March/April Events

Students are anxiously awaiting the start of spring break! But once they return, we have a full schedule of performances to finish out the spring semester.

Some of the highlights:

-March 26, Joy of Singing - 7:30p Lied Center 

-March 27 & March 29 Borromeo String Quartet - 7:30p Swarthout Recital Hall

-April 2, KU Wind Ensemble - 7:30p Lied Center

     Midwest premiere of "In the Shadow of No Towers" - a work commissioned for the KU Wind 

     Ensemble and premiered at Carnegie Hall

-April 9, KU Choirs: University SIngers & Oread Consort - 7:30p Swarthout Recital Hall

-April 11, KU Saxophone Quartets - 7:30p Swarthout Recital Hall

-April 12, KU Choirs: Men's Glee & Women's Chorale - 7:30p Swarthout Recital Hall

-April 14, Faculty Virtuosi Series Recital - 7:30p Swarthout Recital Hall

-April 15, Faculty Recital Series featuring Ed Laut, cello - 7:30p Swarthout Recital Hall

-April 19, 21, 25, 27, La Boheme by Giacomo Pucini - 7:30p Crafton-Preyer Theatre (2:30p on 4/21)

     In cooperation with the KU School of Music, KU Opera & University Theatre

-April 25, University Band & Jazz Ensembles II & III - 7:30p Lied Center

-April 29, Jazz Combos I-VI - 7:30p Lawrence Arts Center

For more information about these events, or the learn about other upcoming events, visit: 

http://music.ku.edu/events/

KU Wind Ensemble's new CD

KU Wind Ensemble releases fourth CD, Landscapes

The KU Wind Ensemble, conducted by Paul W. Popiel, director of bands, recently released Landscapes, the ensemble’s fourth CD on the Naxos label.

Landscapes is a journey through the rich tapestry of American wind band music, featuring the works of Michael Torke, Frank Ticheli and Aaron Copland.

The CD features the following KU School of Music faculty members: Ji Hye Jung, assistant professor of percussion, marimba; Steve Leisring, associate professor of trumpet; and Margaret Marco, associate professor of oboe, English horn.

"I am really thrilled to present this great repertoire to a wider audience through the Naxos Wind Band Classics series,” Popiel said. “I am truly humbled to continue the tradition of excellent bands at the University of Kansas and to share the Wind Ensemble's work around the world through this recording. It is a very exciting time for the KU School of Music."

The KU Wind Ensemble will record its fifth CD, In the Shadow of No Towers, later this month prior to the world premiere of this work at Carnegie Hall on March 26, 2013. The CD will be released in November 2013 on the Naxos label.

Landscapes is currently available from various outlets and also on iTunes. 

KU School of Music Holiday Concerts-Save These Dates!

Ring in the holidays with the KU School of Music at a variety of concerts offered in Lawrence. You won't want to miss out on these performances! 

KU School of Music Horn Ensemble Holiday Concert 
Saturday, December 01, 2012
5:00pm Swarthout Recital Hall, Murphy Hall-Admission Free

KU School of Music presents Pre-Vespers Concerts

Sunday, December 02, 2012
1:30pm & 6:30pm
Bales Organ Recital Hall-Admission Free

Featuring the KU Brass Quintet: Mason Tyler, trumpet; Stephen Preisner, trumpet; Breanna Ellison, French horn; Andy Newbegin, trombone; Jon Heaver, tuba; Stephen Dagrosa, Jr., baritone; and Dina Pannabecker Evans, organ. The Pre-Vespers organ and brass concerts will feature works including “Hodie Christus Natus Est” by Giovanni Gabrieli; ”Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” arranged by Sterling Proctor; “Toccata on ‘Veni Emmanuel’” by Andrew Carter; “The Trumpet Shall Sound” from Messiah by G. F. Handel; and “Hallelujah” Chorus from Messiah by Handel.









