Fall 2013
Department of Music faculty, students & alumni
making a difference
pre · view
see calendar for details and ticket information
Notes
UNCW Faculty/Alumni Showcase: An Evening of Jazz with Strings
volume I, no. 1 Fall 2013
Saturday, Sept. 27
on the cover
Jazz with Strings is inspired by renowned jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker’s Strings
Kari Avolis ‘12 (B.M., music education) and Grant Emerson ‘08 (B.A., music) are two alumni making a difference. Catch up with them on page 11.
7:30 pm
Beckwith Recital Hall
recordings and concert performances with strings from 1949-1952, which featured Parker with some of the finest string musicians in New York performing favorite standards of the day, such as “Summertime,” “What Is This Thing Called Love?” and “Laura.” UNCW’s Jazz with Strings program includes many of these compositions as played by Parker, along with other jazz standards and original compositions.
message from the chair
UNCW saxophone professor and music department chair Frank Bongiorno,
The Department of Mu-
and other jazz faculty and alumni, will be featured as soloists throughout the eve-
sic at UNCW is fortunate
ning alongside an ensemble of music faculty, alumni and other noted Wilmington
in its location, its weath-
area musicians. Jazz with Strings is part of the UNCW Family and Alumni Weekend.
er, the quality of its stu-
A dessert reception follows in Cultural Arts lobby, sponsored by UNCW Alumni Re-
dents, faculty, staff, and
lations. All proceeds from the concert benefit UNCW scholarships in music.
certainly, the accomplishments of our alumni. In each issue of our news-
Ocean Calling: a world premiere by Meira Warshauer Thursday, Oct. 24
7:30 pm
Beckwith Recital Hall
letter, we will highlight
Acclaimed composer and Wilmington native Meira Warshauer premieres her re-
how our faculty make a difference in their pro-
cently completed composition Ocean Calling, a three-movement work for two pia-
fession as musicians and teachers, as well as
nos inspired by Warshauer’s deep connection to the ocean and her commitment
how our students make a difference as colle-
to its preservation. Performed by UNCW Director of Cultural Arts and resident pia-
gians, and after graduation, as professionals in
nist Norman Bemelmans and Department of Music faculty member Elizabeth
the field of music, whether in a classroom, or
Loparits, the work utilizes the full range of the piano’s sonic capabilities to evoke
on a larger stage.
the ocean’s varied sounds and moods, including such non-traditional techniques as
I hope you enjoy reading our newsletter, and
plucking, stroking and “bowing” (with glass and horse hair) the strings inside the
perhaps, have an opportunity to attend and en-
instrument. The event also features a display by the Department of Marine Biology
joy our many musical presentations on campus
in the Cultural Arts lobby. Proceeds from this performance will support a new piano
in the future.
scholarship at UNCW in the memory of Mary Eunice Troy.
Frank Bongiorno chair, department of music
Celebrating a Life in Song: Patricia Ainspac, Nancy King, Emery Stephens Sunday, Oct. 27
4:00 pm
Beckwith Recital Hall
Join Patricia Ainspac (piano), Nancy King (soprano) and guest artist Emery Stephens (baritone) to celebrate Patricia Ainspac’s contribution to voice students at UNCW and to the southeastern North Carolina arts community. The recital features Robert Schumann’s Frauenliebe und Leben and Dichterliebe and marks the retirement of Ainspac, UNCW vocal coach (see page 11).
Hindemith 50th anniversary celebration Saturday, Nov. 16
7:30 pm
Beckwith Recital Hall
UNCW faculty members Daniel Johnson (tuba), Barry David Salwen (piano), Christopher Johns (cello) and special guests celebrate Hindemith’s 50th anniversary and perform selections by the innovative German composer and more.
UNCW Choirs with Chamber Ensemble Sunday, Nov. 17
7:30 pm
Conducted by Joe Hickman (director of choral activities), UNCW Choirs and chamber ensemble perform the Beethoven Mass in C Major, Op. 86, which students will also perform during the spring semester choral workshop in St. Pölten, Austria.
UNCW 4th Annual Honor Band Festival
New Music Festival
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 5-7, 2013 Mainstage Theatre
Sunday-Tuesday, Feb. 2-4
Directed by John LaCognata (director of bands, trumpet), this
Film, recitals, workshops and master classes.
year’s festival for high school band students features guest con-
co-sponsored by the departments of music, anthropology, film studies,
ductor Matthew Edwards, director of bands at Fuquay-Varina High
the women’s studies and resource center, asian studies, and the office
School. The festival includes three days of rehearsals, master class-
of cultural arts.
Symphony and Chamber Winds, with solo performances by mem-
New Music Festival: Returning Souls Sunday, Feb. 2 7:30 pm King Hall Auditorium
bers of the faculty. Saturday’s concert is by the two high school
A screening of the film Returning Souls by award-winning anthro-
bands (Teal Band and Blue Band). This year, the festival will be held
pologist and filmmaker Hu Tai-Li, original film score written by New
in the Cultural Arts Building’s Mainstage. Seating will be limited, so
Music Festival guest Shih-Hui Chen; includes a performance by De-
come early! Members of UNCW Wind Symphony assist with sec-
partment of Music violin instructor Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi, of
tionals and rehearsals and provide logistical assistance for all as-
the solo violin piece, Returning Souls: Four Short Pieces on Three
pects of the festival. Members of the wind, percussion and brass
Formosan Amis Legends, adapted from the original film score.
faculty give master classes, hear auditions, and perform.
New Music Festival: Duo Sureño and the Ryoanji Duo: works by David Kechley
Ahmal and the Night Visitors
Monday, Feb. 3
es, campus tours and concerts. Friday’s concert is by UNCW Wind
7:30 pm
Beckwith Recital Hall
Saturday, Dec. 7
8:00 pm
Kenan Auditorium
The evening features Waking Sparrows: Five Haiku Songs,
Sunday, Dec. 8
2:00 pm
Kenan Auditorium
commissioned and performed by Duo Sureño (NANCY KING,
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, UNCW Opera Outreach Project
soprano and ROBERT NATHANSON, guitar), Points of Departure:
and UNCW Chamber Choir present a fully staged holiday concert
Five Pieces for Guitar and Saxophone, commissioned and
performance of Gian Carlo Menotti’s holiday classic – a warm and
performed by the Ryoanji Duo (FRANK BONGIORNO, saxophone,
compassionate story that is one of the most popular of American
and Robert Nathanson, guitar) and Voices from the Garden,
operas, it was also the first opera written expressly for television.
commissioned by the North Carolina Guitar Quartet, (Ed Stephenson,
A truly collaborative effort, the opera includes faculty members
Justin Hoke, Chris Wear and Robert Nathanson). David Kechley,
Steven Errante, conductor; Nancy King, UNCW Opera
formerly of UNCW, is professor of music at Williams College in
Outreach Project director; Joe Hickman, UNCW Chamber Choir
Williamstown, Mass.
director; featuring guest artist Sara Westermark as the Mother and introducing Carson Holmes and Sanya Shah as Amahl.
