, Richard Joseph, Joe Okell, Stephen Cunningham, Justin Spenner, and Stephen Mumbert.

June 13, 2012

D.M.A. Student Christa Saeger featured in U of M video

U of M School of Music student Christa Saeger, cello doctoral student of Tanya Remenikova, is featured in this U of M video.

June 11, 2012

Bravo! Advanced Studies for the Serious String Player and Pianist starts this week

Bravo! Advanced Studies for the Serious String Player and Pianist was established in 1989 by Sally O'Reilly to meet the needs of the growing number of young musicians who choose to spend a portion of each summer focusing on their development as musicians and instrumentalists. Bravo! began on Sunday, June 10 and culminates on Saturday, July 7 at the Bravo! Gala concert at Ted Mann Concert Hall. For a complete schedule of events and information about the program, visit the Bravo! page.

May 29, 2012

Alumni News: Anna DeGraff, Paul Hindemith, and Jeffrey Madison to perform in Minnesota Orchestra's Sommerfest; Lynn L. Petersen award and publications

Anna DeGraff (D.M.A., 2012, voice, student of John De Haan) will perform the role of Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto in Concert as part of Minnesota Orchestra's Sommerfest on Saturday, July 28 at Ted Mann Concert Hall at 8 p.m. The cast also includes Paul Hindemith (D.M.A, voice) as Count Ceprano and Jeffrey Madison (D.M.A., voice, student of John De Haan) as Monterone.

Lynn L. Petersen (Ph.D., 1989, music theory & composition), associate professor of music at Carroll College in Helena, Montana, was awarded the 2012 Distinguished Scholar Award at Carroll's Commencement, recognizing her work as a composer and pianist. Her collection Thankfulness and Praise: Ten Organ Settings was published recently by Augsburg Fortress. Her composition "Whirlwind Duo" was included in the collection Pipings for Flute and Organ, also published recently by Augsburg Fortress.

May 10, 2012

SOM Professor Lydia Artymiw and SOM Alumnus Andrew Staupe Featured on American Public Media's 'Performance Today'

ArtymiwLydiaSQ.jpgListen to School of Music professor Lydia Artymiw (piano) and School of Music alumnus Andrew Staupe (B.M., M.M., piano, student of Lydia Artymiw) on America Public Media's Performance Today on Friday, May 11 at 1 p.m. on Classical Minnesota Public Radio (KSJN-FM 99.5) and nationwide on public radio stations throughout the U.S. in a broadcast of their performance of Mozart: Concerto No. 10 in E-flat major for Two Pianos and Orchestra, K. 365/316a with the Minnesota Orchestra. The original performance took place under the baton of Osmo Vanska at Orchestra Hall on January 14, 2011. To find out where and when Performance Today is broadcast in your area, please visit the Performance Today website.

May 1, 2012

School of Music Orchestral Professor Mark Russell Smith Featured on MPR Classical In 'The Inspiring and Innovative Mark Russell Smith'

Larger view.jpegListen to School of Music orchestral professor Mark Russell Smith in conversation with Classical Minnesota Public Radio host Alison Young in "The Inspiring and Innovative Mark Russell Smith." Professor Smith talks about his favorite works and about the upcoming University Symphony Orchestra concert on Friday, May 4 at Ted Mann Concert Hall. The concert will feature Mahler's Totenfeier (1888), a performance of "Glitter and Be Gay" from Leonard Bernstein's Candide and "Non, Monsieur, mon mari" from Francis Poulenc's Les Mamelles De Tiresias (Alphonse LeDuc-King Music, Inc.) by Laura Hynes, the U of M School of Music concerto competition winner, and Strauss's Suite and Final Scene from Der Rosenkavalier.

Faculty News: Dean Billmeyer guest organist, Scott Lipscomb research team, and Alex Lubet book review

Billmeyer,DeanSq.jpgDean Billmeyer (organ) will be the featured guest organist at a service of Choral Evensong at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 6 at 4 p.m. The service will feature portions of Handel's Messiah with soloists and full orchestra. Among the soloists is School of Music alumna Krista Palmquist. Billmeyer gave an organ master class and solo recital at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, on April 21 and 22.

