Music Abounds This Fall At Salisbury University
By Dr. William Folger, Chair
SU Department of Music
“If music be the food of love, play on” – Shakespeare
From classical and chamber music to original works and sounds of the holidays, music fills the air at Salisbury University this November and December.
The Nanticoke Indian Dance Group, led by Adrienne Harmon, and the New Jersey-based drumming circle Red Blanket Singers perform at 4 p.m. Saturday, November 8, in the Wicomico Room, with insights into the history and meanings of a variety of traditional dances. The presentation is part of SU’s Native American Heritage Month celebration.
The SU Percussion Ensemble, directed by Eric Shuster, follows the “beat” with more contemporary works during a performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 20, in Holloway Hall Auditorium.
Singer-songwriter Scott Jarrett lends his voice to SU’s fall program with a concert 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 19, in Holloway Hall Auditorium. His first album, Without Rhyme or Reason, included some of New York’s most highly regarded musicians — Dave Grusin, Marcus Miller, Chris Parker, Eddie Gomez, Ralph MacDonald, Toots Thielemans — as well as his brother, award-winning jazz pianist Keith Jarrett.
The Santa Fe, NM-based arts and entertainment magazine Pasatiempo has called Jarrett’s work “touching and musically diverse.” His appearance is sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Office.
The Department of Music’s annual Winter Music Festival is November 15-December 9. All performances are 7:30 p.m. in Holloway Hall Auditorium. The Salisbury Chorale and University Chorale, under my direction, inaugurate the series with a concert of holiday and sacred music in three parts: Peace (works by Gjeilo and Lauridsen), Parody (Gilbert and Sullivan) and Patriotic (armed forces medley and commemoration of the 200th anniversary of The Star-Spangled Banner). The performance is Saturday, November 15. Donations are accepted at the door.
The SU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jerry Tabor, offers a mix of standard and contemporary works Thursday, December 4. Guest violinist Igor Kalnin joins the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Jeffrey Schoyen, for its “Holiday Concert with a Gypsy Flair” Saturday, December 6.
A former member of Moscow’s Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, Kalnin has taught violin at Yale University, among other institutions, and performed with orchestras throughout the United States. He is concertmaster of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra in Illinois.
Admission is $20, $15 for seniors age 60 and older, and $5 for non-SU students. Advance tickets are available online at www.SalisburySymphonyOrchestra.org and at the Guerrieri University Center Information Desk.
The festival culminates with the Salisbury Pops, directed by Lee Knier, performing holiday favorites with a visit from Santa Claus 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 9.
SU’s students are in the spotlight again during the return of the University’s Renaissance Madrigal Feast 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, December 5-6, in the Commons. Featured entertainers include the SU Madrigal Choir, which I’ll be conducting; the Herald Brass, conducted by Knier; WSCL harpist Kara Dahl Russell; Sir Benjamin Sota of the Zany Umbrella Circus; and some 40 SU theatre and dance students portraying Lord and Lady Merrick and their court.
Sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Office and University Dining Services, admission is $40-$60, depending on seating. Advance tickets, available at the Guerrieri University Center Information Desk, are required.
SU’s 2014 fall musical program concludes with musicians from the future as students with the University’s PRSTO preparatory music program perform in recital at 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall.
The Salisbury Youth Orchestra (SYO), directed by Schoyen, follows with its annual Winter Concert 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 11, in Holloway Hall Auditorium. Admission to the SYO performance is $5, $3 for seniors, free for children 12 and under.
Admission to all other music events is free untless otherwise noted.
With so much to choose from, SU is offering something for nearly every musical taste this fall. We look forward to seeing you … while you hear us!