New Music Festival: Works by Shih-Hui Chen and Meira Warshauer Tuesday, Feb. 4
UNCW Flute ensembles festival
7:30 pm
Beckwith Recital Hall
Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 23-25
The world premiere of an untitled piece written by Shih-Hui Chen
Saturday, Jan. 25
for flute and guitar, performed and commissioned by UNCW De-
4:00 pm
Beckwith Recital Hall
Directed by Mary Jo White (flute), this annual event is open to
partment of Music faculty Mary Jo White (flute) and Robert
high school flutists, providing an opportunity for high school musi-
Nathanson (guitar) and a performance of Ocean Calling (for two
cians to hone their skills with UNCW flute students and faculty in
pianos) written by Meira Warshauer, another guest of the New Mu-
rehearsals, workshops, and a concluding concert.
sic Festival and performed by Norman Bemelmans and Elizabeth Loparits.
UNCW Piano Day Saturday, Feb. 8
time TBA
Cultural Arts Building
32nd Annual Guest Artist Jazz Festival
Directed by Barry Salwen (piano), this annual event is open
Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29
to piano teachers and students aged 12-17, and includes master
Concerts begin at 7:30 pm
classes, workshops and more.
Directed by Jerald Shynett, JazzFest will feature special
Beckwith Recital Hall
guests Greg Gisbert (trumpet) and Barry Greene (guitar) with per-
Stay tuned for more events: UNCW Piano Day, master classes, and more) www.uncw.edu/happenings · uncwmus@uncw.edu photos, opposite page, clockwise:
Joe Hickman, Jennifer Giordano and Ashley Beavis; Kennith Watts; Chancellor Gary Miller with holiday carolers
formances by UNCW jazz faculty and student ensembles. In the past, JazzFest has reached out to high school jazz bands. The 2014 festival will follow the model of Honor Band Festival and invite individual high school jazz musicians from across North Carolina to perform in the UNCW Jazz Festival Honor Band.
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a glance back
Faculty Showcases were among the highlights of the Spring 2013 semester, including the UNCW Jazz Faculty on Jan. 31 with Jason Foureman (bass), Michael D’Angelo (drums), Bob Russell (guitar), Jerald Shynett (trombone), Mike Waddell (tenor saxophone, clarinet), Andy Whittington (piano). The Atlantean Trio – comprised of Barry David Salwen (piano), Abigail Van Steenhuyse (violin), Richard Thomas (cello) – performed on March 23. Dr. Joe Hickman led UNCW Chamber Choir with the 17-member North Carolina Baroque Orchestra performing on period instruments in Bach’s St. John Passion March 17, which also featured tenor Matthew Talley ‘12 (B.M., performance). Hickman adds: “This was a very important event for us and I am excited to have had the opportunity to work with the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. The period instruments add a dimension of transparency to the sound texture, allowing the music to ‘speak the words’ in a way that is more difficult with modern instruments.” A collaboration between the Department of Music and the Cameron Art Museum created a unique opportunity for audiences in southeastern North Carolina to broaden their musical experiences. Established by Robert Nathanson (classical guitar) and Daphne Holmes (curator of public programs, Cameron Art Museum), Pro Musica is a series of concerts focused on newly composed music. New music incorporates different styles of music, including what is considered avant-garde, but is much more accessible harmonically and rhythmically than the majority of music from 1920–90. Along with classical styles, it can include elements of rock, jazz and ethnic music, atonality, impressionism, romanticism, surrealism, experimentation, computer generated sounds and minimalism. Nathanson views Pro Musica as fulfilling an obligation to encourage living composers. “If I were doing this in 1812 instead of 2012,” he says, “I would be commissioning and playing the music of Beethoven.” Pro Musica, held at the Cameron Art Museum, provides an opportunity for the department to engage with the community outside of campus, and in a wonderfully appropriate setting. The December recital featured Steven Errante’s (theory coordinator, Wilmington Symphony Orchestra conductor) Sonata for Violin and Piano, with Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi (violin) and husband Paolo André Gualdi (piano); Nathanson also performed on the recital. The March recital featured compositions by David Kechley for saxophone, voice, and classical guitar, with (respectively) Frank Bongiorno, Nancy King, and Nathanson. In February, Barry Salwen, Barbara Furr, Elizabeth Loparits, Andy Whittington hosted more than 25 piano students and teachers at the annual UNCW Piano Day. Activities included faculty performances, master class, and classes on piano literature and jazz. Directed by Jerald Shynett (trombone), the 31st Annual UNCW Guest Artist Jazz Festival featured three nights of concerts and a day of clinics for high school jazz ensembles. Held in March, guest artists were Jack Wilkins (director of jazz studies at the University of South Florida School of Music) and Grammy nominee Seamus Blake (saxophone). The festival kicked off with a performance by Wilkins and the jazz faculty, followed by Friday’s concert by Wilkins and UNCW jazz ensembles. The Seamus Blake Quintet closed the festival on Saturday night.
a glance back
Directed by Daniel Johnson (tuba), TubaZalea invites southeast-
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ern North Carolina tuba and euphonium players to celebrate low
Outreach and community engagement
brass instruments with UNCW students and faculty. This year’s
As part of its mission, the Department of Music actively engages
guest artist was Lauren Veronie, euphoniumist with the United
with the community, hosting clinics, competitions, and events for
States Army Field Band, the United States Army’s premier touring
public schools, students and music associations. Below are some of
ensemble. Joining Veronie were faculty members Johnson (tuba),
the outreach activities in addition to what is mentioned elsewhere.
Barry david Salwen (piano) and Elizabeth Loparits (piano).