LipscombScottSQ.jpgScott D. Lipscomb (music education) spent the past week at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell working with colleagues toward the goal of reinforcing musical and computational learning through a team-teaching model. Lipscomb is serving on the research team as program evaluator for a three-year, $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation entitled "Computational Thinking Through Computing and Music." The team is designing collaborative workshops involving pairs of faculty - one from music, one from computer science. More about the program.

LubetAlexSQ.jpgAlex Lubet's (creative studies & media) Music, Disability and Society was reviewed in Disability & Society. Highlights include: "Lubet has been a pioneer in the field of music and disability, and his recent monograph Music, Disability, and Society is a major contribution. With his primarily first-person account of life and work within (and without) this field of study, Lubet opens up a new stream of humanitarian thought and methodology.... [A]n essential addition to the growing body of scholarship on music and disability... Lubet questions long-held ideas about the nature of disability, its social construction, and the field of Disability Studies itself."

April 20, 2012

School of Music Voice Professor Adriana Zabala featured on MPR Classical in 'Mezzo Adriana Zabala has all the right stuff'

Listen to School of Music voice professor Adriana Zabala in conversation with Classical Minnesota Public Radio host Alison Young in "Mezzo Adriana Zabala has all the right stuff." Professor Zabala talks about performing in University Opera Theatre's production of Robert Aldridge's Parables, running April 19 through April 22. She also chats with Alison Young about her desert island playlist.

April 19, 2012

U of M School of Music, University Opera Theatre's "Parables" featured on Minnesota Public Radio News

U of M School of Music, University Opera Theatre's production of Parables is featured on Minnesota Public Radio News' All Things Considered. Visit MPR's website to hear the story and view the slideshow.

MPR reporter Dan Olson also featured School of Music graduate voice student Anna DeGraff (student of John De Haan) on the MPR Blog, view the story here.

University Opera Theatre's production of Robert Aldridge's Parables runs from Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, April 22. Ticket information and more. Parables will be directed by University Opera Theatre's director David Walsh and conducted by Kathy Saltzman Romey.

April 12, 2012

Video: Preview University Opera Theatre's Upcoming Production of Robert Aldridge's "Parables"

parablesVideo.jpgCatch a sneak peek of University of Minnesota School of Music's upcoming production of Robert Aldridge's Parables! School of Music voice student Joseph Okell's preview video brings you behind the scenes in the making of the stage premiere of Aldridge's Parables. Parables runs from Thursday, April 19 through Sunday, April 22, 2012. Read more about the production and find out how to get tickets on the University Opera Theatre website.

February 28, 2012

Conductor Mark Russell Smith Interviewed on Classical Minnesota Public Radio

Listen to the School of Music's artistic director of orchestral studies Mark Russell Smith on Classical Minnesota Public Radio with host John Birge on Britten's War Requiem and the School of Music's Britten Peace Project.

Then read about the Britten War Requiem concert and last weekend's Jazz Festival on the Minneapolis Star Tribune's "Big Gigs for week of 2/24."

January 26, 2012

The U of M School of Music Presents The Parker Quartet, 2/8/12

The University of Minnesota School of Music will present the Parker Quartet in concert on Thursday, February 8, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at Ted Mann Concert Hall. Hailed by The New York Times as "something extraordinary," the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet visits as part of the School of Music's Creative Instructional Residency Initiative (CIRI) program. Program to include works by Mendelssohn, Kirchner, and Dvořák. This concert is free and open to the public. Read more.

November 15, 2011

University Opera Theatre presents Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, November 17-20, 2011

University Opera Theatre's presents W.A. Mozart's Cosi fan tutte (November 17-20, 2011) at Ted Mann Concert Hall (2128 4th St. S., Minneapolis, MN 55455). Read about Cosi fan tutte's opening in the Minnesota Daily. Directed by David Walsh and conducted by Mark Russell Smith.

Tickets: $22 general admission; $12 for U of M students; group rates available.
Two-for-one tickets for University students, faculty, staff, retirees, and alumni.
Call 612/624-2345 or visit www.opera.umn.edu.

Photo: School of Music students Joseph Okell, Lauren Lammers, and Tyler Schwichtenberg rehearse for this week's production of Mozart's Così fan tutte.

