BU School of Music faculty concert promises to be pro series highlight

To kick off the New Year, the pro series proposes an evening with the talented professional musicians who make Brandon University their home base. The 2018 edition of this annual treat will feature more than a dozen past and present faculty members as well as some of the talented students whom they have taught. The programme will survey a great range of eras, styles and works — from Handel to trailblazing composers.

“Since the pro series’ inception almost 20 years ago, the Faculty Concert has been a highlight of each season. So, it is with great pleasure that we are hosting this wonderful and diverse evening of faculty performances,” said Greg Gatien, the Dean of Music at Brandon University. “We are so fortunate to have such an excellent team of educators on staff. This event allows us to showcase their talent, skills and dedication to making music, and share it with our audiences.”

Among the performers in the Faculty Concert lineup are:

• pianist Everett Hopfner will perform Kotoka Suzuki’s Hidden Voices;
• saxophonist and new faculty member Matthew Steckler along with drummer Eric Platz, sessional instructor and guitarist Keith Price, and senior student Matthew Kozicki on bass will perform original works by Steckler;
• trombonist Aaron Wilson will perform Brad Edwards’ Blue Wolf;
• guitarist Paul Madryga will perform Sakura Theme and Variations by Yuquijiro Yocoh;
• a chamber ensemble comprised of flautist Nancy Hennen, clarinetist Cathy Wood, violinist Kerry DuWors, violist Robert Richardson Jr., ‘cellist Leanne Zacharias, and double bassist Crystal White will perform Lullaby and Doina by Osvaldo Golijov;
• soprano Sharon Rogers and collaborative artist Robert Richardson Sr. (and Professor Emeritus) will perform Handel’s “Piangerò la sorte mia”, from Giulio Cesare.

The pro series’ presentation of the Faculty Concert will take place at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 9, in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, in the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building at Brandon University. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and alumni, and are available at the door or in advance in the Main Office in the School of Music. The next pro series concert is slated for February 13, 2018, at 7:30 p.m., and will present soprano Sarah Kirsch with collaborative pianist Chris Kayler.

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

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