Posts under the ‘News’ category

2012 Photo Gallery

An artful show

The Student Art and Design Show is on display at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts at Michigan Technological University.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Stacey Kukkonen.

Dona Nobis Pacem, an emotional experience for all

Both the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Concert Choir finished their 2011-12 concert seasons on Saturday, April 14 with a joint concert, Dona Nobis Pacem. The concert, which ran for a little less than two hours, was divided into three parts. In the first part, the KSO performed Camille Sant-Saëns’ “Bacchanale” and Claude Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” under the direction of Dr. Joel Neves. In the second, the Concert Choir performed Jonathan Dove’s “Ring Out, Wild Bells” and Concert Choir founder Milton Olsson’s “Moments” under the direction of Dr. Jared Anderson. Following an intermission, the KSO and Concert Choir combined under Dr. Anderson for the featured performance of Dona nobis pacem, with Lara Neves as mezzo-soprano and Nathan Herfindalh as baritone soloists.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha. Note: The captions and photos for Joel Neves and Jared Anderson are switched.

An exciting two days of music at Michigan Tech

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra rehearses Friday at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts for its concert with the Michigan Tech Concert Choir at 7:30 p.m. today at the Rozsa.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Stacey Kukkonen.

Dona Nobis Pacem. “Grant Us Peace”

The main piece of the upcoming Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Tech Concerts Choir concert has a rich history behind it. Vaughan Williams, the composer, wrote this song based on the poetry of Walt Whitman. Both men served the wounded in war, Williams in the trenches of World War I and Whitman in a Washington D.C. hospital during the American Civil War.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

Orchestra, Choir Present “Dona Nobis Pacem” and More

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Choir will perform Ralph Vaughan Williams” war cantata, “Dona Nobis Pacem,” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 14, in the Rozsa Center.

Conductor Jared Anderson states, “Vaughan Williams’ orchestral colors and lush instrumentation make this piece a real pleasure to perform. We are excited to have two first-rate soloists join us in this monumental work. The singers and instrumentalists from Michigan Tech have been working very hard to make this performance an experience to remember.”

Soprano Lara Neves and baritone Nathan Herfindahl will join in the performance of this gripping portrait of warfare and heartfelt plea for peace.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

TechAlum Newsletter is asking if anyone remembers the 1979-80 Jazz Lab Band or did some sound recordings with Christopher Plummer. Contact Dennis Walikainen.

Tim Nielsen reports that he remembers most of the names of the people pictured.

Read more in the TechAlum Newsletter – From the Email Bag.

Great Lakes Showcase exhibit in Rozsa Gallery continues through March 30

Artist Susanne Kilpela, winner of the Best of Show award in the three-dimensional category at the Great Lakes Showcase exhibit, is pictured here with her porcelain sculpture, “Temporal Touchstone,” in the Rozsa Gallery during the opening reception March 12. Kilpela also won a third place award in the 3D category for her piece “Communciation Issues.” (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

Read more at Keweenaw Now.

Lecturer Susanne Kilpela (VPA) received two awards at the recent Great Lakes Showcase at the Rozsa Center: Two of her porcelain creations earned best of show in 3–D and third place in 3–D. In all, 14 artists received awards.

Libby Meyer and her fabulous fiddle, accompanied by her henchmen, Dave Bezotte, Randy Seppala, and Oren Tikkanen, at the IRISH TIMES in Laurium, St. Patrick’s Day, Sat, March 17, 7-11 PM. Reels, jigs, and rowdy songs–come on out!

Don Keranen Memorial Concert

Both the R&D Big Band and the Jazz Lab Band were joined by two guest artists, both from the Twin Cities area. One of the two, Gus Sandberg, is a native of Chassell. He has a degree in music performance (saxophone) from the University of Wisconsin – Stephen’s Point, and has played with groups such as the Jack Brass Band, Mike Sterling, and the Irresistibles, and Dr. Mambo’s Combo. The other, Scott Agster, is a trombonist who studied for both bachelor and master’s degrees in music at the University of North Texas. He was worked with The Jack Brass Band, Salsa del Soul, and Tom Hunter and the Blues Frenzy.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

45 years of jazz

See the photo at the Mining Gazette, by Stacey Kukkonen.

