FSU’s Department of Music Presents Evening of Jazz Concert, “The Monster and the Flower – A Study in Latin Jazz”Frostburg State University’s Department of Music will present its Evening of Jazz Concert, “The Monster and the Flower – A Study in Latin Jazz,” featuring the FSU Jazz Orchestra, directed Dr. Brent Weber, on Friday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center.Performers are vocalist Mack Taylor; section leader Gabe Hicks, Hailey Beining, Gwen Fazenbaker, Vincent Hangarter, Luis Hernandez, Lucas Lusby and Andre Perras on reeds; section leader Patrick Godfrey, Martin (MJ) Harden and Stephen Hess on trumpets; section leader Alex Frye, Connor Curtis, Doug Holtz, Zach Inglish (bass) and Jerimiah Twigg on trombones; and rhythm section members Nick Mellen on guitar Taylor Bryan on piano, Brandon Little on bass, Daniel Hicks on drum set and Jacob Deaver on percussion.The program consists of “Mokopuni Magic” by Mark Taylor; “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” by Oscar Hammerstein and Sigmund Romberg, arranged by Dave Rivello; “Besame Mucho” by Consuelo Velasquez, arranged by Roger Ingrahm; “The Monster and the Flower” by Claudio Roditi and Ricard Silveira, arranged by Darmon Meader; “Coconut Champagne” by Denis DiBlasio, arranged by Bob Lowen; “Chu Cho” by Paquito D’Rivera, transposed by Miles Collins; “This I Dig of You” by Hank Mobley, arranged by Mike Tomaro; “La Fiesta” by Chick Corea, arranged by Michael Phillip Mossman; “Feeling Good” by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, arranged by Matt Amy; and “Tiger of San Pedro” by John LaBarbera.Reminiscent of the music Taylor wrote for the Stan Kenton Orchestra, the fiery showpiece “Mokopuni Magic” features a churning Afro-Cuban groove alternating with sections in swing.“Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” is a song from the 1928 operetta “The New Moon.” One of the best-known numbers from the show, it is a song of bitterness and yearning for a lost love.“Bésame Mucho” (“Kiss Me a Lot”) was written in 1941 by Velasquez, who was about 15 years old at the time, in bolero style. Inspired by the “Nightingale Aria” from the opera “Goyescas” by Enrique Granados, she said that she had never been kissed when she wrote the song.“The Monster and the Flower” is a song associated with multiple artists and arrangements. The original version was released in 1986 by Paquito D’Rivera Explosion.In a Latin/calypso style, the appealing chart “Coconut Champagne” features crisp ensemble writing and a drum solo. “Chu Cho” is a wonderful Latin number D’Rivera wrote for Mario Bauza and his Afro-Cuan Orchestra.“This I Dig of You” is from “Soul Station,” an album American jazz saxophonist Mobley recorded in 1960. It’s an up-tempo hard bop vehicle full of slash chords and a Latin pedal/swing head.Corea recorded “La Fiesta” on “Return to Forever,” a jazz fusion album, in 1972.“Feeling Good” (also known as “Feelin’ Good”) is a song written by Newley and Bricusse for the musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd.” It was first performed on stage in 1964.“Tiger of San Pedro” is a jazz song by LaBarbera, made popular by trombonist Bill Watrous. It was the title song of the Grammy-nominated Columbia recording “Tiger of San Pedro” by Watrous’ band, The Manhattan Wildlife Refuge.Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors, members of the military, and FSU faculty and staff; and free for students and children. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.frostburg.edu. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

FSU’s Department of Music Presents Dr. Mark Gallagher in Faculty Artist Series ConcertFrostburg State University’s Department of Music will present clarinetist Dr. Mark Gallagher in a Faculty Artist Series concert on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. He will be accompanied by pianist Dr. Jay DeWire. The concert is free and open to the public. This event will also be livestreamed; click the “Join Stream” button on this page a few minutes before the recital is scheduled to begin, or any time during the recital, to view the live performance.The program will consist of “Allegro,” “Adagio cantabile” and “Rondo, Allegretto non troppo” from “Sonata No. 3 in E-flat Major for Clarinet and Piano” by Francois Devienne; “Variations for Clarinet and Piano on a Theme From ‘Silvanna,’ Op. 33” by Carl Maria von Weber; “Sonatina for Solo Clarinet, Op. 27” by Miklos Rozsa; and “Allegro appassionato,” “Andante un poco Adagio,” “Allegretto grazioso” and “Vivace” from “Sonata No. 1 in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1” by Johannes Brahms.Although Devienne’s principal instruments were the flute and the bassoon, he became familiar with the clarinet early in his career. Fascinated by the romanticism of his time, Devienne saw ample opportunities for expression through the clarinet’s impressive spectrum of range and dynamic. His sonatas for the clarinet, originally titled “Sonates pour clarinette et accompagnement de basse,” are adapted from his own flute sonatas, Opp. 58 and 68. The clarinet sonatas display Devienne’s great ease of writing as well as his uniquely creative melodic lines. They encompass all forms and styles available in his time, ranging from the older, more structured Baroque style of sonata to the more flexible and improvisatory form of theme and variations and represent the unrivaled charm and elegance of classical sonatas for the clarinet.Weber’s compositions for clarinet, bassoon and horn occupy an important place in the musical repertoire. His compositions for the clarinet, which include two concertos, a concertino, a quintet, a duo concertante and “Variations for Clarinet and Piano on a Theme” (1811) from his mature opera “Silvana” (1810), are regularly performed today. “Silvana” had a major impact on subsequent German composers, including Marschner, Meyerbeer and Wagner.“Sonatina for Solo Clarinet” (1957) is an expressive, vibrant piece of music that demonstrates the versatility and expressive qualities of the clarinet. Rozsa was an incredibly versatile composer – for his film scores he won three Academy Awards and was nominated 16 times for Best Original Score. Rozsa’s experience of growing up in Hungary and hearing lots of beautiful unaccompanied folk music inspired him to explore writing several unaccompanied solos for different instruments. The “Sonatina for Solo Clarinet” is comprised of two movements. The first is a theme and variations movement that is full of beautiful passages of intense lyricism and lively rhythmic sections. The second is a fiery, dancing, virtuosic and playful movement that propels to a thrilling conclusion.In 1894 at age 61, Brahms wrote a pair of clarinet-piano sonatas. They were published together in 1895 as opus 120. The two clarinet sonatas of opus 120 were the last chamber pieces Brahms wrote before his death. They are considered two of the masterpieces in the clarinet repertoire. A model of classical form, “Sonata No. 1 in F Minor” is in four movements, the piano and clarinet presented in dialog as equals. The prevailing mood of the first movement is melancholic, the second a quiet, reflective lyricism and the third, grace. A vivace in rondo form in F major ends the work.For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

