• Rhode Island College /
• RIC News /
• RIC music – fall 2009 preview

RIC music – fall 2009 preview

RIC Wind Ensemble
A new season of eclectic and exciting RIC musical performances is just around the corner.
The RIC Wind Ensemble concert "A Young Person’s Guide to the Band" on Oct. 9 will feature wind band repertoire from the past 100 years. Guest conductor Edward S. Lisk will lead the Wind Ensemble in a concert of exemplary works written for young musicians by some of the greatest composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Earlier in the day, Lisk will join a panel of national experts in a town-hall style forum on the future of music education.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Junior and Senior Youth Wind Ensembles will collaborate with the RIC Wind Ensemble in a concert of works chosen from the standard repertoire for wind band on Nov. 24.

On Dec. 4, the Wind Ensemble will perform "Pillars," showcasing selections from the middle of the 20th century. The two central pillars of this concert are Vincent Persichetti’s "Symphony #6" for Band and Leonard Bernstein’s "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story." In addition, works from Samuel Barber, Norman Dello Joio and William Schuman will be performed.

The Wednesday Chamber Music Series will present an exciting lineup of talented artists in "Celebrity Series: Judith Lynn Stillman and Friends." On Sept. 16, Stillman, RIC’s artist-in-residence, will be joined by four-time Tony Award nominee Gregg Edelman and Broadway singer and actress Karen Mason for two performances of "Broadway Extravaganza!" – including a special extended version in the evening show.

Pianists Stephen Martorella and Stillman will collaborate in "Duo-Pianists" on Nov. 4. Martorella is the minister of music for the First Baptist Church in America and an adjunct instructor at Rhode Island College.

Stillman will be joined by two-time Grammy Award winner Richard Stoltzman on clarinet and Muir String Quartet member Michael Reynolds on cello on Dec. 9 for "Trios for Clarinet, Cello and Piano by Beethoven and Zemlinsky."

The RIC Symphony Orchestra will feature RIC Faculty member Stephen Martorella as piano soloist in Vincent D’Indy’s stunning but rarely performed "Symphony on a French Mountain Air," in its Oct. 12 concert. Also on the program will be the Rhode Island premiere of award-winning composer Aleksandra Vrebalov’s Orbits and Beethoven’s "Symphony No. 1 in C Major." Edward Markward, beginning his 37th year at RIC, conducts.

On Dec. 7, the Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of James Bohn’s "MF, Concerto for Electric Guitar and Orchestra." Guitarist Joshua Millard, who has performed with the Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble and the Dedalus New Music Ensemble, is the soloist. The Symphony Orchestra will also perform Roy Harris’s iconic "Third Symphony" and César Franck’s ultra-romantic "Symphony in D Minor."

The RIC High School Invitational Choral Concert, a varied and popular performance presented on Nov. 6, will showcase invited choirs from local high schools who will perform for each other and the community at large. The RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and student-run RIC ensembles will perform. The concert concludes with a massed choral piece in which all involved ensembles participate. The RIC Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association sponsors this concert annually.

On Dec. 11, the RIC Winter Choral Concert will feature the RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorus and Men’s Chorus in performances of works by important composers throughout western music history as well as holiday favorites, non-traditional and lesser known composers and pieces. Teresa Coffman conducts the RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and Women’s Chorus. The RIC Men’s Chorus is led by Tianxu Zhou.

The RIC Chamber Orchestra and RIC String Chamber Ensembles, conducted by John Sumerlin, perform together on Oct. 4 and Nov. 22.

On Oct. 14, the RIC Jazz Workshop Combos Performance, takes the stage under the direction of legendary saxophonist and RIC educator, Greg Abate.

The Faculty Recital, on Oct.15, will present a varied program of vocal and instrumental solo and chamber music performed by the Rhode Island College music faculty.

The Annual Halloween Collage Concert held on Oct. 30 offers performances from a variety of RIC ensembles. Performers appear in costume and the audience is also encouraged to dress in the spirit of Halloween.

The RIC Concert Jazz Band Winter Concert, directed by Joseph Foley, will be held on Dec. 14.

For general information on RIC music, RIC theatre and RIC dance events, call (401) 456-9883 or visit www.ric.edu/pfa .

See all the fall 2009 performing and fine arts events

---