North Carolina Music Educators Association East Region
Directed by Nancy King (voice), UNCW Opera Outreach Project
North Carolina Music Teachers Association:
provides vocal and dramatic operatic training to UNCW and high
school students, community members and young singers in cul-
Federation of Music Clubs Junior Piano Festival
turally under-served areas, and is committed to fostering the link
Tuba Christmas concerts
between campus and community, and to awakening interest in op-
Fred Hersch Trio jazz master class
era locally. In April, UNC-WOOP! presented Scenes from Operas
High school band clinics:
(including Les Contes d’Hoffman, Orfeo ed Euridice, Iolanthe and The Merry Wives of Windsor). The collaborative production featured performances by faculty, voice students, and guest artists, and involved the talents of many UNCW faculty and staff, including Patricia Ainspac (musical director and accompanist), Bettsy Curtis (vocal coach and accompanist), Mark Sorenson (costume design, Department of Theatre) and Tara Noland (lighting design, Office of Cultural Arts), as well as Murray Middle School arts stu-
jazz clinics and concert Wilmington District Piano Contest and Festival
James Kenan, E. E. Smith, Washington-Lee high schools
Wake County Collegiate Choral Symposium photos, from top, opposite page
UNCW Choirs, conducted by Joe Hickman Atlantean Trio Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi JazzFest guest artists Seamus Blake and Jack Wilkins UNCW Opera Outreach performance: Heather Bobeck
dents and chorus teacher Ryan Southerland ‘08 (B.M., music education), Wilmington native Ronald Holmes (baritone) and Topsail High School sophomore Devann Boyd (soprano). Members of the production also performed and worked with students and teachers at Ogden Elementary School’s Arts Day. The UNCW Summer Jazz Workshop has established itself as North Carolina’s premier jazz summer workshop for high school student musicians. Directed by Frank Bongiorno, the summer jazz workshop provides students an opportunity not only to mingle with and learn from gifted educators and professional performers on the UNCW faculty, but also to enjoy an intensive week-long event of music making and jazz study in an intimate and supportive environment. The workshop covers virtually every aspect of jazz study and provides ample opportunities to work one-on-one with jazz faculty and guest artists. The 17th annual workshop, held in July, was attended by 66 middle and high school students, and included a concert by the jazz faculty, two student concerts, master classes, rehearsals, classes in jazz history, music theory, improvisation, and an awards dinner. Workshop faculty included Michael D’Angelo, Jason Foureman, John LaCognata, Bob Russell, Jerald Shynett, Mike Waddell, Andy Whittington, Kari Avolis ‘12 (B.M. music education). Staff included Kennith Watts ‘13 (B.A. music), Mark Whitfield ‘11 (B.M. music education), Savannah Croxton (B.M. music education), Zoë Harris (B.M. music education), Nick Schaivone (B.M. music education). Joining the staff was Jerry Lowe (band director, North Lincoln Middle School).
photos, from top, this page
Tuba Christmas in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Honor Band Festival students participate in rehearsal
faculty news
faculty news
committing to the journey of learning through shared musical experiences among faculty and students
Frank Bongiorno’s DVD Master Class, Basic Reed Mainte-
missioned to score the accompaniment for full symphony orches-
nance for the Saxophonist, published in the July/August 2012 issue
tra, which premiered in November. His Sonata for Violin and Piano
of the Saxophone Journal, presents basic approaches to remedy
was performed at the inaugural recital of the Pro Musica series (De-
some common reed problems and achieve a better consistency in
cember 2012, Wilmington).
reed performance for saxophone.
In September 2012, the UNCW Chamber Choir, directed by
The Ryoanji Duo (Frank Bongiorno and Robert Nathanson)
Joe Hickman (choir) presented at the Wake County Choral
were selected to perform the premiere of David Kechley’s Points
Symposium, which featured five collegiate choirs from around
of Departure, a five-movement piece for saxophone (alto and
the state and was attended by members of select choirs from the
soprano) and guitar, at the 16th World Saxophone Congress (July
county’s public high school programs. Chamber Choir members
2012, St. Andrews, Scotland). The duo also recorded Kechley’s
participated in the Annual Blessing of the Animals on St. Francis
Sea of Stones, a concerto for saxophone and guitar with orchestra,
Day at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (October 2012, New
with the Filharmonia Sudecka (May 2012, Walbrzych, Poland). The
York City), joining a choir of more than 250 collegiate and cathedral
recording is scheduled for release this year.
singers in a performance with the Paul Winter Consort. Projects
Marina De Ratmiroff (soprano) was named vice-president of the Wilmington Concert Association, continuing as chair of the Outreach Committee. She performed as the guest artist for the Carolina Philharmonic’s Opera Gala with American violinist and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (November, Raleigh), in which CVNC, an online journal for the arts, noted that she “added an iridescent thread to the texture, especially her gorgeous vocalise.” De Ratmiroff was awarded the chancellor’s Discere Aude Award for Out-
later in the fall featured collaboration with Wilmington Symphony Orchestra members at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church for Bach’s Cantata 4; choirs performed excerpts of Handel’s Messiah and John Rutter carol arrangements with WSO (December 2012, Kenan Auditorium). In February, members of Chamber Choir joined Hickman and Nancy King (voice) in the choir’s fourth appearance at Laudate Dominum, a professional in-service conference for choral musicians and church musicians in St. Pölten, Austria.
standing Professor and was nominated for the UNCW Fraternity
Chris Johns (cello) presented two recitals with pianist Domo-
and Sorority Faculty Member Life Award. She performed on several
nique Launey, featuring works by Schumann, Beethoven, Proko-
concerts in the spring and summer, and, for the seventh year, was
fiev and Kreisler (January 2013, Kenan Chapel, Wilmington). He per-
on the panel of judges for UNCW Dub Idol.
formed in February at First Presbyterian Church and in the spring
Compositions by Steven Errante (music theory, Wilmington Symphony Orchestra conductor) were performed, including Sing to
with the Tallis Chamber Orchestra for Boccherini’s Cello Concerto in B-flat Major.
the Lord a New Song by the Metropolitan Symphony Band and the
Daniel Johnson (tuba) gave collaborative presentations at the
Vanguard Voices (Dearborn, Mich.) under the direction of Kypros
30th World Conference of the International Society for Music Edu-
Markou. The work was originally commissioned in 2002 as part of
cation in Thessaloniki, Greece: “International Comparative Study of
the “Vanguard Premieres” project; last summer, Errante was com-
Music Teachers’ Understanding and Practice of Assessment – An
Exploratory Study” with M. Fautley; “Global Perspectives on Ac-
nual OctubaFest, featuring the world premier of Valve Oil by Keith
tive Music Making through Orff-Schulwerk” in collaboration with
Robinson, Wilmington’s ninth annual Tuba Christmas, and Myrtle
J. Bond, S. Davies-Splitter and J. Kotulkova; “How Motivation In-
Beach’s fifth annual Tuba Christmas.
