News
Announcing the Moores School of Music Wind Ensemble's CD Release
The Moores School of Music proudly announces the release of our Wind Ensemble's “Wind Band Classics” CD on the Naxos label. The CD features the Wind Ensemble, under the direction of David Bertman, and the University of Houston Saxophone Quartet. Featured works include Nicolas Flagello’s Symphony No. 2 “Symphony of the Winds” and Arnold Rosner’s Symphony No. 8 “Trinity”.
Our Wind Ensemble has become recognized as one of the foremost university ensembles in the United States today. The Ensemble is dedicated to exploring the full breadth of the wind ensemble literature, from the canonic wind repertoire to the exciting new and unexplored works.
David Bertman is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands, the Conductor of the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting. He is co-author of a comprehensive program in band musicianship published by the Hal Leonard Corporation. He has received numerous awards for his distinguished contributions to the University community, and is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu.
The University of Houston Saxophone Quartet features Robert Eason, soprano saxophone; Lee Redfearn III, alto saxophone; Justin Neumann, tenor saxophone; and Brian Ngo (Valse Noire), and Elizabeth Ambs (Concerto Simfonico), baritone saxophone. This group, also known at the Blue Static Saxophone Quartet, won the Silver Medal at the Fischoff Competition, one of the "largest chamber music competitions in the nation and the world" in 2011.
For more information, contact Carol Risinger at 713-743-3175 (crisinger@uh.edu) or visit the Naxos web site at
http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.573060
CONCERT CHORALE wins First Prize at the 13th annual Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition
The Concert Chorale, under the direction of Betsy Cook Weber, won First Prize, and a Special Prize for the best interpretation of a religious choral work, at the 13th annual International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, Germany, on May 17 - 22, 2013. The Concert Chorale was one of only 10 international choirs selected for this exclusive competition. Since its inception, the event has showcased more than 160 choirs from 36 countries in concerts and competitions. For more details, visit website.
UH Moores Concert Chorale Takes Top Prize in German Competition by Mike Emery
Moores School Symphony Orchestra with the Houston Symphony Chorus
Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27, 2013, 7:30 pm
Grace Presbyterian Church
The Moores School Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Franz Anton Krager, will be performing the Bruckner's Symphonic Prelude and Mass No. 3 in F Minor, "Great" with the Houston Symphony Chorus (Charles Hausmann, choral preparation) featuring soloists including soprano Cynthia Clayton, mezzo-soprano Melanie Sonnenberg, tenor Joseph Evans, and bass-baritone Timothy Jones on April 26 and 27 at 7:30 pm at Grace Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lee Lane in Houston. For tickets/information: 713-743-3313 or www.music.uh.edu.
Young Receives 2013 New Professional Advising Award
Carrie Young has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the New Professional Advising Award. The University Advising Award Committee selects one undergraduate advisor (campus-wide) per year. The purpose of the award, sponsored by the UH Provost’s Office, is to recognize staff who have demonstrated outstanding performance in advising undergraduate students early in their professional careers.
The "Spirit of Houston" Cougar Marching Band to Collaborate with UH Mitchell Center on En Masse
The "Spirit of Houston" Cougar Marching Band, under the direction of Troy Bennefield, will collaborate with UH Mitchell Center Artist in Residence Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) in a participatory, large scale, outdoor performance event with newly commissioned music directed by Marc Bamuthi Joseph
on April 20 from 4 – 8 pm at Discovery Green. This project is made
possible in part through the City’s Initiative Grant Program of the
Houston Arts Alliance.
The making of: https://vimeo.com/68789185
En Masse performance:https://vimeo.com/68859817
Moores Opera Center presents:
RIGOLETTO by Giuseppe Verdi
Friday, April 5, 2013, 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 7, 2013, 2 pm
Links:
Marching Orders by Nancy Zastudil, Art & Culture Magazine Houston
The Borgias would blush at what goes on in the decadent Renaissance court of the Duke of Mantua where one father’s curse and another’s vendetta result in a tragic storm of violence. This classic opera seethes with Italian fire and is graced with memorable melodies. -- Sung in the original Italian with English translation projected surtitles. For tickets/information: 713-743-3313 or go online
Click here.
For more information, see link below:
The Curse Continues: Moores Opera Center Delivering "Rigoletto" by Mike Emery
Soprano Ashly Newmann Taking Final Dow on UH Opera Stage by Mike Emery
UH's Moores Opera Center Tackles "Lust,Love, and a Fateful Curse" in Rigoletto by Margaret Downing, Houston Press
Orchestrating New Talent by Steven Brown, Houston Chronicle, Zest
Neumann, Eason, and Broberg Win Awards at the 29th Annual Texas Artist Music Competition
Ashly Newmann (studio of Melanie Sonnenberg) won the Gold Medal in the Vocal Division and the Audience Choice Award, Robert Eason (BME ‘11 from the studio of Dan Gelok) won the Gold Medal in the Wind, Brass Percussion, Harp & Guitar Division, and Kenneth Broberg (studio of Nancy Weems) received the Silver Medal in the Piano Division at the 29th Annual Young Texas Artist Music Competition held at the Crighton Theatre in Conroe, TX on March 9. The competition's mission is to encourage excellence in young musicians and to further artistic growth throughout Texas. For more information: Click here.
