03/29/12 jb

HAYS, Kan. -- April music from Fort Hays State University begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 6, with opera.

Two short operas, "Bastien and Bastienna" by Mozart and "The Wandering Scholar" by Gustav Holst, will be performed Friday and Saturday, April 7. Performances are in Felten-Start Theatre in Malloy Hall.

"This is a fun romp through medieval times and the stories of two relationships where fidelity is tested with two different results," said Dr. Joseph Perniciaro (pronounced pear-nih-CHAIR-oh), assistant professor of music and theatre.

Bastienna, a shepherdess, is played by Eriana Holle, Hays senior, and Bastien, her sweetheart, is Luke Fairbank, Hays junior. Colas, a would-be magician, is Max Haverfield, Hays freshman.

In "The Wandering Scholar," Louis, a farmer, is played by Steven Cornwell, Bison senior; Alison, his wife, is Alexandra Hutchison, Monument, Colo., senior; Father Philippe is Calder Craig, Russell senior; and Pierre, the wandering scholar, is Karl Pratt, Hoxie senior.

"Both operas are in English," said Perniciaro. "They were chosen to highlight our wonderful singing actors in the Department of Music and Theatre."

Ticketsare $7 for FHSU students, high school students and senior citizens, and $10 for the public.

The next concert, "Love Is in the Air" features the Smoky Hill Chorale, composed of singers from the Ellis County community and FHSU students, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at the North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak Street, just north of Felten Middle School. Admission is free but free-will donations will be accepted at the door.

"The showfeatures many show tunes and love songs," said Dr. Terry Crull, assistant professor of music and theatre.

The Jazz I and Jazz II bands will perform in the Spring Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April12, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall. The more than 40 students involved the jazz bands will perform songs from Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Pat Metheny and Radio Head.

Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students 12 and under, and free for FHSU students with valid student ID.

A faculty recital by Lane Weaver, trombonist and instructor of music and theatre, will be at 7:30p.m. Friday, April 13, in Palmer Hall, Malloy Hall, room 115. Weaver will perform "Deux Danses" by Jean-Michel Defaye; Gordon Jacob's "Trombone Concerto"; "Fantasy for Trombone" by Malcome Arnold; "Intermezzo, Op.118, No. 2" by Johannes Brahms; and "Aria et Polonaise" by Joseph Jongen. Weaverwill be accompanied by Dr. Irena Ravitskaya, assistant professor of music and theatre.

"My recital isnot only a chance to share music that I enjoy playing but it also keeps me sharp and relevant as a performing musician, which ultimately helps me be a better teacher," said Weaver.

Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students 12 and under, and free for FHSU students with valid student ID.

The Small Ensembles Concert, at 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 16, in Beach/Schmidt, will feature the FHSU Women's Chorale, directed by Crull; the High Plains Double Reeds Consort, directed by Kay Werth, instructor of music and theatre; the FHSU Bassoon Quartet, directed by Werth; the FHSU Flute Trio, directed by Hilary Shepard, instructor of music and theatre; the FHSU Clarinet Choir, directed by Dr. Kristin Pisano, associate professor of music and theatre; the FHSU Woodwind Quintet, directed by Pisano; and the FHSU Brass Choir, directed by Weaver.

"The Brass Choir will premier a piece by 2011 FHSU alum Nathan Brown titled 'Suite for the Brass Choir,'" said Weaver.

Ticketsare $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students 12 and under, and free for FHSU students with valid student ID.

The Italian Saxophone Quartet will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, in Beach/Schmidt as part of the Encore Series. The quartet, formed in 1982, has won several chamber music competitions and have performed more than a thousand concerts in the United States, Italy, Japan, Greece, Germany, France, Russia, Lebanon and Sweden. They have also recorded three CDs and are frequently broadcast on radio.

Reserved seating tickets are $30 for the public, $28 for senior citizens and children under the age of 18 and $21 for FHSU students with valid student ID. Unreserved seatingis $26, $24 and $17, respectively. Contact the Memorial Union office at 785-628-5308 to purchase tickets.

April ends with the Hays Symphony Orchestra's Master Works Concert at 4:30 p.m.Sunday, April 29, in Beach/Schmidt. Guest conductor Don Moses, FHSU alumnus, will conduct the orchestra and the FHSU Choir as they perform Joseph Haydn's "The Creation."

Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students 12 and under, and free for FHSU students with valid student ID.

For more informationabout any of the events, contact the Department of Music and Theatre at 785-628-4533.