fluences General Music Educators’ Classroom Decisions” with W. Matthews; and “Music Education and the Creative Economy” with P. Gouzouasis and J. S. Goble. Johnson presented a research poster on “Integrating Music and Literacy Instruction for Secondary Students” with Deborah Powell of the UNCW Watson College of Education. Working with teachers from Pender and New Hanover county, results indicate that students responded positively to integrated subject lessons. He plans to write and field-test more detailed lessons as an action-research project. At the NCMEA In-Service Conference (November 2012, WinstonSalem), Johnson collaborated with John LaCognata (trumpet), and Dan Cherry and Travis Bennett from Western Carolina University on “Brass Tune-Up Sessions,” which included demonstration performances for brass quartet. Johnson’s other pedagogy presentations included: “Music and Content Integration: Professional Development Session” at the Watson College of Education; “Music Theory and Fundamentals Presentations: Active Listening” at Johnston Community College, Smithfield, N.C.; “Playing with Pa’s Fiddle: An Interdisciplinary Project,” with S. Haefeli at the sixth annual Leadership Institute, Integrated Arts Conference (Greeley, Colo.). Kendall/Hunt published the updated textbook edition of Musical Explorations: Fundamentals Through Experience, 5th ed. Johnson attended the International Summer Course on Elemental Music and Dance Pedagogy at the Carl-Orff Institut (Salzburg, Austria), and the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming (Valle Crucis, N.C.). Performances included Edward Gregson’s Concerto for Tuba with the UNCW Wind Symphony and several orchestra performances with the Long Bay Symphony as principal tuba. Festivals and performances he directed included: Wilmington’s eighth an-
John LaCognata (trumpet) published “Current Student Assessment Practices of High School Band Directors in the United States, Music Assessment across Cultures and Continents” in The Culture of Shared Practice, Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education. With Daniel Johnson, he presented “High Brass Tune-Up” at the NCMEA In-Service Conference, (November, Winston-Salem). With Daniel Johnson, and Cherry and Bennett from Western Carolina University, LaCognata copresented a session on “Brass Pedagogy” for the 2012 NCMEA Bandmaster’s Association (November, Winston-Salem). LaCognata was adjudicator at: the 15th Annual Florida Marching Band Championships finals (November, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.); the 2012 South Carolina Band Directors Association 2A/4A Lower State Marching Band Championships, West Ashley High School (October, Charleston, S.C.) the Rumble in the Jungle XVI Band Festival at South View High School (October, Hope Mills, N.C.); the 20th annual Clinton High School Band Day, Clinton High School (October, Clinton, N.C.); the fifth annual Panther Creek Invitational Marching Festival, Panther Creek High School (September, Cary, N.C.). Under LaCognata’s direction, the Department of Music presented its first “live-stream” broadcast in December, featuring UNCW Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds in concert. Also in December, the UNCW Faculty Brass Quintet performed a recruitment tour at Whiteville and South View High Schools; the quintet also performed at UNCW’s December and May commencements. LaCognata directed the third annual UNCW Honor Band Festival, with 164 students from 40 high schools; more than 270 student nominations had been received. Patricia Hughes, Cedar Ridge High
‘ d e p artm e nt o f music fa l l 2 0 1 3 UNCW Cello Festival Open to cellists of all ages and abilities. $25 registration. Contact Chris Johns, johnsc@uncw.edu
Guest artist recital: Elliot Cheney, cello Friday, Sept. 13
7:30 pm BRH
UNCW Cello Festival concluding concert Saturday, Sept. 14
Ray Chen, violin
Thursday, Sept. 19
7:30 pm BRH 8:00 pm BRH
sponsored by the office of cultural arts
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
featured Faculty / Alumni Showcase Friday, Sept. 27
7:30 pm BRH
part of the UNCW Family & Alumni Weekend $20 general public $15 UNCW faculty/staff $15 alumni & parents of UNCW students
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
advance tickets available
UNCW Faculty/Alumni showcase
Dessert reception follows in Cultural Arts lobby, sponsored by UNCW Alumni Relations.
$5 students with valid UNCW ID
Ocean Calling
Chamber Music Wilmington
A world premiere by Meira Warshauer
$20 - 25 general public
UNCW Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds Army Ground Forces Band
Students Free with UNCW ID
7:30 pm KA
part of the uncw honor band festival
Featuring performances by UNCW faculty, guest conductor and more. Note: seating will be limited
Elizabeth Loparits, Norman Bemelmans piano Thursday, Oct. 24 7:30 pm BRH
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
Thursday, Oct. 3
UNCW Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds Friday, Dec. 6 7:30 MST
All proceeds benefit Department of Music scholarships
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
Einstein: Speaking of Mozart Barbara McKenzie and Friends Sunday, Sept. 29 7:30 pm BRH
7:30 pm BRH Marches, polkas, and other seasonal Oktoberfest music performed by special guests, and community and UNCW euphonium and tuba players. If you are interested in participating, contact Daniel Johnson, johnsond@uncw.edu.
An Evening of Jazz with Strings
Nancy King soprano Saturday, Sept. 21 8:00 pm KA
An Evening of Jazz with Strings Friday, Sept. 27 7:30 pm BRH Fundraiser for Department of Music scholarships
UNCW OctubaFest Saturday, Oct. 26
advance tickets available All proceeds benefit Department of Music scholarships
Ahmal and the Night Visitors Wilmington Symphony Orchestra UNCW Opera Outreach Project UNCW Chamber Choir Saturday, Dec. 7 7:30 KA Sunday, Dec. 8 4:00 KA
UNCW Jazz Ensemble I Friday, Oct. 4
7:30 pm BRH
Bettsy Curtis piano / Jennifer Muehrcke oboe Saturday, Oct. 5
7:30 pm BRH
Wilmington Symphony Orchestra
Danijela Zezelj-Gualdi violin Saturday, Oct. 19 8:00 pm KA
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra Sunday, Oct. 20
UNCW Department of Music Honors Recital Wednesday, Dec. 4 7:30 pm Wednesday, April 30 7:30 pm Join the Department of Music in a celebration with performances by outstanding vocal and instrumental students.