Continue reading "University Opera Theatre presents Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, November 17-20, 2011" »

July 7, 2011

University of Minnesota School of Music presents The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, September 8, 2011

glenn miller orchestra.jpgThe University of Minnesota School of Music will present The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra on Thursday, September 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Ted Mann Concert Hall (2128 Fourth Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55455). Tickets are $34/$29 (reserved seating) and are available by calling the University of Minnesota Tickets and Events Box Office at 612/624-2345 or online at tickets.umn.edu. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 8 at 10 a.m. Read more.

April 28, 2011

Festival of Community Bands featured in the Star Tribune

The U of M School of Music and the Encore Wind Ensemble's Festival of Community Bands, scheduled for Saturday, April 30, is featured in Kim Ode's article "Community bands offer fellowship of music" in the Star Tribune. School of Music professor Jerry Luckhardt is organizing the festival. School of Music conducting student Christina Chen-Beyers is also featured in the article and online slideshow.

April 22, 2011

University Symphony Orchestra to Perform Prior to Minnesota Orchestra Concert, April 29

University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Mark Russell Smith, will give a Pre-concert performance prior to the Minnesota Orchestra's concert at Orchestra Hall on Friday, April 29 at 6:25 p.m. The University Symphony Orchestra will perform Mahler's Symphony #3, movements 3 and 6. Maestra Marin Alsop will lead the Minnesota Orchestra in a performance of Brahms' Third at 8 p.m. U of M School of Music alumus Jonathan Magness will be the violin soloist.

You must purchase tickets for the 8 p.m. concert to attend the 6:25 p.m. Pre-concert with the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra. Ticket information can be found on the Minnesota Orchestra website.

U of M School of Music University Singers to premiere Swan Composer Prize winner Zvonimir Nagy's Cantus Jubilus on Saturday, April 30

The University of Minnesota School of Music's University Singers will premiere the 2010 Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize winning work Cantus Jubilus by Zvonimir Nagy. This choral work will be conducted by Kathy Saltzman Romey and Matthew Mehaffey on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Olaf Catholic Church (215 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402-2847). This event is free and open to the public.
As the 2011 Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize winner, Nagy has been invited to join the School of Music as artist in residence for the premiere of his work and dress rehearsals. The $1,500 Swan Composer Prize will be awarded formally at the work's premiere.

Read more.

April 7, 2011

University Opera Theatre's "Die Fledermaus" featured in Minnesota Daily

University Opera Theatre's (UOT) production of Strauss's operetta Die Fledermaus is featured in Marty Marosi's article "Students bring Golden Age Hollywood to opera's stage" in the Minnesota Daily. Please note that the article erroneously states that the opera opens next week. UOT's production of Die Fledermaus runs from Thursday, April 7 to Sunday, April 10. See opera.umn.edu for details.

March 29, 2011

SOM student Colin Holter writes about "ensemble dal niente: Music of James Dillon" in The Twin Cities Daily Planet

Read School of Music student Colin Holter's article "Dal Niente Plays Dillon" in the Twin Cities Daily Planet. This article focuses on ensemble dal niente's upcoming performance, titled "ensemble dal niente: Music of James Dillon," of School of Music composition professor James Dillon's work. This event will take place at The Southern Theater on Sunday, April 3 at 7 p.m. Visit The Southern Theater website for ticket information (including discounted student tickets).

March 28, 2011

Bravo! Summer String and Keyboard Institute Applications Being Accepted

Advanced studies for the serious string player and pianist.

June 12 - July 9, 2011
Sally O'Reilly, director
Bravo! was established to meet the needs of the growing number of young musicians who choose to spend a portion of each summer focusing on their development as instrumentalists. Students receive a one-hour private lesson, one technique class and two chamber music coaching sessions weekly.
More info.

March 16, 2011

SOM students to perform in "Before Bach's Birthday" Bash, 3/19

SOM piano students Kate Yeonjoo Bae, Loren Fishman, Min Jung Kim, Kevin Hobbs, Eunhye Choi, Sophie Christian (students of Lydia Artymiw), and Eun Kyung Ahn (student of Alexander Braginsky) along with students of Dean Billmeyer (organ) Brent Nolte, Joseph Henry, and Aaron Hirsch will participate in a day-long sequence of five free hour-long concerts in Saint Paul on Saturday, March 19. This "Before Bach's Birthday" Bash (BBBB) anticipates the coming of spring and celebrates the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Minnesota Public Radio's PIPEDREAMS program, in collaboration with the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (TCAGO) and the Bach Society of Minnesota, are collaborating to produce this all-day event. More info.

