Jared Anderson Appointed Chair of VPA

Jared Anderson has accepted the position of chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts for the period July 2016 to June 2019. He came to Michigan Tech in 2010, after teaching at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. His expertise is music, specifically choral conducting, as well as piano and music theory. Anderson’s resume shows significant experience as a conductor and as a performer with, among other groups, the Dale Warland Singers in St. Paul, Minnesota. This range of experience has served Anderson well in strengthening and developing the various vocal ensembles at Michigan Tech since 2010.

Anderson has served as interim department chair since December 2013, and was recommended for the chair after a departmental search was conducted last spring. Dean of the College of Sciences and Arts Bruce Seely expressed his pleasure at the recommendation of the search committee. “Jared is the type of person who struck me—and others—as a possible future department chair almost from the time he arrived on campus.”

Seely added that Anderson brought not only a strong interest in music, but an equally strong desire to connect music with the other areas of emphasis within the department—art, theatre and sound. At other universities, such a collection of artistic interests are not often located in such close proximity, but Michigan Tech seeks to take advantage of this unique opportunity for co-existence.

 

Read more at Tech Today, by College of Science and Arts

Rozsa 2016-2017 Season Ticket Packages on sale August 1

What happens when you combine breakdancing with roller skates, circus with bicycle mechanics, culture-clash with dancing and singing and three ballets in two nights? You get the Rozsa Visual and Performing Arts 2016/17 season.

The Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts is the home of visual and performing arts at Michigan Tech. The Rozsa Visual and Performing Arts 2016/17 season is nearly here with season ticket packages going on sale August 1, offering the best discounts available.

From BreakSk8, to two nights of Russian National Ballet, to Cirque Mechanics’ Pedal Punk, to “West Side Story,” there are so many great shows at the Rozsa available at 20 to 40 percent off single ticket prices if you buy early.

Season tickets are available for a limited time only. For more details visit http://www.rozsa.mtu.edu or contact Bethany Jones for more information.

Jazz Lab Band Takes Third at Jazz Fest

The Michigan Tech Jazz Lab Band did well in the Eau Claire Jazz Festival held April 22-23 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The Jazz Lab Band took third place in the College Big Band category. With a score of 86.5, the Jazz Lab Band finished just behind second-place University of Wisconsin-Madison Jazz Ensemble (87.750). UW-Madison’s Jazz Orchestra won the College Big Band Category with a score of 92.

Two Michigan Tech ensembles opened the festival on the morning of April 22. MOMENTUM, an ensemble of horns, vocal and rhythm section opened the day at 8 a.m. followed by JAZTEC, a seven-piece combo that specializes in contemporary jazz, funk and original styles.

Under the direction of Mike Irish (VPA) director of Jazz Studies, the Jazz Lab Band is a big band comprised of up to 20 musicians from throughout the country and features a broad repertoire of music ranging from the Big Band Era to contemporary jazz and original compositions.

Irish says the accomplishments of the Tech students are even more impressive when you consider none are music majors.
“It is always gratifying to do well against all of the music schools, since we are the only ‘non-music-program’ school competing.”

Guatemalan Kite Flying at McLain State Park

Students in Lisa Gordillo’s (VPA), Outdoor Sculpture class will fly kites inspired by the Guatemalan “barrilete.”

The event will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at McLain State Park.

This is a free event and open to the public. All are welcome to join us to celebrate.

After the event, kites will be on display in the Rozsa Lobby through the end of June.

Read more at Tech Today, by Lisa Gordillo

Sneak Peak 2016-2017 Rozsa VPA Season

We have come to the close of another arts season at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it a success.
So much was new this year from the World Without Ice climate change meditation/film/sound installation exhibit in McArdle Theatre to the cutting-edge new Project Learning Lab experimental art space in the Rozsa gallery b. From the beautiful collaboration of the Minnesota Ballet’s Nutcracker with the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, with new discount Family Ticket Packages that brought so many more families out to enjoy a night at the theater, to the wildly interactive adventure “Intergalactic Nemesis: Target Earth” live-action graphic novel. It was a vibrant, thoughtful and above all, enjoyable season.
We are now in the process of gearing up for the 2016-2017 Rozsa Visual and Performing Arts season and here is a taste of what we have in store.

More details and so many more events are coming soon. Hope to see you here next season.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones

2016 REF Grants for VPA Faculty

The Vice President for Research Office announces the 2016 REF awards and thanks the review committees, the deans and department chairs for their time spent on this important internal research award process. Among the recipients are:

Infrastructure Enhancement (IE) Grants

Jared Anderson, Visual and Performing Arts – Yamaha CL5 Digital Mixing Console

Scholarship and Creativity Grants

Mike Christianson, Visual and Performing Arts
Christopher Plummer, Visual and Performing Arts

Read more at Tech Today, by VPR.

Choirs Present “Songs of the Earth” Friday

Songs of the EarthJoin the choirs of Michigan Tech as they present the final Rozsa event of the season, a concert entitled “Songs of the Earth.”