4:00 pm KA
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
UNCW Chamber Choir Sunday, Oct. 20
7:30 pm BRH
Jonathan Kuuskoski, Paola Savvidou piano Tuesday, Oct. 22
7:30 pm BRH
Ocean Calling: Meira Warshauer
Elizabeth Loparits, Norman Bemelmans piano co-sponsored by the office of cultural arts Thursday, Oct. 24 7:30 pm BRH Fundraiser for Department of Music scholarships
Clifford Leaman, saxophone
Wednesday, Oct. 30 7:30 pm BRH
Chamber Music Wilmington
Focus on the Future: Rising Stars – The Music of Rachmaninoff, Haydn and Adams; Attacca String Quartet, Ivan Moshchuk Sunday, Nov. 3 7:30 BRH Tickets: contact KA Box Office
Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra Sunday, Nov. 17
4:00 pm KA
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
UNCW Choirs
Sunday, Nov. 17
7:30 pm BRH
UNCW Jazz Ensemble II / Vocal Jazz Ensemble Monday, Nov. 18
7:30 pm BRH
UNCW Jazz Combos
Justin Hoke classical guitar
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
Thursday, Nov. 7
UNCW OctubaFest
Pro Musica: North Carolina Guitar Quartet
UNCW Jazz Ensemble I
Saturday, Oct. 26
7:30 pm BRH
Pat Ainspac: Celebrating A Life in Song Sunday, Oct. 27 Free
4:00 pm BRH
UNCW String Ensemble Sunday, Oct. 27
7:30 pm BRH
Thursday, Nov. 14
7:30 pm BRH 7:00 pm CAM
Contact venue for tickets 910.395.5999
Hindemith 50th anniversary celebration Saturday, Nov. 16
7:30 pm BRH
Wednesday, Nov. 20 7:30 pm BRH Friday, Nov. 22
7:30 pm BRH
UNCW String Ensemble Nov. 24
7:30
BRH
‘ d e p artm e nt o f music s p rin g 2 0 1 4
events New Music Festival Three days of film, recitals, workshops and master classes. see page 3 for details Co-sponsored by the Departments of Music, Anthropology, Film Studies, the Women’s Studies and Resource Center, Asian Studies, and the Office of Cultural Arts.
Brahms REQUIEM: UNCW CHOIRS Conducted by Joe Hickman Elizbeth Loparits, Norman Bemelmans piano Sunday, Feb. 23
4:00 pm BRH
32nd Annual Guest Artist Jazz Festival Special guests: Greg Gisbert trumpet, Barry Greene guitar UNCW jazz faculty and student ensembles Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29 All concerts begin at 7:30 pm in BRH UNCW Opera Outreach Project Otto Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor April 2013: dates TBA Nancy King directs UNCW students, alumni and special guests in German composer Carl Otto Nicolai’s lighthearted take on Shakespeare’s classic comedy. ticket arrangements TBA
Special guests: US Army Brass Quintet Wednesday, March 19 7:30 pm BRH Performing repertoire from the Renaissance to contemporary music.
Wednesday, Dec. 4 7:30
BRH
UNCW Honor Band Festival UNCW Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds Friday, Dec. 6
7:30
MST
Blue and Teal Honor Bands high school bands Saturday, Dec. 7 7:30 MST Note: seating will be limited for both concerts.
Ahmal and the Night Visitors Wilmington Symphony Orchestra UNCW Opera Outreach Project UNCW Chamber Choir Saturday, Dec. 7 Sunday, Dec. 8
8:00 4:00
KA KA
Tickets: contact KA Box Office
Tuba Christmas
Dec. 8 Free
3:00
Independence Mall
Beckwith Recital Hall and Mainstage Theatre are located in the Cultural Arts building on Randall Drive. Kenan Auditorium is located on the corner of Randall and Wagoner Drives. Tickets Unless otherwise listed Tickets are $5 general public, free to students with valid UNCW ID. Advance tickets for these events are not sold unless indicated. Tickets for these events may be purchased at the box office located in the event venue one hour prior to performance. Tickets are not issued for events listed as free. Advance ticket sales Events with the note “Contact KA box office” have a different pricing structure and are sold in advance and (when available) at the door one hour prior to performance.
UNCW Brassfest
UNCW Department of Music Honors Recital
Locations Abbreviations BRH Beckwith Recital Hall CAM Cameron Art Museum KA Kenan Auditorium MST Mainstage Theatre
Stay tuned! www.uncw.edu/happenings uncwmus@uncw.edu
contact information UNCW Department of Music Monday - Friday 8-5 pm www.uncw.edu/music uncwmus@uncw.edu · 910.962.3415 Kenan Auditorium Box Office all advance ticket sales
Monday - Friday 12-6 pm 910.962.3500 updates The events calendar is subject to change. Please go online or contact the Department of Music. Join our mailing list Contact the Department of Music to be added to our email or postal list. UNCW is an EEO/AA Institution. Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting the Department of Music at 910 .962.3415 or uncwmus@uncw.edu at least five days prior to the event.
faculty news
continued
School, Hillsborough, N.C., was guest conductor. The wind, per-
Barry Salwen (piano) made several appearances with the Atlan-
cussion, and brass faculty were involved in auditions and master
tean Piano Trio (Abigail van Steenhuyse, violin, and former UNCW
classes for the festival. Featured soloists with the UNCW Chamber
faculty member Richard Thomas, cello) in spring 2013: at UNCW,
Winds were Mary Jo White (flute), Nancy King (soprano) and
Presbyterian College, and on the Arts Trails chamber series in Flor-
Daniel Johnson (tuba). White performed the first movement of
ence, S.C. – the trio’s third engagement on this series, performing
Mike Mower’s Flute Concerto; King performed Frank Ticheli’s An-
music of Haydn, Mendelssohn, and William Ryden. Salwen contin-
gels in the Architecture; Johnson performed the first movement of
ued his series of opera classes, introducing the Met Live in HD se-
the Edward Gregson’s Tuba Concerto. Performances by Elizabeth Loparits (piano) included a twopiano recital with Norman Bemelmans in a tribute to Liszt (June, Paks, Hungary); two-piano concert with Bemelmans for the Office of Cultural Arts Master Series “Russian Romantics” (September 2012, Kenan Auditorium); performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto in G Major, K 453 for the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra’s season opening concert (September, Kenan Auditorium); UNCW OctubaFest master class and concert collaboration with guest artist Danny Vinson (October 2012, Beckwith Recital Hall); flute master
ries at Lumina Theatre, along with classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Operas introduced this season include Handel’s Guilio Cesare, Les Troyens, Parsifal, and The Tempest, a new work by British composer Thomas Adés. Salwen also gave the pre-concert lectures for the Wilmington series of the North Carolina Symphony; his 30-minute talks preceded each of the five concerts per season, which presented music from Bach to Brahms to a program of 20th century Welsh composers. In February 2012, Salwen directed the annual UNCW Piano Day, featuring workshops for piano students and teachers, and performances by UNCW faculty.
