08/22/14

A cultural jewel in western Kansas, Fort Hays State University's Department of Music and Theatre promises a full schedule for its 2014-15 music season. Concerts and recitals include performances by the orchestra, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles and faculty members.

All concert times are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

The Hays Symphony Orchestra's inaugural "Pops" concert fundraiser will be on Saturday, Sept. 27, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall on the FHSU campus. This year is the first of the orchestra's second century.

Pieces include "Oblivion" by Piazzolla, "Symphony No. 8" by Dvorak, and selections from Broadway.

"Pops" will feature Brad Dawson, assistant professor of music and theatre, on trumpet; Dr. Ivalah Allen, assistant professor, singing soprano; Dr. Joseph Perniciaro, associate professor, singing tenor; and David Upham, orchestra conductor at the University of New Hampshire, Durham, as guest conductor.

Tuesday, Sept. 30, will see the guest artists of the Fuchs Trio at Beach/Schmidt. Members are Louanne Long, professor of piano at the University of Redlands, Redlands, Calif.; Long's brother, violinist Richard Fuchs, professor of violin in the School of Music, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colo.; and cellist James Fittz, professor of cello at the University of Northern Colorado.

The fall choral concert will be Friday, Oct. 17, in Beach/Schmidt. It will feature the Fort Hays Singers, the Wind Ensemble and the Concert Choir. The Fort Hays Singers is the top choral ensemble at FHSU.

"The concert has an international theme in honor of our new president, Dr. Mirta Martin, who was born in Havana, Cuba, and immigrated to the United States," said Dr. Terry Crull, associate professor of music and theatre. "Selections include a Spanish folk song and a Russian tune as well as German and Japanese songs."

The Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Jeff Jordan, associate professor, will also perform a Cuban overture and other international selections.

The orchestra's second concert, "Fall Classics," will be Saturday, Nov. 1. Benjamin Cline, chair of the department, will conduct.

Pieces include Telemann's "Oboe Concerto in D Minor," featuring instructor Kay Werth. Hilary Shepard, instructor, will play Vivaldi's "Flute Concerto 'Le Notte.'" Dr. Kristin Pisano, associate professor, will play Weber's "Concerto No. 2 for Clarinet," second and third movements. The orchestra will also perform "Symphony 40 in G Minor" by Mozart.

The fall jazz concert will be Thursday, Nov. 6, in Beach/Schmidt.

Monday, Nov. 10, will see the FHSU Wind and Brass Ensembles in Beach/Schmidt. One week later on Monday, Nov. 17, the FHSU choral and string ensembles will perform in Beach/Schmidt. Admission is free for both concerts.

The FHSU Bands will perform in concert on Friday, Dec. 5, in Beach/Schmidt.

This year's Cathedral Concert, "Carols and Lessons," will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at St. Fidelis Church in Victoria. "This concert will teach nine different lessons from the Bible about the birth of Christ," said Crull. Admission is free.

The orchestra will play for the opera at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, in the Felten-Start Theatre on the FHSU campus.

The FHSU concert choir will perform on Monday, March 10, in Beach/Schmidt.

The FHSU bands will perform in concert Wednesday, March 12, in Beach/Schmidt.

The spring jazz concert will be Wednesday, April 9, in Beach/Schmidt.

The Cottonwood Artist Series: The Juliet Letters will be Friday, April 11, in Palmer Hall.

The wind and brass ensembles will perform in concert on Sunday, April 20, in Beach/Schmidt. Admission is free.

The next day, Monday, April 21, the Smoky Hill Chorale will perform at the First Presbyterian Church, 2900 Hall, Hays.

The season finale Masterworks concert will be Saturday, May 2, in Beach/Schmidt. The orchestra and choirs will perform "Brahms Requiem."

In addition to the major events, several faculty recitals have been scheduled so far.

Dr. Judith Ofcarcik, assistant professor, will give a piano-lecture on Friday, Sept. 5, at the First Presbyterian Church. She will play selections from the "Goldberg Variations" by J.S. Bach and explain the piece.

Dawson will play trumpet on Thursday, Sept. 11, in Beach/Schmidt.

Ofcarcik will play the entirety of "Goldberg Variations" by Bach on piano at the First Presbyterian Church the next day, Friday, Sept. 12.

Matt Means, assistant professor of music and theatre, will play violin on Friday, Sept. 19, in Palmer Hall, located in Malloy Hall.

Perniciaro will sing tenor at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in Palmer Hall.

Unless otherwise noted, tickets for the public are $7, senior citizens are $5, and FHSU students with I.D. are free. Tickets can be purchased at the box office in Beach/Schmidt prior to the performances or by contacting the Department of Music and Theatre at FHSU at 785-628-453.