March 11, 2011

SOM's University Opera Theatre featured in Minnesota Magazine

David Walsh (director, University Opera Theatre) is featured in the March issue of Minnesota Magazine in an article titled "Strauss Goes Hollywood" on University Opera Theatre and its upcoming production of Strauss's Die Fledermaus (April 7-10). University Opera Theatre students Brianna Farah, John Grau, Laurent Kuehnl, Laura Lammers are also featured.

February 20, 2011

Campus closed until noon on Monday, February 21

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus will be closed until noon on Monday, February 21 because of severe winter weather. All classes scheduled to start before noon are cancelled. Classes and other events scheduled to start at noon or after will go on as planned and campus will reopen at that time. The University of Minnesota, Fairview, and other university clinics will remain open.

February 3, 2011

U of M Symphonic and University Bands presents the world premiere of composer Alex Shapiro's Immersion

The University of Minnesota's Symphonic and University Bands present the world premiere of Immersion for Symphonic Band by Alex Shapiro on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Ted Mann Concert Hall. This three-movement electro-acoustic work is inspired by water and water-based life and will include multi-media visual film art created by School of Music student Jay'd Hagberg in collaboration with the composer. This event is free and open to the public. Read more.

January 11, 2011

Bells for Haiti!

The School of Music will ring the University's carillon bells on January 12, 2011 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Haiti Earthquake. On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake devastated the country of Haiti. One year later, churches, schools, universities, and city halls will toll their bells in unison on the one-year anniversary of the earthquake--January 12, 2011, at 3:53 p.m. CST--for 35 seconds, the duration of the earthquake. For more information, visit the Facebook page or read the press release on the American Refugee Committee website.

November 24, 2010

Piano Professor Lydia Artymiw and Her Former Student Andrew Staupe to Perform Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos with the Minnesota Orchestra

School of Music piano professor Lydia Artymiw, along with her former pupil, St. Paul's own Andrew Staupe, will appear with the Minnesota Orchestra in a program titled Mid-Winter Mozart: Jupiter, The Final Symphony and will perform Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos on Friday, January 14 at 8 pm at Orchestra Hall. The School of Music's oboe professor John Snow will also be featured on the program and will perform Mozart's Oboe Concerto.

November 19, 2010

University Opera Theatre Students and "Elmer Gantry" Composer and Librettist featured on Classical Minnesota Public Radio

Listen to University Opera Theatre featured on Classical Minnesota Public Radio, with University Opera Theatre students performing selections from the current run of the new American opera "Elmer Gantry" and Classical MPR host Alison Young in conversation with "Elmer Gantry" composer Robert Aldridge and librettist Herschel Garfein. "Elmer Gantry" is running at the School of Music's Ted Mann Concert Hall through Sunday, November 21.

November 12, 2010

SOM Composition Professor James Dillon's "Nine Rivers" to Receive World Premiere

School of Music professor of composition, James Dillon, was featured in Ivan Hewitt's article "James Dillon: Many rivers to cross..." in The Telegrap. Dillon's orchestral epic Nine Rivers will receive its world premiere by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at Glasgow City Halls and Fruit Market on Sunday, November 14 and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 next year. Dillon's premiere was also featured in The Guardian, where he was called "Scotland's greatest living composer."

November 11, 2010

"Elmer Gantry" takes the stage at Ted Mann, U of M Opera Theatre brings Sinclair Lewis's charismatic preacher to life

SOM University Opera Theatre is featured on University of Minnesota homepage in the story "'Elmer Gantry' takes the stage at Ted Mann" by Deane Morrison.

The story features a video, which combines rehearsal photos with a duet between Elmer Gantry (Will Bryan) and Sharon Falconer (Bergen Baker) with pianist Joseph Welch. Also in this story, a Q &A with "Elmer Gantry" librettist Herschel Garfein.

Also, hear singers from the production, along with composer Robert Aldridge, librettist Herschel Garfein, and director David Walsh, at noon Friday, Nov. 19, on Classical Minnesota Public Radio, 99.5 FM in the Twin Cities.