class and performance: collaboration with guest artist Nicolas Du-
Palm Coast Jazz included Jerald Shynett’s (trombone) compo-
champ (October, Beckwith Recital Hall); faculty recital: collaboration
sition “Exemption” in its October 2012 podcast. His arrangement
with Mike Waddell (clarinet) and guest artist Constance Waddell
of “Silent Night” was featured on Nnenna Frielon’s Christmas CD.
(October, Beckwith Recital Hall). In November 2012, her piano student won the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra Richard R. Deas Junior Division Student Concerto Competition. In July 2012, Loparits taught at the UNC Greensboro Summer Piano Camp. The Unknown Horowitz: The Man and His Music, by Sherrill Martin (music history) with Richard Boursey (Yale University), was accepted for publication by Indiana University Press, and will be included in their Malcolm Brown Russian Music series. Essays were contributed by UNCW faculty, including Martin, Steven Errante, Barry Salwen and Joe Kishton (Department of Psychology). Martin gave several presentations on Horowitz, including: “Horowitz as a Pedagogue” (April 2012, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine); “The Unknown Horowitz: the Man and His Music,” at the American Guild of Organists and the American Medical Society (April 2012); Asheville Area Music Teachers Forum (September 2012, Asheville, N.C.); “Teaching Tips from Piano Titans” at the North Carolina Music Teachers convention (October 2012, Chapel Hill),
As part of a select group of American technicians, piano technician Brynn Ulisnik traveled to Hamburg, Germany, in February 2013 to study with concert technicians at the Steinway factory. Mary Jo White (flute) collaborated with Alisa Gilliam, East Carolina University pianist and UNCW alumni, in a flute and piano recital (September 2012, Beckwith Recital Hall), joined by a string trio of Abigail van Steenhuyse, Carrie Jackson, and faculty member Chris Johns for a program of selections by Mozart, Piston, and Liebermann. In October 2012, French flutist Nicolas Duchamp gave a master class and concert for the UNCW flute studio and community members. White and Robert Nathanson were awarded a Cahill grant of $3,000 for the 2013–14 school year. Their research project includes the commissioning, performing and recording of a new composition for flute and guitar by internationally recognized composer Shih-Hui Chen. The premiere is scheduled for UNCW’s New Music Festival in February 2014.
for which Joe DiPiazza, (UNC Greensboro), performed the premiere
In December, Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi (violin) performed Steven
of Vladimir Horowitz’s Ballade, an unpublished composition discov-
Errante’s Sonata for Violin and Piano with Paolo André Gualdi (piano)
ered by Martin in the Vladimir Horowitz Papers at Yale University.
at the inaugural recital of the Pro Musica series. She was featured in
John Rack’s (percussion) composition Tango, a solo for five timpani, was accepted for publication by Innovative Percussion.
the film Parental Guidance, starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler. In January, Gualdi began work on a CD with the Balkan Quartet; she is a founding member of the group, which performs this fall in Georgia
Bob Russell (jazz guitar) presented “Speaking Jazz to the Rock
(Oxford, Savannah and Atlanta), Florence, S.C., and with the DeKalb
Guitarist” at the NCMEA In-Service Conference (November 2012,
Symphony. She was part of a collaboration with Frank Bongiorno
Winston-Salem). He presented a clinic on jazz guitar improvisation
for his North Carolina Jazz Festival tribute to Charlie Parker (Febru-
at the Southeastern Guitar and Amp Show (September 2012, Ra-
ary 2013, Wilmington Hilton). She participated in the South Carolina
leigh). Russell performed in the UNCW Summer Jazz Workshop
Chamber Music festival in February and performed in Croatia and It-
faculty concert, and performed with Mike Waddell at the Cameron
aly this summer.
Art Museum (October 2012).
introductions Catherine Creasy (horn) joined the faculty in August 2013 as applied instructor for horn. She is also the horn instructor at Lynchburg College and Sweet Briar College. Creasy received a Bachelor of Music in music performance from James Madison University, a Master of Music in music performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is a doctoral student at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She has performed with the Ashlawn Opera Orchestra, Opera on the James, the Heritage Theatre Festival, the Shenandoah Symphony, the Lynchburg Symphony, the Massanutten Brass Band and the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle in Raleigh. She was a founder of the Massanutten Youth Brass Band in Harrisonburg, Va., and teaches at the UNCG Summer Music Camp. Michael D’Angelo (drums) joined the faculty in August 2012 as a lecturer in jazz studies and applied instructor for drums. In 2013, he participated in his 11th consecutive UNCW Summer Jazz Workshop (as student, staff and, in 2012-13, as faculty). In 2011, D’Angelo was invited to participate in the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Music Institute for Jazz, a workshop for rising jazz performers and composers. D’Angelo holds a B.M. in instrumental performance from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music in jazz studies from Indiana University. At the University of North Texas, he performed with the One O’Clock Lab Band, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for Lab 2009. He has performed throughout the United States and internationally. Jason Foureman (bass) joined the faculty in August 2012 as applied instructor for bass. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and in 2005, was awarded a teaching assistantship at the University of Louisville where he received his Master of Music in jazz studies. He has traveled throughout Russia, Finland, Estonia, and Sweden performing and teaching jazz clinics. In 2006, he was awarded a position in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Foureman has performed with Cedar Walton, Eric Alexander, Corky Hale, Harry Pickens, Jim Snidero, Jamey Aebersold, Kenny Werner, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joel Frahm, Slide Hampton and Dave Leibman, among others. Justin Hoke (classical guitar) joined the faculty in August 2013 as applied instructor for classical guitar. He graduated summa cum laude from UNCW in 2007 with a B.M. performance in classical and jazz guitar, where he studied with Robert Nathanson and Bob Russell. He received his Master of Music in classical guitar performance from Appalachian State University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts at Florida State University. Awards include winner of the 2012 FSU Doctoral Concerto Competition, FSU graduate teaching assistantship 2010-2013, top prize in the Appalachian Guitarfest International Competition in 2010, top prize in the 2010 Music Academy of North Carolina Guitar Competition, ASU teaching assistantship 2008-2010, ASU scholarship 2008, and the William F. Adcock scholarship at UNCW 2006-2007. Karen Kane (recording technology) joined the faculty in August 2013 as instructor for recording technology. She attended Berklee College of Music and graduated from the Recording Institute of America, where she received diplomas in audio engineering. She has produced and/ or engineered more than 200 full-length albums and has engineered numerous live sound shows. She engineered three albums nominated for Juno Awards (the Canadian Grammy). She is the author of articles on recording methods and techniques published in Canadian Musician, Professional Sound, Sing Out and Hot Wire. In July 2013, she was named the Carolina Music Association’s producer of the year at the association’s sixth annual awards ceremony in Raleigh, an award covering North and South Carolina.