Ballet Orchestra with the Houston Ballet II
Friday, April 12, 2013, 7:30 pm
Moores School of Music, Moores Opera House
The Moores School of Music Ballet Orchestra, under the direction of Franz Anton Krager, will perform with Houston Ballet II (Stanton Welch, artistic director) performing works by Britten and Delibes on April 12 at 7:30 pm in the Moores Opera House. For tickets/information: 713-743-3313 or www.music.uh.edu.
AURA Contemporary Ensemble presents:
COMBUSTIBLE
Monday, April 15, 2013, 7:30 pm
Moores School of Music, Moores Opera House
For tickets/information: 713-743-3313 or www.music.uh.edu.
COMBUSTIBLE features Michael Gordon’s electrifying “AC/DC”, Canadian composer Jeffrey Ryan’s scorching “Burn” and Astor Piazolla’s sizzling “Le Grand Tango”. Additional heat will be generated through Carl Vine’s “Five Bagatelles”, the world premiere of a flute/piano work by Alex Winkler, and the “rough and smooth breathing” evoked in Elliott Carter’s “Esprit Rude/Esprit Doux II”.
Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble Concert
Bill Evans, saxophone
Tuesday, April 16, 7:30 pm
Moores School of Music, Moores Opera House
The Vacek Jazz Artist Residency
program brings leading performers and educators to the Moores School of
Music for an intensive period of training and performance. Funded by a
generous commitment from UH alumnus Jeff Vacek. This spring, we present saxophonist Bill Evans in concert with our Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble performing music by Bill Evans on April 16 at 7:30 pm in the Moores Opera House. For tickets/information: 713-743-3313 or www.music.uh.edu.
15th Annual Jazz Festival (February 22 – 23, 2013) TMF Jazz Project / Lew Soloff with our Jazz Orchestra, Moores Opera House
The 15th Annual Jazz Festival (February 22 & 22, 2013) features
the Texas Music Festival Jazz Project on Friday, February 22 at 7:30 pm
in the Moores Opera House. On Saturday, February 23 at 7:30 pm in the
Moores Opera House, we present guest trumpeter Lew Soloff with our
Moores School Jazz Orchestra. For tickets/information: 713-743-3313 or
visit www.music.uh.edu
For more information: Trumpet Player Lew Soloff Headlining UH Moores Jazz Fest by Mike Emery
http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2013/january/0131JazzFest.php
Student Composers Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera Community Outreach (HGOCo) to Compose Country Tunes for Houston Rodeo Events
Houston Grand Opera Community Outreach (HGOCo) recently commissioned western-themed compositions from four UH students including DMA student Mark Buller (studio of Marcus Maroney), and Masters students Desmond Ikegwuonu, Samuel Hunter, and Daniel Webbon (all from the studio of Rob Smith) as a tribute to the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show. The lyrics are based on texts from authors Andrea White and Kelly Finn. The first performance will be at the Moores Opera House on Tuesday, February 12 at 1 pm.
From L to R: Mark Buller, Desmond Ikegwuonu,
Samuel Hunter and Daniel Webbon.
--Image by the Houston Chronicle
The Songs:
- Rodeo Song – Desmond Ikegwuonu
Desmond Ikegwuonu & Andrea White
A celebration of the rodeo and everything it represents - Blessed – Mark Buller
Mark Buller & Andrea White
A true story about a rodeo participant who finds out that his doctor is someone whose education he supported through rodeo scholarships - Trail Ride – Samuel Hunter
Samuel Hunter & Bill White
A celebration of the annual trail ride and the life of a cowboy - Say Goodbye – Daniel Webbon
Daniel Webbon & Bill White
The story of a 4H girl and the boy who is attracted to her because of her dedication towards raising a steer for the rodeo
For more information, see the links below:
UH Students Creating Country Tunes for Houston Rodeo Events by Mike Emery
http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2013/february/0207RodeoSongs.php
ABC News
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151221186661503
ABC News Session (longer video)
https://www.facebook.com/events/419054031514634/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Katy News:
http://newsle.com/article/0/59330593/
Original tunes created for rodeo by Jessica Portillo, Daily Cougar
AURA Contemporary Ensemble presents:
SET IN STONE
Monday February 18, 2013, 7:30pm
Moores School of Music, Moores Opera House
For tickets/information: 713-743-3313 or www.music.uh.edu
WATCH OUR PROMO VIDEO: http://youtu.be/KK5XqQwtfnY
with special guests:
Daniel Saenz, cello
Brian Herrington, composer
Set in Stone features David Dzubay’s KUKULKAN II, which imagines exotic rituals that took place at the Mayan temple of the same name, and the world premieres of Brian Herrington's A CIRCLE OF STONE and Desmond Ikegwuonu's N'IME OKWUTE (INSIDE A STONE). Also on the program are Anna Weesner’s LIGHT & STONE, which evokes the sense of light gathering deep in the center of rock, Paul Stanhope's beautiful harp solo THE ARCH WINDOW, and Eric Stokes’ ROCK & ROLL, which is performed with river stones and gravel.
