To enrich the musical experience of our students and our audiences, faculty members create programs that bring together ensembles from the Department as well as artists, teachers and students from around the region and the country.
MULTIBAND POPS
Now in its 38th year, Multiband Pops is a fast-paced showcase event that includes performances by many of our ensembles, produced by Jeffrey Holmes. This annual event, which takes place around Homecoming in the fall, features the Minuteman Marching Band, and includes our jazz, wind, choral and percussion ensembles, orchestra, as well as studio ensembles such as the Saxophone Quartet, Horn Ensemble and Trumpet Ensemble. The University Dancers, an ensemble of advanced dance majors, performs at Multiband Pops, and the event has expanded to include Chamber Choir as well. It attracts a sell-out audience each year that includes students, parents, faculty, administrators, alumni, community members and families from around New England and the United States. This year: Friday, October 26, 2012.
UMASS AMHERST POPS GALA
No Pops Gala is scheduled for Spring 2013. A major event in celebration of the Department's 75th Anniversary will take place in Spring 2014.
MassACDA/UMASS HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGIATE CHORAL FESTIVAL
This event, formerly known as Choral Spectrum, takes place on the last Saturday in October, under the direction of Tony Thornton. Top singers, selected by their teachers, participate in workshops and rehearsals, culminating in a concert in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. High School teachers attend professional development activities, workshops and reading sessions led by UMass Amherst choral faculty. The festival attracts students from CT, MA, NH, ME and VT; UMass Amherst choral ensembles also participate. Campus ensembles often include the Chamber Choir, Chorale, Madrigal Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Women's Choir and Men's Choir. This year: Saturday, October 27, 2012.
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DOUBLE REED DAY
The first Double Reed Day, hosted by Oboe Professor Fredric T. Cohen and Bassoon Professor Stephen Walt, is a gathering for high school and college oboe and bassoon players, teachers, and adults. The Day features guest artist performances, reed workshops with master reedmakers, opportunities to try new instruments, and a Double Reed Band jam at the end of the day.
HIGH SCHOOL BAND DAY
High School Band Day, led by Timothy T. Anderson, is an annual event where over 3,000 high school band students rehearse and perform at a massed half-time show at a UMass Amherst football game, experiencing life as a UMass Marching Band member. With the switch of football games to Gillette Stadium, the Fall 2012 event will be in Foxboro, Massachusetts. This year: Saturday, November 17, 2012. See the Marching Band website or email tanderson@music.umass.edu
HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ FESTIVAL
The Festival, now in its 14th year, takes place in the Spring semester, coordinated by Jeffrey W. Holmes. Jazz ensembles from around New England participate in non-competitive performances; clinics and masterclasses with UMass faculty, outside music educators and a guest artist (courtesy of the Fine Arts Center). One high school ensemble is chosen to open for the evening performance by the guest artist, whose concert is part of the Fine Arts Center's jazz series. Outstanding performance citations and scholarships for the UMass Jazz In July Summer Workshops are awarded to individual students.This year: Saturday, April 6, 2013. Email Jeffrey W. Holmes for more info.
HONOR BAND FESTIVAL
High School Honor Band, presented annually for 27 years on a Saturday in February, is directed by James Patrick Miller. It provides hundreds of New England's finest wind and percussion students the opportunity to perform wind band literature of the highest caliber-making music and learning with Miller, Timothy T. Anderson, other Department faculty, and a special guest conductor of national renown. Students begin the intense day with a placement audition at 8am, are divided into two or three concert bands, sight-read the repertoire, rehearse and perform a concert of that music at 7pm in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. This year: Saturday, February 9, 2013. See the UMass Bands website.
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ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND SAXOPHONE SYMPOSIUM
This gathering of saxophonists at UMass Amherst has taken place in April for the past 30 years. Coordinated by Professor Lynn Klock, its goal is to expose saxophonists and saxophone enthusiasts of all ages and levels of proficiency - elementary school through graduate school and beyond, as well as active professionals - to internationally renowned classical and jazz saxophonists. Attendees from the Pioneer Valley, New York, New Jersey and all six New England states ask the experts questions at an open forum and attend recitals by guest artists, saxophone quartets, and Professor Lynn Klock. This year: Saturday, April 20, 2013. Link to the Saxophone Studio website or email Professor Klock
STRING DAY
Conceived by the String Faculty in 2005, String Day has become an annual event involving faculty, students, players of all ages, parents and teachers. Under the direction of Kathryn Lockwood, it enables pre-college string students to experience music at the college level, and for college students to teach younger players. Activities may include a faculty concert, masterclass, mini-lecture, sight reading, an informal orchestra rehearsal and a mini-concert. This year: Sunday, March 3, 2013. Link to String Day webpage.
TRUMPET DAY
Trumpet Day is geared to high school and college students, educators and parents. First presented in October 2011, it included concerts, clinics, and exhibits, and featured performances by Professors Eric Berlin and Jeffrey W. Holmes, the UMass Trumpet studio, and guest soloist/educator Vince DiMartino. See www.umasstrumpets.org.
VOICE OPEN HOUSE AND AUDITION SEMINAR
This event gives pre-college students, their parents and teachers an opportunity to experience what the Voice Area has to offer and focuses on the audition process. A panel discussion includes Audition Repertoire, What to Expect at an Audition, and Audition Etiquette, Dress & Preparation, and leaves ample time for questions. At a masterclass for singers who have been through a screening process, high school students work with the Voice Faculty in a mock audition setting. Current students perform a concert of art songs, chamber music, and operatic arias and scenes, and answer questions from prospective students. There is no charge. This year: Saturday, October 13, 2012. For more info, email William Hite. top of page |