The concert celebrates Earth Day with music inspired by nature or includes themes relating to the natural world.

The Michigan Tech Concert Choir will perform music from Haydn’s “Creation,” paired with a setting of poetry of George MacDonald, titled “Communion,” by René Clausen.

Other selections include American folk-songs “Sourwood Mountain,” “Black Sheep” and “Shenandoah.”

Music by contemporary composers Jeff Cobb and David Evan Thomas provide variety to the program with the setting of the tongue-twister “Esau Wood” and Emily Dickenson’s description of a storm, titled “An Awful Tempest.”

ConScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers will premiere a new work by Elizabeth Meyer (VPA), titled “To What Listens,” for choir, trombone, piano and percussion.

Other selections include two choral soundscapes, “Tundra” by Ola Gjeilo and “The Whole Sea in Motion” by Dale Trumbore.

Another set, titled “Flower Songs,” will feature the music of Chen YI, John Clements and Carlos Guastavino.

The show will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets for “Songs of the Earth” are on sale now, $13 for adults, $5 for youth and no charge for Michigan Tech students with the Experience Tech fee.

Tickets are available by phone at 7-2073, online or in person at the Central Ticket Office in the Student Development Complex.

From Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Michigan Tech, the Keweenaw Celebrate Earth Day

Today, April 22, 2016, marks the 46th anniversary of Earth Day. It was established in 1970 by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, in response to massive oil spills and growing environmental hazards from industrial pollutants.

Earth Day is an international observance with more than 192 countries working together to find solutions for our world. From education in the schools on green solutions to Adopt a Highway programs, there is something each of us can do to join the campaign to protect the planet.

Michigan Tech is presenting the Rozsa Center season’s final concert titled “Songs of the Earth,” a musical presentation inspired by nature at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow (April 23).

Read more at Tech Today, by Mary LaDoux, Student Writer.

KSO Presents “Shakespeare at the Symphony” at Calumet Theatre

KSO ShakespeareThe Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra returns to the Calumet Theatre to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2016, at the Calumet Theatre.

The KSO performs orchestral music inspired by several of the Bard’s plays, including “The Tempest” (Sibelius), “Hamlet” (Berlioz), “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Mendelssohn) and “Romeo and Juliet” (Berlioz and Prokofiev).

Music Director Joel Neves (VPA) says “the KSO is excited to perform at the historic Calumet Theatre for the first time since 2011. The music of Shakespeare is dramatic, expressive, colorful, inventive — the perfect companion to his plays. Our concert will be a revelatory experience for those who enjoy the fusion of music and literature. I look forward to sharing this with our patrons.”

Tickets are on sale now, $19 for adults, $6 for youth, no charge for Michigan Tech students with the Experience Tech fee. Tickets are available by phone at 7-2073, online, in person at the Central Ticket Office in the Student Development Complex or at the Calumet Theatre Box Office.

From Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

17th Annual Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Concert Friday

Don Keranen49 years of great jazz and counting. Join Jazz Studies Program Director Mike Irish and the Michigan Tech Jazz ensembles for the 17th Annual Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 15, 2016, at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts.

The R&D Big Band will perform “Little Sunflower” with the addition of interesting sound effects and a woodwind quintet. The Jazz Lab Band will feature vocalists Kattie Riutta and Kevin Rocheleau singing “Used To Rule The World” and “Diggin’ On James Brown,” respectively. The Jazz Lab Band will perform a classic composition from the library of the Buddy Rich Big Band entitled “Groovin’ Hard” written by Don Menza. In a more contemporary style, the R&D Band will funk-out on the Tower of Power classic “Soul Vaccination.”

In 2003, Jay Keranen developed an endowed award program in his father’s name. Two $500 amounts are awarded for Outstanding Jazz Musician and The Most Improved Jazz Musician. This year’s recipients will be announced during the evening’s concert.

Tickets for the Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Concert are on sale now, $13 for adults, $5 for youth and no charge for Michigan Tech students with the Experience Tech fee. Tickets are available by phone at 7-2073, online, in person at the Central Ticket Office in the SDC or at the Rozsa Box Office the evening of the performance. Note that the Rozsa Box Office only opens two hours prior to performances.

From Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Superior Wind Symphony Presents “Pageantry”

SWS PageantryPageantry” is an evening of music created for large celebrations! From the music of Charles Gounod and John Philip Sousa to John Mackey and Winton Marsalis, come listen to music designed to make you feel the grandness and the thrill of important occasions.

Never been to a Superior Wind Symphony concert? It is the only Michigan Tech music ensemble composed entirely of non-music majors: chemists, engineers, physics, even math majors, make up the band.

Come to the “Pageantry” concert this at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9 in the McArdle Theatre, and enjoy the show.

Tickets for “Pageantry” are on sale now, $13 for adults, $5 for youth and no charge for Michigan Tech students with the Experience Tech fee. Tickets are available by phone at 7-2073, online, in person at the Central Ticketing Office in the SDC or at the McArdle Theatre door the evening of the performance.

From Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.