November 3, 2010

Composer Robert Aldridge and Librettist Herschel Garfein will Visit the Twin Cities for the Minnesota Premiere of University Opera Theatre's production of Elmer Gantry

Composer Robert Aldridge and librettist Herschel Garfein will visit the Twin Cities for the Minnesota premiere of University Opera Theatre's production of Elmer Gantry. Pre-show lobby discussions with Aldridge and Garfein will take place November 18-20 at 6:45 pm in the Ted Mann Concert Hall Lobby. University Opera Theatre's production of Elmer Gantry will also feature J.D. Steele of The Steeles as the Revival Singer. Get your Elmer Gantry tickets today!

Join us for an Elmer Gantry Open Forum Discussion featuring Aldridge and Garfein with guests from U of M Creative Writing, the American Composers Forum, and the U of M School of Music will take place in the School of Music's Ferguson Hall, Room 99 (2106 Fourth Street South, Minneapolis, MN 55455) on Friday, November 19 from 3-5 p.m. This Open Forum is free and open to the public.

October 26, 2010

U of M School of Music's Featured November Events

The University of Minnesota School of Music's October and November featured event highlights include University Singers Fall Concert: The Music of Jeffrey Van (11/12), 49th Annual Marching Band Indoor Concert (11/13&14), Faculty Recital: Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet and Timothy Lovelace, piano (11/15), A Conversation with Carter Pann and Frank Ticheli (11/18), University Opera Theatre's Minnesota premiere of Robert Aldridge's Elmer Gantry (11/18-21), and Jazz Ensemble I opening for the JazzMN Orchestra (11/20).

Visit the School of Music press page for the complete release.

October 14, 2010

U of M School of music presents its 10th Anniversary Collage Concert in Honor of U of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks on Saturday, October 16

The U of M School of Music presents its 10th Anniversary Collage Concert, an annual ensemble concert with more than 400 students and faculty performing in a non-stop, surround-sound, musical extravaganza on Saturday, October 16 at 7:30 pm at Ted Mann Concert Hall (2128 4th St. S., Minneapolis). This year's concert program will honor University of Minnesota president Robert H. Bruininks and his wife Dr. Susan Hagstrum for their service to the University and their abiding support of the School of Music. Tickets are $16 for adults and $11 children and for University of Minnesota Students, faculty, staff, retirees, and alumni. General admission seating. To purchase tickets, call 612/624-2345 or visit tickets.umn.edu. All proceeds will support the School of Music Community Engagement Initiative.

October 12, 2010

Listen to the SOM's 10/13 Fall Convocation Keynote Speaker, Paul Phoenix, on MPR Classical

Listen to the October 13 SOM Fall Convocation Keynote Speaker, Paul Phoenix, in conversation with Minnesota Public Radio Classical host Alison Young on the MPR website.

The topic of Phoenix's keynote address is ""Engaging Audience and Community: A King's Singer's Perspective." Phoenix is a tenor with the world renowned King's Singers.

September 20, 2010

U of M School of Music Jazz Ensemble I to perform on KBEM's "Big Band Scene"

Listen to the University of Minnesota School of Music's Jazz Ensemble I on Jazz KBEM 88.5 FM's "Big Band Scene" hosted by Jerry Swanberg on Sunday, October 3 at 7 p.m. Jazz Ensemble I will be featured alongside other prominent Twin Cities big bands. Dean Sorenson is the director of the U of M School of Music jazz program.

June 22, 2010

U of M SOM Convocation to feature keynote speaker Paul Phoenix of The King's Singers, Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Paul Phoenix, acclaimed tenor with The King's Singers, and an avid spokesperson for musicians' ability to engage diverse audiences will give the U of M School of Music Fall Convocation program keynote address in Ted Mann Concert Hall (2128 Fourth Street South Minneapolis, MN 55455) on Wednesday, October 13th at 10 a.m. This event is free and open to the public. View the complete event release here.

March 18, 2010

U of M Opera Theatre presents W.A. Mozart's The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte), April 15-18

The University of Minnesota School of Music's University Opera Theatre will present W.A. Mozart's The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) this April at Ted Mann Concert Hall. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15 through Saturday, April 17 and at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 18. Featuring music by W.A. Mozart and libretto by Emmanuel Schikaneder. In German with English Supertitles.

