Spring Signature Events Preview

December 8, 2016

Here’s a sneak peek of the School of Music and Dance Signature Events for Spring 2017! University Dance Company Dance Studio Theatre, SDSU March 17 - 19, 2017 Tickets: $20 general; $15 seniors and active military; $10 students SDSU’s University Dance Company perform faculty works directed by Joseph Alter, Jess Humphrey, and guest artists from Tijuana’s Lux Boreal Dance Company. Three distinct dances explore concepts and principles from physics, body memory, and a few versions of the song (and the story behind) Hey Jude by The Beatles. Lux Boreal has become part of the contemporary art movement in north Mexico, and the Dance department at SDSU mirrors that impact in Southern California. This collaboration of contemporary dancers is sure to be a unique and intriguing movement experience. Jazz Ensemble with Special Guest Jeff Hamilton April 27, 2017 Smith Recital Hall, SDSU Tickets: $20 general; $15 seniors and active military; $10 students “Every semester, for over 30 years, the Jazz Studies program has brought in a world class jazz guest artist for a clinic and concert. Some of the past guests include George Shearing, Bill Watrous, Mundell Lowe, Herbie Mann, Pete Christlieb, Barney Kessel, Kenny Burrell, Kim Richmond, Charles McPherson, and many more,” says Director of Jazz Studies Bill Yeager. Drummer Jeff Hamilton, special guest for the upcoming Jazz Ensemble concert, is hailed for his versatility and extensive recording resume. Hamilton has recorded with nearly 200 artists including Ray Brown, Diana Krall, Rosemary Clooney, and Barbara Streisand. This semester highlight gives students the opportunity to work with some of today’s finest musicians. The Jazz Ensemble concert is the perfect introduction to the Big Band genre and a fun, upbeat, and entertaining delight for all music lovers. Dvořák Mass Choirs and Orchestra at College Avenue Baptist Church April 22, 2017 Tickets: $20 general; $15 seniors and active military; $10 students Dvorák's only surviving mass, his Mass in D, showcases a colorful score filled with beautiful moments that demonstrate the Czech composer's sense of melody and knack for creating dramatic, thrilling chords concurrent with subtle harmony and orchestration. Unlike his other large-scale choral works, Dvorák's original Mass in D was intended for a more intimate performance space (a religious service), as opposed to a concert performance setting. It wasn’t until later that Dvorák re-orchestrated the mass for a larger ensemble, yet its prayerful and lyrical tone still remain. This concert also showcases a collaboration of multiple ensembles within the School of Music and Dance, resulting in a lively and moving super-performance. Concerto Competition Winner Performance Orchestra and Wind Symphony Don Powell Theatre, SDSU May 2, 2017 Tickets: $20 general; $15 seniors and active military; $10 students This inspiring May concert features the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra in their final concert of the year. "The concert is a farewell to our seniors who are graduating, as well as the featured concert for our own SDSU Concerto Competition Solo winners,” shares Director of Bands Shannon Kitelinger. Each Spring, the School of Music and Dance hosts a Concerto Competition for both vocalists and instrumentalists. Participants work tirelessly to perform a Concerto (solo piece for a particular instrument/voice) with piano accompaniment for a panel of judges. Winners of the competition perform their solo piece with the Wind Symphony or Symphony Orchestra as accompaniment. Some musicians may never have the opportunity to perform a solo of this magnitude with live musical accompaniment, making this a prestigious award to obtain. Witness rising talent in action and bid graduating seniors adieu at this final Signature Event performance for Spring 2017.

The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.

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