August 25, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Esperanza Alzona
Shepherd University Department of Music, 304-876-5711
The Friends of Music announces a stunning 2008-2009 Guest Artist Series, continuing its celebration of great music on the campus of Shepherd University, covering a vast musical spectrum, from baroque to brass to jazz, and points in between. Subscribers to the series will not only attend five spectacular concerts but will also receive four outstanding bonus concerts! Those subscribing by September 15, 2008 will be able to attend all nine concerts for the unbelievable price of $99, a substantial savings over the regular subscription and individual ticket prices.
The series opens on Saturday, September 27 with the Eastern Panhandle's very own professional chamber orchestra performing Beethoven's /Egmont/ Overture, Rodrigo's /Concierto de Aranjuez/, Brahms's /Hungarian Dances/ Nos. 5-7, Márquez's /Danzón /No. 2, and Mozart's /Symphony No. 40/ in G Minor. This concert, sponsored by Leavy and Frank and the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra Founders, will highlight the incomparable guitarist William Feasley in the poignant and haunting Concierto de Aranjuez of Joaquín Rodrigo.
On Friday, November 7, the world-renowned pianist and conductor, and recent Kennedy Center Honoree, Leon Fleisher comes to the Frank Arts Center! Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman describes Fleisher as "a consummate musician whose career is a moving testament to the life-affirming power of art." The performance by this legendary artist is sponsored by Kinexum.
Audiences will fall in love with music on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2009 with a Faculty Showcase Concert featuring stellar performances by Shepherd University faculty artists—soprano Elisabeth Turchi, Greg Shook (oboe), David Drosinos (clarinet), Richard Polonchak (bassoon), Danny Carter (French horn), Michelle Humphreys (percussion) and Dr. Scott Beard (piano) playing music of Poulenc, Beach, Schubert, Mozart and more. This concert is sponsored by the Bank of Charles Town.
The Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra continues its season on Saturday, March 7, 2009, with stunning selections including Strauss's Die Fledermaus, Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major, featuring Anne Munro on flute and Caroline Gregg on harp, Mark O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz, Mendelssohn's Symphony #3 in A Minor, "Scottish." This performance of the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra is sponsored by BB&T, Branch Banking and Trust.
The Guest Artist Series will close on Thursday, April 9, 2009 with PROJECT, a dynamic young group that is exciting audiences with their energy and innovative style. Their sound can only be described as a fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and world music - balanced out by a sincere allegiance to their classical roots. By combining the classical repertoire with original compositions, the flute, cello and bass trio reaches out to new audiences. Sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank, PROJECT is a musical experience not to be missed!
In addition to these five concerts, Guest Artist Series subscribers will receive four bonus concerts—the U.S. Air Force Band Saxophone Quartet, the Annual Holiday Gala and Reception, the Eastern Regional Jazz Festival Concert and the Montclaire String Quartet.
U.S. Air Force Band Saxophone Quartet comes to Shepherd University on Thursday, September 11. Program highlights include Samuel Barber's /Excursions/ and Perry Goldstein's virtuosic /Fault Lines/, among other works. The members of the group include Senior Master Sgt. Bill Marr, Master Sgt. Jeremy Koch, Master Sgt. Mary Beth George and Master Sgt. Jake McCray. The quartet's performances demonstrate the excellence of military music and leave a lasting impression with students, educators and industry professionals. Their appearance at Shepherd University is sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and the Shepherd University Department of Music.
At the Holiday Gala Concert on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., audiences will enjoy classic sounds of the season featuring the Shepherd University Wind Symphony, Chamber Singers, Women's Camerata, Masterworks Chorale and others, followed by a reception at the Cress Creek Country Club, sponsor of this annual event.
The Eastern Regional Jazz Festival Concert on Saturday, February 28, 2009 will feature the Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble in an entertaining evening of incredible music, sponsored by the Friends of Music. The Jazz Ensemble has performed throughout the East Coast and Europe and is in great demand as a feature band in Jazz Festivals around the globe.
The award-winning Montclaire String Quartet on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 is committed to performing contemporary and new music for their audiences. In addition to its own concert series in Charleston and recitals throughout the region, the group is celebrating its 15th season in residence with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra where each Quartet member serves as a principal. Their performance in Shepherdstown is sponsored by Jack Saum.
All performances of the Friends of Music Guest Artist Series will be held at 8:00 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater on the campus of Shepherd University. Subscriptions and individual concert tickets are available now and can be purchased through the Friends of Music website www.sufom.org