Category: Music

A day to celebrate the Keweenaw

This year, students were greeted by crowd favorite tunes by the Michigan Tech Pep Band, and a rock band eventually took the stage to pump out popular music from the last decade.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Stacey Kukkonen.

Interspersed throughout the season are also numerous local classical music concerts, with multiple concerts by the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, which will also perform with the Hampton [Rock] String Quartet. Jazz aficionados can attend the Jazz Showcase in the fall or the Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Concert in the spring, and there will also be a pair of choral concerts by the Tech Concert Choir and the Michigan Tech Chamber Singers.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Zach Kukkonen.

JD Hill has submitted a photo of the Pep Band from 1993.

Read more in the TechAlum Newsletter, From the Email Bag, Vol. 18, No. 24, July 17, 2012.

Title: Instructor or Visiting Assistant Professor/Director of Bands

Department: Visual and Performing Arts (www.mtu.edu/vpa/)

Status: Full-time/Non-tenure Track

Description: Michigan Technological University seeks a dynamic conductor-educator to fill the position of Director of Bands for an annual appointment renewable for up to two additional years beginning August 2012.  The position entails directing a growing and innovative band program with a 250-member pep band, an auditioned wind symphony, and a non-auditioned concert band.  Other activities include coaching chamber ensembles, advising student organizations, and participating in yearly regional tours.  The successful candidate will demonstrate a high level of conducting ability, thorough knowledge of the band repertoire, significant experience in recruitment and retention, proven ability to innovate and grow a successful band program, and a strong commitment to music education.

Teaching Responsibilities: Conduct Superior Wind Symphony, Campus Concert Band, and Huskies Pep Band.  Teach music theory and other music courses.

Required Qualifications: Masters degree in music completed by July 2012.  Evidence of successful teaching and conducting experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Doctoral degree in music.  Experience teaching academic music courses at the university and/or secondary level.  Advanced skills on a band instrument.

To Apply: Screening begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  Candidates will email: 1) letter of application, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) phone and email for five references, and 4) video clip (preferably YouTube) of representative conducting in both performance and rehearsal to jbneves@mtu.edu.  Questions may be referred to Dr. Joel Neves, Search Committee Chair, via this email or phone (906-487-2859).

Other Information: The Visual and Performing Arts Department—comprised of visual art, theatre, sound, and music divisions—is one of the most innovative and successful arts organizations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  Michigan Technological University (www.mtu.edu), established in 1885, is a nationally recognized research university and a leader in science and engineering education. Michigan Tech ranks in the top tier of national universities, according to U.S. News & World Report’s latest edition of America’s Best Colleges. Michigan Tech is located in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula, on the south shore of Lake Superior.  Houghton and the surrounding Keweenaw Peninsula are well known for natural beauty and abundant outdoor activities in all seasons.  Recently, Houghton was ranked in “The 100 Best Small Towns in America.”  Houghton provides a unique setting where natural beauty, culture, education and the diversity of residents from around the world come together to provide a superb living experience.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/ Equal Opportunity Employer.

Director of Bands Vacancy – VPA – Michigan Tech (PDF)

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.