10/03/13 jgm
Brad Dawson, assistant professor of music and theatre, and Tom Meagher, Wilson Elementary School principal, will open Fort Hays State University's Department of Music and Theater Faculty Showcase beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

Dawson and Meagher, on trumpet and piano, will play "Centennial Horizon" by Kevin McKee.

Commissioned by Albany trumpeter Catherine Sheridan, "Centennial Horizon" is "two contrasting movements, 'Aspen Grove' and 'Roaring Gunnison,' connected by an interlude, 'Alpenglow,'" says McKee on his website. "It is an attempt to capture some of the beauty and adventure of Colorado, the 'Centennial State,' said McKee.

"Warning! Gustnadoes Ahead" by Derek Charke will feature electronic sounds plus flute sounds that have been manipulated to portray things such as "sudden swirling figures" and explosions, Charke explains on his website.

"Quando Men Vo" from La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini will feature assistant professor of music and theatre Dr. Ivalah Allen singing soprano and staff accompanist Pam McGowne on piano.

"'Quando Men Vo' is one of the most recognizable soprano arias in the opera world," said Ben Cline, chair of the Department of Music and Theatre. "Here Musetta is trying to make her lover, Marcello, jealous by flirting with all the other men in a cafe."

"Concerto in E-flat Major, Op. 36," for the clarinet, by Franz Krommer features Dr. Kristin Pisano, associate professor of music and theatre, accompanied by pianist Dr. Irena Ravitskaya, assistant professor of music and theatre.

"Of Flowers and Thorns" by Daniel Baldwin will feature Susan Bowles, mezzo-soprano, and instructor of music and theater Kay Werth, bassoon, and Ravitskaya, piano. Bowles is a friend and former student of Werth.

Presented in seven movements and based on the poetry of Josh Pierce, "Of Flowers and Thorns" is a tale about humanity, a person's affinity for the beauty of nature, and the human tendency to repeat mistakes. Bowles, Werth and Ravitskaya will play three of the movements: "The Woman," "The Flower" and "The Thorn."

"Impromptu in E-flat Major, Op. 90, No. 2" by Franz Schubert will feature Ravitskaya on piano.

Cline said, "the impromptu," an improvisation as if prompted by the spirit of the moment, was one of the most popular genres for instrumental music throughout the 19th century.

Schubert, said Cline, composed two sets of four "Impromptus," character pieces that portray themes and emotions from early 19-century romantic poetry

"I've Got Rhythm" arranged for a piano duet by George Gershwin will feature Ravitskaya and McGowne.

Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, tenor, will sing "Una Furtiva Lagrima" from L'Elisir d'Amore by Gaetano Donizetti. Perniciaro is an associate professor of music and theatre. Dr. Judith Ofcarcik, assistant professor of music and theatre, will accompany on the organ.

"Lagrima" tells the story of Nemorino, who is in love with a wealthy girl. She tells him she isn't interested in poor boys like him. Desperate, he buys a love potion that turns out to be only cheap red wine. Nemorino believes the elixir will work, and when he sees her cry, he believes she loves him, too.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for senior citizens. Children under 18 and FHSU students with ID are free. They can be picked up at the box office in Beach/Schmidt the night of the performance.