Our production of this lyric drama in two acts encourages performers and audiences alike to peer behind the veneer of Mozart's incontestably sublime melodies and to explore new possibilities of meaning in an opera which goes to the very heart of the values and emotions which underpin human existence. Join the The Queen of the Night and Sarastro again in the University Opera Theatre's inventive take on this opera classic. Visit www.opera.umn.edu for complete information.

February 16, 2010

U of M School of Music and Office for Equity and Diversity to Host Martin Luther King and Black History Month Celebration

Join us on Sunday, February 21, 2010, from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., for the University of Minnesota's annual Martin Luther King and Black History Month Celebration in the Ted Mann Concert Hall. The event will feature a program of music, song, readings, and spoken word poetry, highlighted by solos from jazz vocalist, Charmin Michelle, and speech excerpts/readings by actor, vocalist, and educator, T. Mychael Rambo. School of Music violinist LaTannia Ellerbe will also perform with pianist Billy Steele. For complete information, visit the event website.

February 3, 2010

U of M School of Music's World of Improvisation presents "Playing on Clave: Afro-Cuban Concepts of Improvisation," featuring Damian Rodriguez

On Thursday, February 11, 2010, from 11:15 am-1:10 pm in Ferguson Hall's Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall on the U of M West Bank campus, the University of Minnesota School of Music's Worlds of Improvisation presents singer/percussionist Damian Rodriguez performing a set of Afro-Cuban music illustrating the rhythmic principles of clave-based improvisation. This concert will be followed by an informally staged interview, in which Rodriguez will discuss the development of his improvisational conceptions and respond to questions from audience members. This event is free and open to the public, tickets not required. See the event press release for more information.

December 3, 2009

SOM Graduate Student Jessica Narum Discuses Violinist Irvine Arditti's Upcoming Visit to the SOM on MPR's Art Hounds

Listen SOM graduate student Jessica Narum discuss violinist Irvine Arditti's upcoming visit to the School of Music on MPR's Art Hounds

The School of Music's Contemporary Music Workshop (CMW) will present a special series of events featuring world-renowned British violinist Irvine Arditti in his first visit to the Twin Cities in more than 15 years. For complete information, read the press release for this special series.

University Opera Theatre Featured in Minnesota Daily Video

Watch as three University of Minnesota graduate conducting students rehearse operas by Igor Stravinsky for the November 19-22, 2009 run of "Stravinsky in Paris" at Ted Mann Concert Hall. Minnesota Daily reporter Tom Johnson goes behind the scenes in this Minnesota Daily video to find out what it takes to prepare for three short operas in one evening. Click here for a related article in the Minnesota Daily.

October 8, 2009

The University of Minnesota School of Music presents a one-day "Instrumental Conducting Symposium" for professional band directors of all levels

Saturday, December 12, 2009 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ferguson Hall, University of Minneapolis

The Conducting Symposium will inspire you and invigorate your passion for teaching and music-making. The symposium focuses on issues of interest to music educators at all levels including effective rehearsal and conducting techniques, communication, and movement for conductors. You will learn how to become an advocate for genuine music-making by approaching it from the inside out. The Conducting Symposium will be limited to 50 overall participants with 12 conductors selected to participate as active conductors. Participants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

For more information, download the Conducting Schedule Cover Letter. To apply, download the Application and Conducting Component.

September 23, 2009

16th Annual High School Honor Band

The University of Minnesota High School Honor Band Weekend will be Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31, 2010. Ninety of the upper Midwest's finest young wind and percussion instrumentalists will rehearse and perform challenging wind music in Ted Mann Concert Hall.

For more information, download the Letter from the Directors.

To apply, download the application.

All applications and tapes must be received in the University of Minnesota Bands Office no later than Monday, November 9, 2009.

August 28, 2009

School of Music Fall 2009 Convocation with Keynote by Marin Alsop

Event will take place in Ted Mann Concert Hall on Tuesday, October 6 at 10 a.m. Featuring a keynote by Marin Alsop, internationally acclaimed conductor, on "Education and the Arts: Musicians as Engaged Leaders" and a performance of Leonard Bernstein's "Make Our Garden Grow" by the University Symphony Orchestra and Combined Choirs. Featured speakers also include James A. Parente, Jr., College of Liberal Arts Dean and David E. Myers, School of Music Director. The community is invited to attend. For more information on Marin Alsop, visit her website.

