Culture
Ohio University’s School Of Music Celebrates 100 Years In 2017
< < Back to ohio-universitys-school-of-music-celebrates-100-years-in-2017The Ohio University School of Music is excited to to celebrate its 100th anniversary with a yea’s worth of events sure to make 2017 an exciting and memorable year for faculty, students, alumni and friends. Highlights include guest artists performing on campus, a Carnegie Hall (New York, NY) concert in February, a weekend of alumni reunion events in April, the Marching 110 performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade next fall, and more.
“This is the beginning of our second 100 years and we’re thinking about how we build on our momentum and the proud legacy we have,” said Chris Hayes, director of the School of Music. “The work our faculty, students, and alumni are doing to make these events possible speaks to the quality and dedication of our music program.”
Two of the biggest events include the 100th anniversary concert at Carnegie Hall Feb. 27, and the Centennial Celebration in Athens, April 21-22. The full list of events, concerts, and happenings can be found on the School of Music’s 100th Anniversary site.
Feb. 27: OHIO University School of Music at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
The Wind Symphony, who recently released their second commercial recording, Color + Light, makes its Carnegie Hall debut in celebration of the Ohio University School of Music’s 100th Anniversary. Under the baton of director of bands Andrew Trachsel, the ensemble performs a diverse program that features the Canadian Brass, Broadway star Denée Benton of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, percussionist Roger Braun, and world premieres by composers Dave Malloy and Mark Phillips.
A conversation a little over a year ago about the 40-year anniversary of an historic 1976 concert, the Marching 110 was the first marching band to play Carnegie Hall, set the stage for an exciting concert event celebrating the School of Music’s 100th anniversary.
OHIO Director of Bands, Andy Trachsel, who is coordinating plans for this exciting concert, admits it has grown in some unexpected directions since its inception.
“I’m excited to showcase our Distinguished Professor, Mark Phillips and Presidential Teaching Awardee Roger Braun in this concert, alumni Dave Malloy’s new work, as well as my colleagues Richard Suk and Joshua Boyer, and our international guest artists. It’s really going to be momentous!”
Trachsel will conduct the world premiere of Distinguished Professor of Music Composition & Electronic Music, Mark Phillip’s newest piece “Breaking News,” which adds a layer of improv to the ensemble that’s quite unique.
“In “Breaking News,” there’s ample flexibility for both the conductor and the performers to shape the piece in real time, during the concert. There are sections that are less conventionally notated, and others that are more locked down, more strictly articulated, lending the piece a dense and shimmering sound that is quite attractive,” said Phillips.
Percussion Concerto by Joseph Schwantner, will feature a guest performance by Roger Braun, Presidential Teacher and professor of percussion.
“I have performed at major venues around the world but never at Carnegie Hall so I am very excited to have that opportunity,” said Braun.
“I considered many other pieces and the Schwantner was my top choice. The composer writes for marimba, xylophone, crotales, a large drum set up, and even the Cuban shekere, a beaded gourd instrument, in the piece. This allows me to show a wide range of my musicianship so that was very appealing. It really features my students too,” said Braun, “I’m also looking forward to playing alongside some of my percussion students.”
Special guests The Canadian Brass will also be joining the Wind Symphony at Carnegie Hall, following their February 7 concert at Memorial Auditorium in Athens.
“We’re honored to share the stage with the foremost brass quintet in the world, joining us to perform Bramwell Tovey’s appropriately-titled Manhattan Music,” said Trachsel.
Alumnus composer Dave Malloy (B.M. 1998) is currently creating a wind band version of the song “No One Else,” from this Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, which the OHIO Wind Symphony will premiere, joined onstage by guest voice Denée Benton, the musical actress who made her Broadway debut staring as “Natasha” in Malloy’s musical.
“Celebrating Malloy’s success, we’re excited to invite new listeners to our concert, and introduce new Bobcat audiences to his work as well,” said Trachsel.
Richard Suk, professor of music education and director of the Marching 110, will be conducting William Schuman’s Chester, a classic wind band work from the 1950s, and Joshua Boyer, assistant director of marching and athletic bands at OHIO, will be conducting Julie Giroux’s “One Life Beautiful,” during the event.
While these concert tickets are available for purchase on the Carnegie Hall website, interested guests are encouraged to join the School of Music before the concert for a special reception, reservations and concert tickets can be purchased via the Alumni Association here.
April 21-22: School of Music Centennial Celebration – 1917-2017
Alumni and friends far and wide, are invited to gather for a music-filled celebratory weekend in Athens leading to the Centennial Gala on College Green Saturday April 22, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
April 21: Faculty and Alumni Chamber Concert @ Glidden Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m.
April 22: Centennial Celebration @ Memorial Auditorium at 4 p.m.
April 22: Centennial Gala @ College Green at 5:30 p.m.
Friday April 21, the weekend kicks off with a Faculty and Alumni Chamber Concert at Glidden Recital Hall starting at 7:30 p.m. featuring School of Music faculty and invited alumni. A reception following the recital provides an opportunity to reconnect with friends, as well as former and current faculty. Alumni interested in participating should contact Lucas Borges via email at regoborg@ohio.edu. This is a free event, donations appreciated.
The morning of Saturday, April 22, out of town visitors can catch up with old friends over breakfast, or run in the “Race for a Reason,” (register online here) with proceeds going to the School of Music! After the run, join faculty, students, and alumni for lunch & an open house hosted by the School of Music, in Glidden Hall, at noon. Faculty members, including Dr. Richard Wetzel, Dr. Dorothy Bryant, Dr. Paul Mayhew, Dr. Matt Talbert, and Dr. Mark Phillips will be present for discussions.
Join fellow alumni at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22, for a Centennial Celebration concert at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, featuring virtually every ensemble in the School in a non-stop extravaganza. This is a free event, donations appreciated.
After the concert, everyone is invited to join the School of Music at the Centennial Gala on College Green beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Alumni will be welcomed by the Marching 110 and serenaded by School of Music student ensembles. Hors d’oeuvres, drinks and gifts for alumni and friends will be provided at the reception following the concert. Pre-registration is requested, and can be done online here.
Full 2017 Centennial Year Event List:
• February 7: Canadian Brass @ Memorial Auditorium
• February 23: Wind Symphony Carnegie Hall Kickoff Concert @ Memorial Auditorium
• February 27: OHIO University School of Music @ Carnegie Hall
• April 6: US Navy Band @ Memorial Auditorium
• April 21-22: School of Music Centennial Celebration – 1917-2017
• April 21: Faculty and Alumni Chamber Concert @ Glidden Recital Hall
• April 22: Centennial Celebration @ Memorial Auditorium
• April 22: Centennial Gala @ College Green
• November 23: Marching 110 @ 91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• December: Holiday Extravaganza