KU School of Music presents the 88th Annual Holiday Vespers, featuring KU Choirs and Symphony Orchestra
December 02, 2012
2:30pm & 7:30pm
Lied Center of Kansas
$12.50/gen admission & $10/students and seniors
Tickets to the 7:30pm performance FREE for KU students with valid ID!
Call 785-864-2787 for ticket information


This year’s 88th annual Holiday Vespers program will feature the KU Choirs and Symphony Orchestra performing holiday works including “Magnificat animae meam” from Magnificat by Bach; “Noel” from Symphonic Sketches by George Whitefield Chadwick; “Harambee (Call to Unity)” by Joseph Jennings; “What Sweeter Music” by John Rutter; “Never a Brighter Star” by Dan Forrest; “O Holy Night” by Adolphe Charles Adam, as well as audience sing-alongs and additional works. The orchestra will be conducted by David Neely, Director of Orchestral Activities, and student conductor Carlos Espinosa; and the Choirs by Paul Tucker, Director of Choral Activities, and Mariana Farah, Associate Director of Choral Activities.





KU School of Music presents Jazz Vespers 
Thursday, December 06, 2012
7:30pm Lied Center of Kansas
$7/gen admission & $5/students and seniors
Call 785-864-2787 for ticket information

This year’s concert will feature the KU Jazz Ensemble I and Jazz Ensemble II, both directed by Dan Gailey, KU Director of Jazz Studies; the KU Jazz Singers, directed by David von Kampen; and the KU Jazz Combo I, directed by Matt Otto. Also featured will be Chuck Berg, saxophone and master of ceremonies; Professor Vince Gnojek, saxophone; Professor John Stephens, voice; and KU School of Music Dean Robert Walzel, clarinet and saxophone. The program will include performances of various holiday favorites, including What Child Is This?; Sleigh Ride; O Come, O Come Emmanuel; Four Santas; Bach’s Aria; Jingle Bells; Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers; and more. 

Love Leonard Bernstein? Then you won't want to miss the KU School of Music's Bernstein "Triptych" this fall!

“Leonard Bernstein is one of the iconic musical personalities of the 20th Century,” said Robert Walzel, Dean of the KU School of Music. “Continuing his legacy of diverse musical creations is important for our students and our musical community.”

The KU School of Music will present “A Bernstein Triptych” this fall, featuring the works of famed composer Leonard Bernstein.


“A Bernstein Triptych” will begin with the KU Wind Ensemble performing on November 2, 2012, 7:30pm, at Johnson County Community College’s Yardley Hall, where the ensemble will perform the symphonic suite from Bernstein’s film score to On the Waterfront. Also on the program will be Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and the world premiere of Joni Greene’s “Event Horizon.” KU faculty member Steven Spooner will perform as piano soloist. This event is free, but tickets are required. Contact the Johnson County Community College Yardley Hall Box Office at 913-469-4445 for ticket information. JCCC’s Yardley Hall: 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS, 66210.

On November 13, 2012, the KU Symphony Orchestra and Choirs will travel to Kansas City for the third annual KU School of Music Scholarship Concert at 7:00pm at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The all-Bernstein program will include “Overture to Candide,” “Chichester Psalms,” “Three Meditations from Mass” (featuring KU Professor Ed Laut on cello) and “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.” The annual Scholarship Concert highlights the need for supporting music scholarships at KU while also honoring scholarship donors. This event is free, and seats have been filled. Contact the Kauffman Box Office at 816-994-7200 for ticket information. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, MO, 64106.

Both the November 2 and November 13 performances are sponsored by Reach Out Kansas, Inc., and the Law Offices of Smithyman & Zakoura, Overland Park, Kansas.

To conclude the Bernstein celebration, KU Opera will present performances of the composer’s one-act opera Trouble in Tahiti and song cycle Arias and Barcarolles on November 16-19, 7:30pm (2:30pm on November 18), in the Robert Baustian Theatre/Murphy Hall (on the KU campus). Tickets are $10/general admission and $5/students and seniors and are available by calling 785-864-3436.

Join us for these exciting events!

Featured School of Music student group: Sigma Alpha Iota

The fantastic students in Sigma Alpha Iota have graciously accepted the invitation to be the blog's first featured School of Music student group. We salute these KU student music ambassadors for their love of music and ongoing service to our community!

University of Kansas
Sigma Alpha Iota Beta Beta Chapter, 2012-13

Sigma Alpha Iota’s Beta Beta chapter has been a part of the University of Kansas since November 1947. This group is part of a greater national organization that began in 1903 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) is a musical fraternity for women, founded with the intent of empowering and connecting women who share a love of music and a desire to further music involvement in the community through service and performance. 