May 26, 2009

U of M School of Music Introduces New Summer Programs

Discover new and perennial U of M School of Music summer programs! New programs include Opera Arriva!, an opera intensive for advanced operatic performers, and the U of M Summer Orchestra. Visit our Summer at the School of Music to find the program for you.

October 6, 2008

University of Minnesota High School Honor Band Weekend

The fifteenth annual University of Minnesota High School Honor Band Weekend will be held on campus Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 1, 2009. This will be an opportunity for approximately ninety of the upper Midwest’s finest young wind and percussion instrumentalists to rehearse and perform challenging wind music in Ted Mann Concert Hall. High school students in grades 10–12 are eligible to participate. All applications and tapes must be received no later than Monday, November 10, 2008.

Download more information
Download the application

Instrumental Conducting Symposium: for professional band directors of all levels

The Conducting Symposium focuses on issues of interest to music educators at all levels including effective rehearsal and conducting techniques, communication and movement for conductors. You will learn how to become an advocate for genuine music-making by approaching it from the inside out. The symposium environment promotes creativity, collaboration, and personal renewal as the means to inspired teaching and dynamic performances. Symposium applications are due by Monday, November 10.

Download more information
Download repertoire
Download the application

April 23, 2008

University Theatre Opera announces its 2008/2009 Season

The University Opera Theatre will present The Rape of Lucretia, by Benjamin Britten in the fall of 2008 and Jenufa, by Leoš Janacek (in English) in the spring. Auditions for both operas are scheduled for Friday, April 25 from 7-10 pm and on Saturday, April 26th from 10:30 am-1:30 pm in Room 99. Contact David Walsh for more details.

March 19, 2008

Fifth Annual Concert of Balkan Contemporary Music BALKANICUS: Music from Albania, Bulgaria and Romania

Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall
Free and open to the public

Noriko Kawai, piano; John De Haan, voice; Nickolai Kolarov, cello; Rudolph Kremer, violin; and graduate students and members of the School of Music New Music Ensemble perform the works of Thomas Simaku (Albania), Ivan Spassov (Bulgaria), Simeon Pironkov (Bulgaria), Roumen Balyozov (Bulgaria), and Sorin Lerescu (Romania).

Continue reading "Fifth Annual Concert of Balkan Contemporary Music BALKANICUS: Music from Albania, Bulgaria and Romania" »

March 7, 2008

Alex Lubet and Iris Shiraishi at Dreamland Arts

Music for Japanese Instruments and Guitar
featuring Alex Lubet (theory/composition) and Iris Shiraishi
Fri, Mar 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Dreamland Arts, 677 Hamline Ave. N.
St. Paul, MN 55104
651-645-5506
http://www.dreamlandarts.com/events/detail.php?eventId=98
Pay what you can at the door, please reserve seats.

Continue reading "Alex Lubet and Iris Shiraishi at Dreamland Arts" »

February 27, 2008

Evstyukhin Wins 07/08 Concerto Competition

Congratulations to Denis Evstyukhin, who won the University Symphony Orchestra 2007/2008 Concerto Competition! Evstyukhin, a student of Alex Braginsky, won the competition playing Sergei Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2.; he will perform the same piece with the University Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Henry Charles Smith on March 9.

Nick Donatelle (student of Tanya Remenikova) and Chen-Yu Hsu (student of Jorja Fleezanis) each received an Honorable Mention in the Competition.

January 23, 2008

2008 Marvin O. Mechelke Piano Award Competition Cancelled

The Mechelke Competition will not take place this year. Information regarding next year's Mechelke Competition will be posted as soon as it is available. For questions and further information, please contact Professor Rebecca Shockley at shock001@umn.edu.

January 7, 2008

Guest Artists: Pro Arte Piano Trio

Don't miss the guest artist recital by Pro Arte Piano Trio on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7:30pm in Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall.

Continue reading "Guest Artists: Pro Arte Piano Trio" »

December 27, 2007

Faculty Recital: Alex Lubet and Iris Shiraishi

Iris Shiraishi and Alex Lubet (theory / composition) present Far East/Lower East a program of original music for Japanese instruments and guitar on Asian and Jewish themes at Form + Content Gallery, 210 2nd St N, Minneapolis on Sunday, January 6, 2-3 pm.

Continue reading "Faculty Recital: Alex Lubet and Iris Shiraishi" »