A musical theater world premiere, three of Mozart’s greatest piano concertos and a concert about war and peace are among many diverse events in the music department’s spring 2010 season at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
A musical theater world premiere, three of Mozart’s greatest piano concertos and a concert about war and peace are among many diverse events in the music department’s spring 2010 season at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“The music department offers something for everyone this spring – from our Digital Arts Festival to our world premiere of the chamber musical ‘Searching for Spinoza,’” said Terry Rhodes, D.M.A., professor and chair of the music department in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences. “Join us for an exciting lineup of concerts, lectures and master classes featuring our outstanding faculty, students and guest artists.”
The 33rd annual Carolina Jazz Festival, Feb. 24-27, will kick off with a Feb. 24 “Meet the Artists” jam session at 4 p.m. in Hill Hall Auditorium. The festival includes performances and educational opportunities. Many events are free.
Season highlights are listed below. For updated information and a full listing of events, visit http://music.unc.edu or call (919) 962-1039.
- Jan. 22: “Walton and Ravel,” part of the Music on the Hill series, 10 concerts per year that are presented with the Office of the Executive Director for the Arts. UNC faculty members present an unusual dramatic work by William Walton (1902-1983), featuring a mixed chamber ensemble and speakers. “Chansons Madécasses” by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) offers a perfect foil for Walton’s “Facade.” 8 p.m. Gerrard Hall. Featuring music faculty Evan Feldman, assistant professor of music and wind ensemble director; Brooks de Wetter-Smith, D.M.A., James Gordon Hanes Professor; Matthew McClure, music lecturer; Brent Wissick, Zachary Taylor Smith Distinguished Professor; Lynn Glassock, professor; James Ketch, professor and jazz studies director; and Terry Rhodes, professor and department chair. $15 public, $10, UNC students, faculty and staff. Information and tickets: (919) 843-3333.
- Feb. 16: Opening concert of the department’s Digital Arts Festival, which combines traditional instrumental music with that generated by computers and electronics. The 8 p.m. concert in Memorial Hall will feature faculty musicians, a display of images from the war in Iraq and an interactive environment. Several electro-acoustic compositions will be premiered. The concert also is the opening event of the CHAT (Collaborations: Humanities, Arts & Technology) Festival, Feb. 16-20 at UNC. For information, visit http:// www.chatfestival2010.com.
- March 15: Master class with UNC vocal students and Grammy Award-winning tenor and guest artist Anthony Dean Griffey. 4 p.m. Person Recital Hall. Free.
- March 19: An evening with pianist Stefan Litwin, George Kennedy Distinguished Professor of music, “Hidden Messages in Robert Schumann’s Piano Sonato Op. 11 in F-sharp minor,” part of the William S. Newman Artists Series in the department, which honors the late UNC music professor, historian and performing artist. 8 p.m. Gerrard Hall. $15 public; $10 UNC students, faculty and staff. Information and tickets: (919) 843-3333.
- March 26: “Trip Threes,” part of Music on the Hill. Three of Mozart’s (1856-1791) greatest piano concertos, performed by faculty pianists Mayron Tsong, D.M.A., associate professor; Thomas Otten, D.M.A., associate professor; and Wonmin Kim, lecturer, with string faculty. 8 p.m. Memorial Hall. $15 public; $10 UNC students, faculty and staff. Information and tickets: (919) 843-3333.
- April 13: “Carmina Burana,” part of Music on the Hill. Carl Orff’s (1895-1982) epic cantata features the UNC Symphony Orchestra with the Carolina Choir, UNC Chamber Singers and UNC Glee Clubs. Also featuring a new piano concerto by UNC’s Stephen Anderson, D.M.A., assistant professor, with University of North Texas pianist Steven Harlos. 7:30 p.m. Memorial Hall. $15 public; $10 UNC students, faculty and staff. Information and tickets: (919) 843-3333.
- April 14: “A Concert of War and Peace,” part of Music on the Hill. The UNC Wind Ensemble and UNC Symphony Band musically explore the range of emotions regarding war and peace, from the tragedy of human conflict to the hope of reconciliation and renewal. Conducted by Evan Feldman, assistant professor and wind ensemble director, and Matthew McClure, music lecturer. 7:30 p.m. Memorial Hall. $15 public; $10 UNC students, faculty and staff. Information and tickets: (919) 843-3333.
- April 16-20: “Searching for Spinoza”: UNC Opera presents the world premiere of this collaboration between UNC music alumna Suzanne Ishee, the producer of Broadway CenterStage in New York, and Thomas Conroy of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, composer and librettist for the piece. The musical chronicles the life of Dutch philosopher Baruch/Benedictus d’Spinoza, a champion of the separation of church and state and founder of European rationalism. April 16-17 at 8 p.m.; April 18-20 at 7:30 p.m., FedEx Global Education Center. Related events will occur on campus. For more Information, visit http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/3145/107/ . For tickets, call (919) 962-1039.
College of Arts and Sciences contact: Kim Spurr, (919) 962-4093, spurrk@email.unc.edu
News Services contact: L.J. Toler, (919) 962-8589