Students and visiting artists to be featured in music performances Feb. 12-18

By University Communications

Posted Feb. 10, 2017 at 2:05 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—The Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University will present five concerts between Feb. 12 and 18.

The performances will take place on the university campus. Admission is free, and a live stream of the performances will be available at http://music.appstate.edu. Details of the events are as follows:

‘Concerto-Aria Concert,’ 2 p.m. Feb. 12, Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts

Under the direction of Dr. Mélisse Brunet, an assistant professor who directs Appalachian’s orchestral activities, the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra will team up with winners of the Concerto-Aria Competition. The competition’s finals took place Nov. 19, featuring eight competitors from an original field of 32.

Christopher Moore, a senior from Thomasville who is majoring in tuba performance, will solo in Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra.”

Senior Andrew Paluszak, a double major from Mount Holly who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music education and clarinet performance, will solo in Claude Debussy’s “Rhapsodie No. 1.”

Fidel Leal of Havana, Cuba, who is pursuing a master’s degree in piano performance, will solo in the first movement from Sergei Prokofiev’s “Third Piano Concerto in C Major.”

‘An Evening of Valentine Jazz with Todd Wright and Friends,’ 8 p.m. Feb. 14, Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall

This program will feature selections drawn from a list of tunes by such luminaries as George Gershwin, Antonio Jobim, Joe Zawinul and Richard Rodgers.

Todd Wright, a professor who directs jazz studies at Appalachian, will play saxophones. He will be joined by Andy Page on guitar, Zack Page on double bass an Rick Dilling on drums. Andy Page and Dilling are adjunct instructors at Appalachian. Zack Page, a freelancer, teaches at UNC Asheville.

The evening’s special guests will be pianist Keith McCutchen and trombonist Rick Simerly. McCutchen, who taught at Appalachian for several years, is now the director of choral activities at Kentucky State University. Simerly recently retired from Milligan College, where he was a jazz professor.

University of Tennessee Electroacoustic Ensemble, 6 p.m. Feb. 17, Broyhill Music Center’s Recital Hall

Under the direction of Dr. Jorge Variego, a lecturer and an adjunct assistant professor of music theory and composition at the University of Tennessee, the group will perform music in line with its mission.

Program notes say that the group provides a platform for students to develop and design instruments while using them in a multidisciplinary performance setting. The group combines visuals with electronic and acoustic instruments, searching for a path among the aesthetics of Evan Parker, FURT and Anthony Braxton.

Appalachian Wind Ensemble, 8 p.m. Feb. 17, Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts

This concert will be presented for the 2017 Northwest District Band Clinic. Dr. John Stanley Ross and Dr. Kevin Gray Richardson will share the conducting duties. Ross is the director of bands and an associate professor of music at Appalachian. Richardson is the associate director of bands and an assistant professor of music at Appalachian.

The program will feature the world premiere of Elaine Ross’ “Gold Dust,” a work for trombone and concert band. Dr. Drew C. Leslie, an associate professor of trombone, will be the soloist.

The program’s other works will include Percy Grainger’s “Lincolnshire Posy”; David Delle Cese and John R. Bourgeois’ “Inglisina”; Greg Danner’s “Slide Ride”; and Robert Jager’s “Third Suite.”

Appalachian Jazz Ensemble I, 8 p.m. Feb. 18, Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts

This program, which Wright will conduct, will feature several pieces by the acclaimed trombonist John Fedchock, including “Brazilian Fantasy”; “Hair of the Dog”; and “Like It Is.” Fedchock will also solo in Thad Jones’ “Us.”

The rest of the program will include Ray Noble’s “Cherokee”; Bob Mintzer’s “Elvin’s Mambo”; and Charlie Parker’s “Cool Blues.”

About the Hayes School of Music

The Hayes School of Music prepares young musicians for professional lives as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, conductors and music industry professionals, ensuring the next generation of musical leadership for the state, region and nation. Noted for quality instruction by national and internationally recognized faculty musicians, the school offers four undergraduate degree programs and three graduate-level programs.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.