The ladies of Beta Beta chapter meet once a week and discuss ways to serve the national standards of SAI, the Lawrence community, and the individuals of Murphy Hall on the Lawrence campus. Some activities include (but are not limited to): instrument petting zoos, canned food drives, projects with elementary schools and local music programs, performances at nursing homes, sponsorship of social events, providing food for recital receptions, and selling pancakes on the first floor of Murphy every Wednesday morning. In fact, the SAI students will hold an Instrument Petting Zoo at the 2012 KU Symphony Orchestra Halloween Concert and Costume Contest on Friday, Oct. 26 at the Lied Center!


Becoming involved with SAI is a wonderful opportunity to make lifelong friends, receive scholarships, and prepare for your career through support and leadership opportunities. Please come join us and see what we are all about! For more information on SAI, please contact Katie at katiekyzer@gmail.com. Find out more at 
http://www.sai-national.org/home/.

KU School of Music--Upcoming Events

Do you hear that? That's the sound of our heads spinning! We have so many events happening right now...so many wonderful, exciting musical events! 

Don't forget to come out and enjoy these concerts. Many are free and the ticketed events are extremely affordable. 

For a complete list of all KU School of Music events, visit our website events calendar at MUSIC.KU.EDU. We can't wait to see you!

Wind Ensemble: Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 7:30 PM, Lied Center of Kansas

The Wind Ensemble will perform works by two Pulitizer Prize winners as well as the Kansas premiere of KU Professor James Barnes' "Seventh Symphony." Tickets are $7 and $5. 

Visiting Artist Series/Double Reed Festival Concert featuring Nancy Ambrose King, oboe and Martin Kuuskmann, bassoon
Saturday, October 13, 2012, 7:30 PM, Swarthout Recital Hall
Take advantage of this opportunity to hear visiting artists King and Kuuskmann perform together on the stage! This concert serves as the culminating concert/event for the 2012 Double Reed Society Festival. It is free and open to the public!

Faculty Recital Series featuring Julia Broxholm, soprano, and guest artist Russell Miller, piano. Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 7:30 PM, Swarthout Recital Hall. 
Professor Broxholm and Miller will perform a program of American song, both popular and musical theater. This concert will also serve as a renovation benefit concert for the School of Music's performance hall, Swarthout Recital Hall. Donations welcome!

Symphonic Band and Chamber Winds: Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 7:30 PM, Lied Center of Kansas

This fall concert will feature the Chamber Winds performing Darius Milhaud's jazzy "La Creation du Monde" and works by the Symphonic Band. Tickets are $7 and $5. 

Jazz Combos I-VI, Wednesday, October 24, 2012,
 7:00 PM, Lawrence Arts Center
The Jazz Combos I-VI will perform a combined concert at the downtown Lawrence Arts Center this evening. This concert is free and open to the public!

Symphony Orchestra Halloween Concert and Community Costume Contest: Friday, October 26, 2012, 7:30 PM, Lied Center
The KU Symphony Orchestra Halloween Concert will feature works by Strauss, Dvorak and John Williams, as well as faculty soloist Vince Gnojek on saxophone. Don't forget the community-wide costume contest at 6:30 PM! Tickets are $7 and $5. 

And here are some additional upcoming events--mark your calendars and visit us at MUSIC.KU.EDU for a complete list of all events, including all student recitals. 

Oct. 3^rd            (W)                 Faculty Recital Series/FRS: Michael Davidson, trombone

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 5^th            (F)                   Visiting Artist Series/VAS: Steve & Penny Kruse, violin & viola

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 11^th          (R)                   KU Brass Ensembles

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 13^th          (Sat)                Double Reed Festival Member Recital

                                                5:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 21^st           (Sun)               Instrumental Collegium Musicum

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 22^nd         (M)                  FRS: Mary Elizabeth Thompson, flute

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 23^rd          (T)                   KU Choirs

                                                7:30 PM Corpus Christi Catholic Church

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 27^th          (Sat)                Community Music School

                                                2:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 28^th          (Sun)               FRS Robert Walzel & Stephanie Zelnick, clarinet

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Oct. 29^th          (M)                  Undergraduate Honor Recital

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 1^st           (R)                   KU Jazz Ensemble I & Composer, George Stone

