Visual and Performing Arts News

Spring Choral/Orchestral Concert “Dona Nobis Pacem”

Published April 9, 2012

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.

Alums in Jazz Lab Band or Sound Recording

Published March 27, 2012

By College of Engineering

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.

Spring Revels

Published March 26, 2012

By College of Engineering

Announcements

Spring Revels concert is a foot-tapping good time

A standing ovation met Enz as he stepped from the conductor’s stand, as were two bouquets to add to that given him already by the concert band. Small speeches of great thanks were given right before the symphony burst into a well-known pep band melody in farewell. Enz stepped up to the stand to conduct them for possibly the last time. Nicholas Enz will pursue his doctorate in conducting at Ohio State University this fall.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Abigail Dillon.

Director Nick Enz to Conduct Anticipated Spring Revels Concert

With a portion of the soundtrack from the Original Star Wars Trilogy being performed by the Superior Wind Symphony, it was easy for him to point out examples of how the music is played is just as important as what note is played when. Each piece has its own “note shape” that evokes certain emotions. For “The Battle in the Forest,” a piece from Return of the Jedi, the sound of the music was to be crisp, each note sharp like an explosion, the entire song rhythmically driven. In contrast “The Imperial March” has an ominous sense to it, lent by the drawn out notes.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Abigail Dillon.

“Superior Winds: Spring Revels,” Saturday in the Rozsa

The Rozsa Center and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts present “Superior Winds: Spring Revels,” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 31.

The event will showcase an evening featuring the music of John Williams, from the original Star Wars Trilogy, and a new arrangement of a work by renowned contemporary composer Eric Whitacre. There will be performances by both the Superior Wind Symphony and the Campus Concert Band, conducted by Nicolas Enz, director of bands.

The Rozsa Center and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts present “Superior Winds: Spring Revels,” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 31.
The event will showcase an evening featuring the music of John Williams, from the original Star Wars Trilogy, and a new arrangement of a work by renowned contemporary composer Eric Whitacre. There will be performances by both the Superior Wind Symphony and the Campus Concert Band, conducted by Nicolas Enz, director of bands.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Kilpela Awarded at Great Lakes Showcase

Published March 21, 2012

By College of Engineering

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)

St. Patrick’s Day

Published March 16, 2012

By College of Engineering

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!

Twelfth Night

Published March 13, 2012

By College of Engineering

Announcements

Fights, wit and Shakespeare

The three sword fights in “Twelfth Night” are something Helsel is particularly proud of, as she brought in Zev Steinberg – a “fight coordinator” from Chicago – to work with the cast for two days in the art of stage combat. In rehearsing the fights, 30 seconds of fighting took an hour and a half to stage, according to a press release.

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Zach Kukkonen.

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Shakespeare’s comic story follows Viola, a young woman who has been shipwrecked in a violent storm off the coast of Illyria; in the process she has lost her twin brother, Sebastian.

The Tech Theatre would like to welcome everyone to come out and see the performance in McArdle Theatre, Thursday – Saturday, March 22-24 & 29-31, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday Matinees, March 25 & April 1, 2:00 p.m.

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

Forty-Five Years of Jazz!

Published March 13, 2012

By College of Engineering

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.

Alums in KSO, Concert Choir or Little Theater

Published February 28, 2012

By College of Engineering

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 Nominated for Teaching Award

Published February 24, 2012

By College of Engineering

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’s Jazz Night at the Orpheum

Published February 20, 2012

By College of Engineering

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.