Moores School of Music Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble to perform at the 66th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago on December 19, 2012
The Moores School of Music proudly announces our Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble in a program entitled Transcriptions-in-Reverse under the direction of Franz Anton Krager and David Bertman. Featured in this concert will be nationally and internationally known guest conductors, Lowell Graham, James Keene, Richard Crain, John Whitwell, (Houston only), Richard Floyd (Chicago only). The performance will feature works written for Symphony Orchestra transcribed and being performed by the Wind Ensemble and vice versa, including Brahms, Vaughan Williams, Bernstein, and more.
The preview concert will be performed on December 7th at 7:30 pm in the Moores Opera House. The Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble performance at The Midwest Clinic: An International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, IL will take place on December 19, 2012.
For more information: http://www.uh.edu/newsevents/stories/2012/november/1220Transcriptions.php
Broberg wins Bronze Medal at the Widerman International Piano Competition
Kenneth Broberg, sophomore piano performance major from the studio of Nancy Weems, received the Bronze Medal at the Wideman International Piano Competition at Centenary College’s Hurley School of Music in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 1-2, 2012. Forty-six competitors from around the world were chosen to participate in the first round of this prestigious annual event. Three winners were selected from the seven chosen for the finals.
The Nena Wideman Piano Competition, which began in 1950, seeks outstanding pianists from throughout the United States and foreign countries with nationally and internationally known pianists and conductors who are chosen as judges.
Announcing the Moores Opera Center’s 2012-13 Season!
Daryl Robinson Wins First Prize and the Audience Prize at the American Guild of Organists' National Young Artist Competition in Organ Performance
Moores School of Music alum Daryl Robinson won first prize, along with the audience prize, at the American Guild of Organists’ National Young Artist Competition on July 1, 2012, at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville, Tennessee. The American Guild of Organists encourages young musicians' performance development through participation in their challenging competition.
Prizes include the Lilian Murtagh Memorial Prize cash award, career development and promotional assistance by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc., a performance during the 2014 National Convention, a CD recording on the Pro Organo label, as well as an additional cash award by Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company, Inc.
Mr. Robinson received his Bachelor of Music in Applied Music in 2011 where he studied with Robert Bates and Matthew Dirst.
Creative Pride Artist Profiles from the University of Houston with Mike Emery
http://blog.chron.com/creativepride/2012/07/organist-daryl-robinson-taking-talents-nationwide/
HyeHyun Sung, DMA
candidate from the studios of Robert Bates and Matthew Dirst, was in the seven semifinalists chosen out of 25 participants accepted into the competition.
For more information: http://www.ago2012.org/convention-details/competitions/national-young-artists-competition-in-organ-performance.html
Announcing Aaron Casey to perform as part of the HBO YoungArts Masterclass Series
Aaron Casey participated in the filming of the HBO "YoungArts Masterclass" series where he performed with vocal innovator Bobby McFerrin, American soprano Renée Fleming, and Grammy Award winning violinist Yo-Yo Ma. Casey is a sophomore tenor student from the studio of Joseph Evans.
For more information:
University of Houston student to appear on HBO – twice: Aaron Casey's great vocal adventure" by Joel Luks Culture Map Houston
Creative Pride Artist Profiles from the University of Houston with Mike Emery
http://blog.chron.com/creativepride/2012/05/uh’s-aaron-casey-set-to-appear-on-hbo’s-‘youngarts-masterclass’
Austin and Dirst invited to perform as part of Papal visit in Leon, Mexico
Associate Professor Matthew Dirst and Immanuel & Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival Director Alan Austin were invited to perform, as part of the baroque ensemble Camerata Ventapane, for Pope Benedict XVI, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, members of the Pope's retinue, and other dignitaries in Leon, Mexico on March 24, as part of the festivities for the Papal visit. The performance took place at the Forum Cultural of Guanajuato, and featured works by Vivaldi and Handel. Dirst and Austin were in Mexico to take part in the Festival de Musica Barrocco di San Miguel de Allende, where they gave two performances, as well as one in Mexico City at the Biblioteca Lerdo de Tejada, which was attended by the Israeli Ambassador to Mexico, the Minister of Finance, and the Israeli Cultural Attaché.
For more information:
Announcing II Postino Wins First Prize Award in Division IV of the National Opera Association's 2011 Opera Production Competition
The video from the production of II Postino was awarded First Prize in Division IV of the 2011 Opera Production Competition sponsored by the National Opera Association. The award will be presented at the National Convention Gala Banquet on January 7, 2012 in Memphis, TN.