transitions Long-time faculty member and colleague, SHERRILL MARTIN (piano, music history) retired this fall after 34 years of teaching, research, and service to UNCW and the Department of Music. Although still very passionate about her teaching, Martin decided to retire, and “move on to the next phase in her life” to focus on research and writing, including the completion The Unknown Horowitz: The Man and His Music. During her tenure at UNCW, Martin excelled not only as a teacher, but also as a faculty mentor and leader within the department. Her experience, training and knowledge, coupled with the ease and enthusiasm in which she communicated with her students, personified the essence of an excellent teacher. Her teaching awards (Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, UNCW Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award, UNCW Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award) are a testament to her work as a teacher and a credit to the teaching profession. Martin’s contributions to research was recognized by UNCW in 2004 (UNCW Award for Faculty Scholarship); her overall scholarly output is recognized nationally and internationally, as her works can be found in libraries throughout the world, including Harvard, Yale and Princeton. The quantity and high quality of her research continues to bring attention to and reflect well on the UNCW music program. The Department of Music will mark the retirement of accompanist and vocal coach Patricia Ainspac with an evening of music by Nancy King, soprano, and Emery Stephens, baritone, on Oct. 27 in Beckwith Recital Hall, followed by a reception in the Cultural Arts Building lobby. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and the recipient of a Fulbright fellowship, she taught at the Henry Street Music School in New York City and the Conservatory of Music in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was accompanist for the New York Concert Choir and the American Opera Society of New York City, and worked with Eileen Farrell, Marilyn Horne and Leontyne Price. It wasn’t until she joined the university that she was able to realize her dream of becoming an accompanist and vocal coach. “I feel so grateful my life has turned out this way,” Ainspac said. “One should never give up, because it took me 50 years to get the life I always wanted.” In her 15 years at UNCW, Ainspac affected the lives of untold numbers of individuals through music education, from elementary school through college, and receives high praise from UNCW students and alumni for her skill, dedication and love of teaching.
student news
strengthening our love of place with musical performance in a culturally rich environment
John Crowley (B.M., performance, instrumental, trumpet) was the collegiate winner of the Richard R. Deas Student Concerto Competition UNCW Division, sponsored by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. He performed Alexander Arutunian’s Concerto for Trumpet with the orchestra in March 2013 at Kenan Auditorium. Ashley Beavis (B.M., performance, instrumental, flute) performed as a member of Wilmington Symphony Orchestra on several concerts. Beavis and Jennifer Giordano performed Schubert’s Introduction and Variations and Ibert’s Concerto finale at Nicolas DuChamp’s October 2012 flute master class. A jazz trio with Andy Blair (minor, jazz studies, jazz guitar), Luke Wilson (minor, jazz studies, drums) and Michael D’Angelo (drums)
alumni news
on bass performed at a reception for the UNCW Provost Club and the Board of Visitors in October 2012. Heather Bobeck (B.A., music, soprano), Whitney Lanier (B.M., music education, soprano), Alex Gazda (B.M., performance, voice, bass) and choir member Anderson McNaull performed seasonal carols for the chancellor’s December 2012 holiday reception. Beth Stovall (B.M., performance, soprano) was named “Miss Goldbsboro 2013” and competed in the Miss North Carolina competition in Raleigh, where she was awarded a preliminary talent award and placed into the top ten.
expressing the power of ideas and innovation through creativity and discovery in music
In November, Molly Karns Darden ‘10 (B.A., music) performed Handel’s Coronation Anthem No. 2 and Schubert’s Magnificat in C with the Cape Fear Chorale; she was a featured soloist for Vivaldi’s Gloria, performing “Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris.” Jennifer Justus ‘08 (B.M., music education) was a featured soloist on the Vivaldi, performing “Laudamus te” and “Domine Deus.” In December, Darden was a featured soloist for the first annual Jingle on the Beach at Wrightsville Beach. Zack Dye ‘09 (B.A., music) completed his master’s in composition in the United Kingdom and has returned to North Carolina to pursue an M.F.A. in film scoring at the UNC School of the Arts. David Easton ‘12 (B.M., performance, jazz studies) is orchestra guitarist for the Celebrity ship Constellation, travelling to Europe; upcoming ports of call include Miami, Key West, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico. Mary Gheen ‘09 (B.M., performance) is a graduate assistant at East Carolina University, and won the Graduate Level Division 7 in the Raleigh Area Flute Association’s Review and Contest (November 2012, Raleigh). Jennifer Giordano ‘13 (B.M., performance, instrumental, flute) performed the Ibert Piece pour flute seule and other solo works for the UNCW Advancement Office’s reception in November 2012. Nancy Jones Harder ‘06 (B.M., performance) has joined Opera Roanoke as an apprentice artist opera singer and will perform in their production of The Magic Flute this fall. Katie hope ‘12 (B.M., music education) accepted the position of general music teacher at Roger Bacon Academy in Leland, NC. Mark Lorek ‘02 (B.M., music education) was elected secretary to the North Carolina Bandmasters Association Eastern District and was nominated to conduct the 2013 All District Band. Nikki Myers ‘12 (B.A., music) is working full-time in production and post-production audio in the Wilmington film industry. She has
begun studies toward her M.F.A. in sound design for visual media at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Jennifer Lancaster Kirkland ‘07 (B.M., music education) began teaching band at Greenwood Middle School in Goldsboro. Ashley Kvitko ‘10 (B.M., performance) is a graduate assistant at Appalachian State University, pursuing her equivalency/masters of music therapy, where she works with the Students with Diverse Abilities Program, assisting college age adolescents with intellectual disabilities to graduate from a two-year college program. Aaron Reel ‘12 (B.A., music) accepted the position of director of contemporary music at North Raleigh United Methodist Church. Catherine Starek ‘10 (B.M., music education) received her masters in arts management from American University in May 2013 and has accepted a position as project coordinator at TRG Arts, a Denver-based consulting firm. Katie Stephens ‘10 (B.M., music education) accepted the position of general music teacher at Malpass Corner Elementary School in Burgaw, NC. Kennith Watts, Jr. ’13 (B.A., music, trombone) worked with band director Bob Pearson ‘05 (B.M., music education) as brass and percussion instructor and arranger for Wilmington’s E.A. Laney High School Marching Buccaneers. Watts was also brass instructor at New Hanover High School, working with band director Tim McCoy. In 2012, Watts performed as trombonist for The Color Purple and Spamalot at Thalian Hall, and as percussionist with faculty member Michael D’Angelo (drums) for “Global Focus: Haiti,” sponsored by UNCW Presents. As part of his graduate assistantship at the UNC School of the Arts, Mark Whitfield ‘12 (B.M., music education) was awarded the Nutcracker Scholarship for playing principal trombone in the UNCSA Nutcracker Orchestra. He received a similar scholarship for performing with the opera orchestra.
