ISSUED: 13 January 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The Shepherd University School of Music will continue to offer a series of free virtual performances throughout the spring semester beginning Friday, January 22, at 7:30 p.m. with the Shepherd Student Conductors Wind Symphony concert. The concert will feature an evening of wind band classics led by student conductors broadcast from the Frank Center Theater.
The Wind Symphony will present a variety of wind band literature as interpreted by a new generation of conductors. After completing two semesters of conducting, six students have carefully selected music, studied their scores, written program notes, developed rehearsal strategies, and rehearsed the ensemble in preparation for this concert.
Selections include “Tribal Quest” by Sean O’Loughlin, conducted by Paul Hann, Taneytown, Maryland; “Irish Tune from County Derry” by Percy Grainger, conducted by Megan Malone, North East, Maryland; “Entry March of the Boyars” by Johan Halvorsen, conducted by Patrick Anthony, Sharpsburg, Maryland; “Urban Dances” by Erik Morales, conducted by Hannah Flach, Perry Hill, Maryland; “Chaconne” from First Suite in F for Military Band by Gustav Holst, conducted by Ian Walton, Charles Town; and Foundry” by John Mackey, conducted by Griffin Haines, Boonsboro, Maryland.
All of the spring performances will premiere and will remain on the Shepherd University Music YouTube channel. Online audiences will be able to access them for free and watch at their convenience after the initial performance. While the concerts are free, viewers have the opportunity to donate to the School of Music via an online giving form.
Other performances include:
- Friday, February 5, at 7:30 p.m.—Shepherd Salon Series sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank with Candice Mowbray and Friends. Guitar professor Dr. Candice Mowbray teams up with guitarist Danny Webber, multi-instrumentalist Anita Thomas, and Shepherd faculty singer Dr. Rob Tudor and singer/pianist Dr. Bobb Robinson.
- Friday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m.—Shepherd Salon Series sponsored by Jefferson Security Bank with faculty Dr. Yu-Hsuan Liao on piano, with clarinetist David Drosinos and cellist Camilo Peréz-Mejía.
- Friday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.—Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Camerata, Chamber Singers, and Ramblers choir present a spring concert of varied repertory in which conductors and students share information about the music throughout the recorded concert.
- Friday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m.—Shepherd Ensembles Concert featuring the Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Camerata, Chamber Singers, and Ramblers choir in which conductors and students share information about the music throughout the recorded concert.
Classes and clinics
In addition to the performances, the School of Music will continue a series of virtual faculty master classes and clinics. The series is geared toward aspiring young musicians and prospective music majors, but registration is open to anyone interested in the subject matter. The master classes and clinics are free of charge; however, participants must register online in advance. A link to the event will be sent by email before the scheduled date and time. Spring master classes and clinics include:
- Friday, January 22, at 6 p.m.—Kathleen Bell, Singing Across Multiple Genres.
- Friday, January 29, at 3 p.m.—Dr. Steve Owen, Snare Drum Rudiments.
- Friday, February 12, at 3 p.m.—Dr. Steve Owen, Marimba.
- Friday, February 19, at 3 p.m.—Richard Polonchak, Bassoon Technique: Flicking Master Class.
For more information and updates on additional performances and classes, visit www.shepherd.edu/music.
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