Special Pro Series concert to open BU Homecoming

BRANDON, Man. — The Brandon University (BU) School of Music’s Pro Series has a special treat planned for Homecoming Weekend guests.

On Thursday, Oct. 12, two of the School of Music’s talented musicians will give a concert to kick off this year’s edition of the BU Homecoming Weekend. Saxophonist Greg Gatien, who is the Dean of Music at BU, and his colleague, pianist Michael Cain, will perform a recital of jazz favourites, for both alumni taking in Homecoming events and for local fans of the Pro Series.

“We thought this was the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the wonderful musical talent we have at Brandon University for our alumni, some of whom will be travelling thousands of kilometres for Homecoming festivities,” said Carla Eisler, the BU Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs.

Homecoming Weekend will take place from Oct. 12 to 15, with a wide range of activities planned, including complimentary admission to the Pro Series concert for registered participants. To register for Homecoming Weekend or to see a schedule of events, visit BrandonU.ca/Homecoming.

The Pro Series Homecoming concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall in BU’s Queen Elizabeth II Music Building. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and alumni who are not registered Homecoming guests. Subscriptions are also available for the entire Pro Series season, and are $75 for adults and $50 for students, seniors and alumni. Tickets and subscriptions are available at the door or in advance in the Main Office in the School of Music.

Originally from Las Vegas, Cain has collaborated with some of the jazz world’s greats, including Jack DeJohnette Greg Osby, Robin Eubanks, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Ravi Coltrane, Bobby McFerrin, Stanley Turrentine, Pat Metheny, and Meshell N’degeocello, among numerous others. He has not only contributed as a sideman to many recordings, but has 11 to his credit as leader or soloist. Prior to coming to Canada in 2008 to teach at BU, he was on faculty at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where Gatien was one of his colleagues.

Gatien joined the BU faculty in 2001 and has been one of the driving forces behind the highly esteemed jazz program in Brandon. Gatien has not only taught and performed extensively in Canada and the United States, but he is a sought-after adjudicator and is the director of the jazz program at the International Music Camp. Since moving to Manitoba, he has lent his talents to the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra as well as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Along with participating in many CBC projects, he has appeared on several recordings, including a recent collaboration entitled The Complete Rebirth of the Cool.  He has been the Dean of Music at BU since 2015.

“It is a joy to perform alongside Michael.  He is a singular talent who I have admired for many years, and I’m grateful that our community will have an opportunity to hear him in this context,” said Gatien, who added that it has been a privilege to work closely with the Homecoming’s organizers to present this concert.

“For me, it is always such a pleasure to perform in Brandon, and I look forward to meeting visiting alumni as well as our loyal audience members after the performance.”

Up next in the Pro Series season will be the farewell tour recital of the Cecilia String Quartet, with special guest, clarinetist James Campbell. The programme will include Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 18 No. 3, Mendelssohn’s String Quartet Op. 44 No.1 and Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet Op. 115. That concert will take place Tuesday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m., in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall.

The School of Music gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of Manitoba, through a Consolidated Arts Programming Grant through Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

Please note that seating in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall is limited and that programmes are subject to change. For up-to-date listing of pro series and student performances, please visit BrandonU.ca/Music/Events/Category/Performances.

Contact