alumni making a difference Students at the UNCW Department of Music are the performers and educators of tomorrow. From music teachers teaching folks songs to elementary school students, to artists on the road and in the studio, UNCW alumni make a difference by applying what they have learned in the Department of Music to their work in their field and as part of society. Kari Avolis ‘12 (B.M., music education)
Grant emerson ‘08 (B.A., music)
Music teacher, College Park Elementary School, Wilmington, N.C.
Bass player with Warner Brothers recording artists Delta Rae
Avolis began teaching in the fall of 2012, four months after she re-
Since the release of Carry The Fire last summer, Emerson and Delta
ceived her degree in music education. Teaching elementary school
Rae have performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and twice
offered new challenges to Avolis, who reports on her progress.
on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. They were named VH1’s “You
voices Kari Avolis
“
Oughta Know” artist for October 2013, joining the ranks of Cold-
In
my first year of teaching, the knowledge I gained from my classes
play, Adele, and Mumford and Sons. The band has toured the Unit-
at UNCW is used and challenged every day. I went to my first day
ed States non-stop since June, traversing the country three times.
of class confident that I knew how to play instruments, sing, make a lesson
Delta Rae opened for First Lady Michelle Obama at Carmichael Are-
plan, speak in front of children, and measure and evaluate their progress,
na in 2012; on Halloween 2012 the band released a new music
but I didn’t know how I would regularly use this knowledge. I hadn’t realized
video for “Dance In The Graveyards”; Rolling Stone magazine pre-
that I would immediately put some of it to use, such as world drumming,
miered a live version online. Delta Rae toured the United States
foreign language and psychology. My favorite part of teaching young
with ZZ Ward, performed at the Grand Ole Opry and Bonnaroo, and
students is finding potential in young students who don’t know they have it.
will go back into the studio. Emerson, an endorsed artist for NS
Children are under so much pressure to perform on tests and assessments;
Electric Upright and Boulder Creek acoustic bass, took a minute to
allowing them to enjoy the act of performing in an expressive medium
reflect on what’s next and his evolution as a musician.
allows all ranges of students to flourish. I have the privilege of helping children discover their talent and build their musical confidence – from the to having second graders fluent in solfège. It is incredible to see how little minds absorb music like a sponge, with no effort and with no resistance. I love the diverse school I’ve landed in, where I get to see the excitement of a third grader from Russia learning about Tchaikovsky for the first time, and where I have the opportunity to teach a folk song from Ecuador to a
“
The band
We are working on a new batch of tunes that I am re-
ally excited about. When we aren’t on tour, I go into hermit mode and work on improving my technique and learning new styles of music. Studying jazz gave me the ability to be able to hang in any musical situation. Being a bass player, I sit back and watch and listen to what is going on musically and try to support it. For me, it’s knowing when to say when and when to say BASS
class with multiple native Spanish-speakers where they get to help teach
In Your Face! Studying jazz helped me develop my taste to make good mu-
the class. Every day, I get to go to work and show students– whose lives
sical choices. When I joined Delta Rae, my schedule was very rigorous: I
often don’t allow for the privilege of music– the color and confidence that
was playing in two other bands and working two part-time jobs. Just re-
making music can bring into their lives.
cently, playing First Night Raleigh on New Year’s Eve was an incredible ex-
”
Avolis maintains a busy schedule, but also teaches saxophone lessons to eight New Hanover High School students. Last fall, she was part of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra saxophone section for their performance of Bolero. This summer, Avolis was a member of the UNCW Summer Jazz Workshop faculty and directed the big band comprised of middle school students.
”
perience. The energy in the band and in the crowd was electric – I felt like I was floating on the stage…those are the moment I love most.
On network TV, you can hear Delta Rae’s version of the Peggy Lee classic “Bless You (For The Good That’s In You)” from the Gangster Squad soundtrack, and on the Fox network’s So You Think You Can Dance.
how you can make a difference Our students are the performers and educators of tomorrow. Ensuring their future requires the support of the university, the music faculty and you. Your generosity helps purchase classroom equipment, support scholarships, student services, and extracurricular activities, all of which make possible a rich, meaningful education for UNCW music students. Please consider joining the growing number of the department’s alumni and friends who have pledged their support. Your act of kindness goes a long way toward assuring a bright future for UNCW and the Department of Music. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions or would like additional information regarding opportunities to give. I hope to hear from you! – Frank Bongiorno, chair, Department of Music bongiornof@uncw.edu 910.962.3390
voices grant emerson
kindergartners who don’t know how to move their voice higher and lower
is game-planning what our next album will be like.
Stay tuned Contact the Department of Music to be added to our electronic mailing list: uncwmus@uncw.edu or 910.962.3415 Visit uncw.edu/happenings for a listing of all the arts and cultural events on campus.
cover photos left to right
Kari Avolis ‘12 (B.M., music education); Grant Emerson ‘08 (B.A., music) photos credits
Photo of Grant Emerson by Adam David Kissick All other photos UNCW: Jamie Moncrief, Michael Escobar, Sarah Beavis or courtesy of the artists. University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Music 601 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403-5975
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