                                                7:30 PM Lawrence Arts Center

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 2^nd          (F)                   Wind Ensemble

                                                7:30 PM Johnson County Community College

                                                Yardley Hall

                                                Call 913-469-4445 for ticket information

Nov. 3^rd           (Sat)                Community Music School

                                                2:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 4^th           (Sun)               New Music Guild

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 7^th           (W)                 KU Trombone Ensembles

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 8^th           (R)                   KU Saxophone Quartets

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 12^th         (M)                  FRS Forrest Pierce, composition

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 13^th         (T)                   KU Symphony Orchestra & Choirs

                                                Bernstein Festival & Scholarship Concert

                                                7:00 PM Kauffman Center for the Arts

                                                Admission Free but tickets are required

                                                Call (816) 994-7222 for information

Nov. 14^th         (W)                 KU Jazz Ensemble III & Jazz Combo II

                                                7:30 PM 130 Murphy Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 15^th         (R)                   KU Tuba/Euphonium Consort

                                                Rodger Vaughan Memorial Concert

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 16^th         (F)                   KU Opera: Trouble in Tahiti & Arias & Barcarolles

                                                7:30 PM  Baustian Theatre

                                                Tickets: $10 and $5. Call 785-864-3436.

Nov. 17^th         (Sat)                KU Opera: Trouble in Tahiti & Arias & Barcarolles

                                                7:30 PM  Baustian Theatre

                                                Tickets: $10 and $5. Call 785-864-3436.

Nov. 18^th         (Sun)               KU Opera: Trouble in Tahiti & Arias & Barcarolles

                                                2:30 PM  Baustian Theatre

                                               Tickets: $10 and $5. Call 785-864-3436.

Nov. 18^th         (Sun)               Faculty Virtuosi Series

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 19^th         (M)                  KU Opera: Trouble in Tahiti & Arias & Barcarolles

                                               7:30 PM  Baustian Theatre

                                               Tickets: $10 and $5. Call 785-864-3436.

Nov. 19^th         (M)                  KU Jazz Singers & Jazz Combo I

                                                7:30 PM Lawrence Arts Center

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 27^th         (T)                   Symphonic Band & University Band

                                                7:30 PM Lied Center

                                                Call 785-864-2787 or go to lied.ku.edu for tickets

Nov. 28^th         (W)                 KU Trombone Choir

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

Nov. 30^th         (F)                   KU Percussion Ensemble

                                                7:30 PM Swarthout Recital Hall

                                                Admission Free

A MUSIC STUDENT'S LIFE

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a KU music student might be like? Well, wonder no more. Two current University of Kansas music students (both student ambassadors for the School of Music) share their daily experiences and their valuable advice for new and future music students!

Ann Wu: Though I would like to believe that I can be as satirical as composer and pianist Erik Satie in his prose piece The Musician’s Day (1913), my life is unfortunately not as artistic and my humor not as cynical. The most I can do is offer a couple bits and pieces I’ve picked up from my last four years in Murphy.

Like most others who "live" in Murphy Hall, I’ve fallen prey to ghost hours.  What are ghost hours? They are the hours I spend in class that aren’t reflected in my actual schedule.  For example, according to KU I’m enrolled in 13 hours. In reality there is no way seven classes can fit into 13 hours.  And thus, we have ghost hours.  There’s no way to avoid them, so we might as well embrace them...

With that said, the most important and most difficult part of being a music major is time management.  Staying on top of various ensemble rehearsals, classes, labs, chamber rehearsals, practice time, homework, work, private lessons, meetings, and clubs makes my central schedule my best friend.  The only way I remember to show up when I’m scheduled to and turn an assignment in on time is to use syllabus week as my “calendar week."   I take all my syllabi and enter all important dates and assignments into my iCal.  After that, I put in all of my classes, work hours, and ensemble rehearsals.  As much as I want to believe I can remember a set schedule week after week, I somehow manage to double book myself semester after semester.  My solution to that problem is to let my classes repeat on a weekly basis until the semester ends.  It's amazing how much easier it is to manage my time when I can see my week laid out in front of me!

