From jazz to marching band to string quartets, a variety
of musical styles will be showcased this fall by Eastern
Michigan University's Department of Music and Dance. Annual
favorites such as the Halloween concert, improvisation
symposium and children's dance concert return as part of
the 34 scheduled concerts.
Some highlights from this year's lineup include:
 |
FORWARD, MARCH: The EMU
Marching Band
will make a
guest appearance at the "Bands
of America"
regional
championship Oct. 7 at
Rynearson Stadium. |
More than 30 high school marching bands from across the
Midwest entertain and compete for the opportunity to perform
in the evening's regional championship competition finals
at "Bands of America" Saturday, Oct. 7, all day at Rynearson
Stadium. EMU's Marching Band takes the field for a guest
performance. General admission for preliminaries or finals
competitions is $14 individually, or $21 for both competitions.
For schedule information and advance tickets, visit www.bands.org.
Tickets also are available at the gate.
Kevin Miller directs the EMU Symphony Orchestra in a gala
concert celebrating 75 years of orchestra at EMU Sunday,
Oct. 8, 3 p.m., in Pease Auditorium. Highlights include
a world premiere of "Fiddleback Overture," by Whitney Prince;
guest conducting appearances by former EMUSO conductor
Russell Reed and alumna Kimcherie Lloyd ('85 and '87),
director of orchestras and opera at the University of Louisville;
and solo performances by harp professor Ruth Myers ('77)
and two-time concerto winner and flutist Carrie Wiesinger
(2000). The concert concludes with a performance by the
EMU Alumni Orchestra. Admission is free, but donations
will be accepted for music scholarships.
 |
GOING BATTY: Kevin Miller, dressed as
Dracula,
directs the EMU Symphony at last fall's
Halloween
concert. The audience favorite returns
this year
Oct 28, 7:30 p.m., in Pease Auditorium. |
Kevin Miller and the EMU Symphony Orchestra present an
entertaining evening of surprises and spooky music at their
annual Halloween Concert Saturday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.,
Pease Auditorium. The audience is invited to come in costume.
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students,
and $6 for children under 12.
Described as "a genius of the piano" and hailed by critics
around the world for her recordings, concerts and pedagogical
skills, Rebecca Penneys performs music for solo piano Sunday,
Nov. 5, 4 p.m., Pease Auditorium. Penneys is professor
of piano at Eastman School of Music.
Beloved Lutheran church musician, clinician, composer
and performer David Cherwien is the featured guest artist
for EMU's 10th Annual Improvisation Symposium
Friday, Nov. 10; and Saturday, Nov. 11. The symposium includes
a hymn festival Nov. 10, in which Cherwien leads area choirs
and organists, 7 p.m., at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
in Livonia. Cherwien also offers practical improvisation
ideas for creative and enticing leadership of congregational
song in a workshop Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the
Organ Recital Hall at EMU.
This year's Faculty Showcase is scheduled Sunday, Nov.
12, 4 p.m., in Pease Auditorium. It features performances
by Nelson Amos, guitar; and the Alexander Trio, comprised
of Daniel Foster, violin; Diane L. Winder, cello; and professor
emeritus Joseph Gurt, piano. Additional entries will be
posted on the Web site.
 |
HEAR THE HORNS: Willard
Zirk and friends
present
"History of the Horn" Nov. 7,
7:30 p.m.,
Pease Auditorium. |
Willard Zirk and friends present music written for the
horn in the 20th century in "History of the Horn, Part
V" Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., Pease Auditorium. The recital
features Benjamin Britten's "Serenade for Horn and Strings," Gordon
Jacob's "Concerto for Horn and Strings," and will conclude
with the world premiere of Whitney Prince's "Wind Music," for
horn, piano, bassoon and percussion. Performers include
Garik Pendersen, piano; Paul Herrema, tenor; John Dorsey,
percussion; and David Pierce, bassoon.
The dance program and EMU Symphony Orchestra, under the
direction of Sherry Jerome and Kevin Miller, present Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping
Beauty — The Rest of the Story." Two identical, one-hour
free programs, especially for youth in grades one through
eight, are scheduled Friday, Dec. 1, at 10 a.m. and 12:15
p.m., in Pease Auditorium. Reservations are required for
these shows. An evening performance also is scheduled for
the public at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for
students and seniors, and $6 for children under 12.
John Dorsey and the EMU Percussion Ensemble collaborate
with the EMU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Donald Babcock,
in this annual rhythmic extravaganza Monday, Dec. 4, 8
p.m., in Pease Auditorium.
All concerts are free unless otherwise noted. A full schedule
of events is available at the department of music and dance
Web site, www.emich.edu/musicdance. Information also can
be received via the events hotline, 487-2255.
