June 3, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sue Kennedy, Tuxedo Junction Committee 304-876-1092
Esperanza Alzona, Shepherd University Music Department 304-876-7611
Shepherdstown, WV — Playing to a capacity audience, on Friday, May 30, the Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble headlined the glittering Friends of Music gala, Tuxedo Junction. The Bavarian Inn was the site where more than one-hundred-and-sixty friends of Friends came to relive the fun-packed Big Band era and benefit the Sheperdstown University Department of Music. The evening, which included a silent auction of donations by area sponsors, businesses, artists and individuals, netted well over the goal of $20,000 to support the talent of Shepherd University musicians by providing scholarships, instruments, and underwriting ambassadorial concert travel, as well as continuing to provide the region with performances by world-class guest artists.
Thanking the crowd Dr. Mark McCoy, chairman of the Shepherd University Music Department, said, "There is no reason that a school our size in our state should have an international reputation. Yet it does, and it does so only because of you, our many friends, and the quality of the musician that we attract from around the globe. The Shepherd University Music Department is proud to serve as musical ambassadors from our community to the world. Thank you for making that possible. Your generosity in so many instances, have made the impossible possible. We are in your debt."
The Shepherd University Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir have been invited by the Mayor of Munich and the Burgermeister of Salzburg to perform a 10-day concert tour throughout Germany an Austria in May of 2009. The trip will also include a visit to Prague in the Czech Republic. The ensembles will be on tour May 17-26th, 2009. Members of The Friends of Music and the community at large are invited to join the SU Music Department in this life-changing experience.
Sue Pellish and Alice Barkus, both of Shepherdstown, served as Tuxedo Junction co-chairs, with committee members Esperanza Alzona, Dan Anderson, Betty Lou Bryant, Lou Cox, Cindy Cook, Maggie Drennen, Sylvia Ellsworth, Sue Kennedy, Betty Severson, Randy Rumpf, Stacy Rumpf, Ann Wayt and Dr. Rob Northrup, chairman of the Friends of Music Board of Directors. Tuxedo Junction was the first Friends of Music event of its kind.
Major sponsors included Centra Bank, Country Vintner of West Virginia, Harry Townsley, Marianne and Duane Alexander, Bank of Charles Town, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Brookreson, Center for Orthopedic Excellence, Charles Town Races and Slots, GWWO, Inc./Architects, Hoxton Financial, Jefferson Security Bank, Dr. and Mrs. Ray Vanderhook.
Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble musicians performing were Katie Beach, Neena Roderick, Brian Cambrel, Marie Crenwelge, and Thad Garrett on saxophone and clarinet; David Hersh Sam Maconachy, Nick Corasaniti, Evan Hensley, and Bassell Franks on trumpet and flugelhorn; Jessica Manor, Brad Jenkins, Adam Campbell, John Karos, Dan McGill on trombone, Andrew Nicolette on guitar, Jason Solounias on piano, Bryan Dawley and Fernando Bolanos on bass, and Richard Hopkins on drums. Vocalists included Lawren Hill, Liz Corsa, Joanna Moomaw, Thad Garrett, Taryn Wood, David Miranda, Rob Northrup, Jaely Chamberlin, Dr. Erik Reid Jones and Dr. David Gonzol.
The Friends of Music is a non-profit organization that supports musical excellence at Shepherd University bringing world-class music and a thriving music program to the community. For more information visit www.sufom.org.