After time management, the next thing I do to get ready for the semester might make professors cringe…BUT I truly believe it is a necessary step.  I run through my schedule and prioritize my classes and commitments.  Once I’ve done that, it’s much easier to decide where I should start when it comes to homework, and what I can let slide if there isn’t enough time.  I’ve found that doing this makes homework less overwhelming and easier to keep track of.

With everything going on in school, it’s easy to forget one essential: stay healthy.  This can be boiled down to two simple tasks: remember to eat and sleep.  It may feel like there’s not enough time, but the quality of work produced after a solid night’s sleep compared to a rough two-three hours is the difference between an A and a C.  As for food, there really is no excuse.  Our bodies won’t function without fuel and in today’s world of power bars and snack wraps, there’s no reason why we can’t have lunch in one hand while we’re analyzing a fugue with the other. Personally, I tend to go for a semi well-crafted sandwich, but to each his own. 

My last piece of advice is to have a social life. It’s easy to get overworked.  Everyone needs a break now and then.  If a break isn’t possible in the near future, then having friends to do homework with, vent to and pull all-nighters with is the next best thing. We all want to believe we can get through this by our own strength and will power, but sometimes admitting we need a shoulder or two to help us through is the best thing we can do for ourselves. 

-Ann Wu, musicology student from Overland Park, Kansas

Kal Dodson: Growing up, I was always someone who had an immense love for performing arts--in particular music. So when I decided to enroll in KU’s School of Music to pursue a music education degree, no one was surprised. But no amount of previous musical experience could have prepared me for the amazing program at KU.

Now that I am a junior, I know what to expect and how to prepare for the rewarding but busy lifestyle of a music student. However, before I entered the school I was like many outsiders--I did not know how strenuous of a degree path music education might be. During new student orientation I was in a group that was full of fellow music students. And when I enrolled in nine classes I thought this was normal because the rest of the music students were in enrolling in similar amount of classes. It wasn’t until school started that I realized most people only have 2-4 classes a day instead of the 5-6! 

Ask any music student where they are during the day and I bet money they say “Murphy." Us music students live, sleep, and breathe in Murphy Hall. Okay, maybe we do not sleep there, but we do form a bond in this school that I would say is very unique to other schools. As cheesy as it may sound, it’s like you form this little music family, and it's one of my favorite things about being a part of this school.

So how does someone really prepare for this life? What can we do the few weeks before classes start, and the few weeks into classes, to make the most out of being a music student at KU? There are some simple things you can do, like getting your books ahead of time, reviewing some music theory and practicing your instrument. But I think the biggest things that helped me prepare for a year in music were organization, taking advantage of peer resources, and having a positive attitude.

Since elementary school my teachers have been trying to force me to be organized, stressing the importance of having a planner, keeping multiple systems of folders, tallies and sticky notes. It wasn’t until I started college that I realized how important organization was. Every year before school starts I make sure I have an awesome planner, folders for all my classes, and color coordinated highlighters. The highlighters might be much, but I can’t express more how easily you can become unorganized. I am also the most forgetful person I know; between class, work, practicing music and Greek life, scheduling becomes crazy. My planner is my most treasured item.

Between my job as a School of Music ambassador and my classes, I am in Murphy Hall all day, and I’ve really learned to utilize my resources within the building. My peers are huge resources for me. Because of the tight-knit atmosphere that comes with being a music student, I almost instantly made friends within the School. We would frequently ask each other questions, whether it was about music theory or an upcoming concert. This was vital for my success. Also, I got a locker! Now I can store music equipment and my books. Carrying six classes worth of material all day is quite a pain, and a locker makes this so much easier.

Most importantly, I think keeping a positive attitude is the most crucial thing while preparing for a semester. Holding a position within the School of Music as a student ambassador, being involved in my Greek Chapter and handling my class load can make for very late and stressful nights. As long as I keep a positive attitude, I really appreciate what a great music program I am privileged to be a part of.  I know that dreaded music theory and music history overlap is a killer, but all my hard work is starting to pay off. 

So, if someone were to ask me how I prepare for a semester at The University of Kansas School of Music, I would tell them: I buy a sturdy planner and some awesome highlighters (I love highlighters) and a lot of cough drops. I check out a locker and scope out the library and my resources. But most importantly, I go into it excited! I try to keep a positive attitude throughout the good and bad times.  

-Kalli Dodson, music education and voice student from Olathe, Kansas