Reminder: Celebrate 45 Years of Jazz at the Rozsa

Alumni will play a big role in the festivities, and a reception for them will follow the concert. “We’ve got alums from all over coming back,” Mike Irish, director of Jazz Studies, said. So far, the oldest will be Tim Nielsen ’76, and the youngest will be Andy Kurzeniewski ’10.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Annual Memorial Concert is fast approaching

Right now, the Michigan Tech jazz bands are putting the finishing touches on their performances for the upcoming annual Don Keranen Memorial Concert, just like every year. This year, however, is not just like every year: the jazz program is celebrating its 45th anniversary.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.

Celebrate! Forty-five Years of Jazz at Michigan Tech

A forty-fifth anniversary is a great reason to celebrate, and the jazz program at Michigan Technological University intends to party hearty.

It all starts on Friday, March 23, at 8:00 p.m. with the Off ‘Dem Jam Session at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Hancock.

The forty-fifth anniversary concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24 at the Rozsa Center. It will also be the twelfth annual Don Keranen Memorial Concert.

Read more at Michigan Tech News, by Dennis Walikainen.

TechAlum Newsletter is asking if anyone was in KSO or Concert Choir in 2005. Also, were you in Little Theatre or acted in a production while at Tech? Contact Dennis Walikainen.

Christopher Plummer is among the nominees for the Michigan Tech Distinguished Teaching Award in the Associate Professor/Professor Category. The award is coordinated by the Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development (CTLFD). Please submit your comments by March 30, 2012.

Christopher Plummer is an Associate Professor of Sound.

Mike Irish Presents Jazz Night at the Orpheum Theater…and admission is FREE!! Come check out the groovy tunes in the beautiful Orpheum atmosphere… The event takes place on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The Orpheum is located at 426 Quincy St., Hancock, MI. The venue is a remodeled vaudeville theatre built in 1910. For more information, visit the Studio Pizza website.

KSO performs third show

Four pieces were performed, three of them being of classical composers and the final being a premiere of Michigan Tech’s very own Dr. Milton Olson. While all the pieces felt familiar they all had their own personalities that set them apart. Each piece felt as though a tragedy was being played out. It was very easy for the audience to envision the picture behind the music.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Mandy Barbul-Couch.

Olsson to premiere ‘Dialogues’ with KSO

Because of his knowledge of the KSO, Olsson also was able to give parts to players who may not get to show off their skills as often. ”It’s an interesting work; there’s a solo for alto flute, a solo for electric guitar,” Neves said. “It’s challenging but fun because it’s personalized. Because of his knowledge of the KSO, Olsson also was able to give parts to players who may not get to show off their skills as often. ”It’s an interesting work; there’s a solo for alto flute, a solo for electric guitar,” Neves said. “It’s challenging but fun because it’s personalized.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Zach Kukkonen.

KSO Performs Milt Olsson Composition

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra will perform the premier of Milt Olsson’s “Dialogues for Orchestra”. Conductor Joel Neves said the KSO commissioned Olsson, former conductor of the orchestra, to compose a new work that coincided with the ensemble’s 40th anniversary.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra performing at the Rozsa

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra is nearly ready to perform its third concert of the 2011-12 season. On February 18 at 7:30 pm, the KSO will not only kick off 2012 with the ever-popular William Tell Overture, but will also debut a brand-new piece by Milton Olsson. Olsson was the previous director of the KSO, before current director Dr. Joel Neves, and has written other pieces for Michigan Tech’s musical ensembles: in 1999, the KSO premiered his Konzertstück, and in 2000 the KSO and Michigan Tech Concert Choir teamed up to premier his Mass for Choir and Orchestra.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Nick Blecha.