JUNO Award winner David Braid headlines Homecoming concerts

JUNO Award winning jazz pianist and composer David Braid will be joined by Turkish drummer Serkan Alagök as the Brandon University (BU) School of Music opens its pro series season at Homecoming.

Braid and Alagök will perform at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, inside the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building, on Thursday, Sept. 14. Tickets are available at the door, and admission is $20 for adults and seniors, but free for registered Homecoming guests. There is also no charge for School of Music and Eckhardt-Grammaté Conservatory of Music students.

“We’ve planned a spectacular evening of music to celebrate Homecoming and the return of the pro series,” said Greg Gatien, Dean of Music at BU. “Our guests are in for a real treat, as David and Serkan are both incredibly accomplished musicians who have delighted audiences the world over.”

Braid and Alagök will be accompanied by School of Music faculty member Marika Galea on bass at Thursday’s concert. Braid and Alagök, on bassoon, will also grace the Lorne Watson Recital Hall stage again with a different program on Friday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. They will join with the Brandon Chamber Players for a performance entitled Stories from Central Asia and the Caucases. Featuring works by Braid, Friday’s concert will include School of Music faculty members Cathy Wood on Clarinet and Kerry Du Wors on violin, as well as pianist Madeline Hildebrand.

Hailed by the Ottawa Citizen as “one of his country’s true renaissance men when it comes to music,” Braid is a 10-time nominee and four-time JUNO Award winner. His first classical composition was nominated for Classical Album of the Year, and his first film score won two Screen Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. He is also the recipient of the Paul de Hueck and Normal Walford Career Achievement Award for Keyboard Artistry from the Ontario Foundation for the Arts. Braid is Composer-in-Residence for Sinfonia UK Collective and Adjunct Professor at the Danish National Academy of Music.

“Some amazing music at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall is the perfect way to set the mood for a memorable weekend.”

Nick Brown, Advancement Officer

Born in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Alagök has been drumming professionally since 2005. He also studies bassoon, earning undergraduate and master’s degrees from Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, and he is pursuing his PhD in bassoon at Anadolu University State Conservatory. Alagök has performed in concerts and festivals around the world, has performed for album recordings and television programs, and has been a lecturer at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory Jazz Department since 2014.

Homecoming will take place from Thursday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 17, and the concert will cap off the opening day of festivities. The full schedule of events, including the Homecoming Soirée, Bobcat soccer games, the Decades Social, a lecture by agrologist expert Robert Saik, games and a trivia night, is available at BrandonU.ca/Homecoming.

“The concerts are highlights of Homecoming each year, and members of the School of Music have really outdone themselves,” said BU Advancement Officer Nick Brown, who is one of the Homecoming organizers. “We have a packed schedule of events, with something for everyone, right through Sunday. Some amazing music at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall is the perfect way to set the mood for a memorable weekend.”

The School of Music gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Manitoba Arts Council.

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

Please contact the School of Music at Music@BrandonU.ca with any accessibility considerations.

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