CES at FSU Presents Cherish the Ladies in “Celtic Christmas”The Cultural Events Series at Frostburg State University will present legendary Irish music ensemble Cherish the Ladies in “Celtic Christmas,” a Yuletide celebration of traditional Celtic music and dance on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center.One of the planet’s most heralded Irish music ensembles, Cherish the Ladies has shared timeless traditions with audiences worldwide for nearly 40 years. With “Celtic Christmas,” they put their signature mark on such classic carols as “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night” in arrangements that highlight the group’s unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies and spectacular step dancing. Hailed by The New York Times as “passionate, tender and rambunctious,” Cherish the Ladies has released three critically acclaimed holiday albums – “On Christmas Night,” “A Star in the East” and “Christmas In Ireland.”Formed in 1985 to celebrate the rise of women in what had traditionally been a male-dominated scene, the Grammy-nominated Irish American super group has since won the hearts of audiences worldwide with a rousing blend of traditional Irish music, captivating vocals and propulsive step dancing. The Boston Globe pronounced, “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do.”Since their inception, they have toured the world, performed in prominent performing arts centers, appeared at the White House and the Olympics, recorded 18 critically acclaimed albums, shared the stage with leading symphony orchestras and filmed an Emmy Award-winning PBS television program, “An Irish Homecoming.”Under the leadership of the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award winner, the irrepressible champion flute and whistle player Joanie Madden, Cherish the Ladies never fails to enrapture audiences. With their unmistakable sound and unparalleled artistry, the group continues to leave a lasting impression on all who have the pleasure of experiencing their captivating performances.Performance tickets are $38 for adults; $34.20 for FSU employees, members of the military and youth; and free for FSU students.For more information, visit ces.frostburg.edu or call 301-687-3137.To celebrate the artists’ visit, Frostburg Dining Services will present a teaching kitchen in FSU’s Chesapeake Dining Hall on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. Using fresh, whole ingredients, participants will work in pairs as they learn to make traditional Irish fare. Attendance is limited and reservations are required. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased by contacting the University box office.CES is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) and receives financial support from the Allegany Arts Council and the City of Frostburg.

FSU’s Department of Music Presents Chamber String Orchestra ConcertFrostburg State University’s Department of Music will present its Chamber String Orchestra, conducted by Peter B. Lewis, in its recital on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. The concert will also feature pianist Dr. Joseph Yungen in “Piano Concerto No.27 in B-flat Major, K. 595” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This event is free and open to the public. The concert will be livestreamed; click the “Join Stream” button on this page a few minutes before the recital is scheduled to begin, or any time during the recital, to view the live performance.String orchestra personnel for the various sections are as follows: violin 1 – Chassady Redhead, Leah Boggs and Sophia Zhang; violin 2 – Sydney Hector, Taylor Bryan, Janet Fogle and Kate Fogle; viola – Evie Shanholtz and Kathryn Schram; cello – Rebecca O’Rourke and Emily Xu; bass – Lewis; flute – Courtney Sechler and Ny’Lah Green; bassoon – Joe McDaniel and Dr. Brent Weber; French horn – Daniel Coughenour and Sam White; and timpani – Jacob Deaver.The program will include the finale from “Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op. 95, ‘From the New World’” by Antonín Dvořák, arranged by Evie Shanholtz; “Introit for Strings, Op. 96” by Vincent Persichetti; Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 27”; and “Hoe Down” by Aaron Copland.It was during the American chapter in his life from 1892 to 1895 that Dvořák composed his “Symphony No. 9,” and Dvořák stated that the symphony’s American provenance would be obvious “to anyone who ‘had a nose.’” The finale provides a summation of the entire composition, for in addition to its own ideas, it also recalls themes from preceding movements. These recollections tie the symphony’s disparate episodes into a coherent unity and provide, in the final minutes of the piece, a comprehensive and exciting conclusion.An introit is a piece or music or song that is typically performed at the beginning of a worship service, and Persichetti’s “Introit for Strings” (1965) is set in a very hymn-like manner while allowing the listener to experience Persichetti’s unique compositional language. The music floats, creating a sonic tapestry that colors the air with a masterful blending of 12-tone serialism and traditional harmonic techniques.“Piano Concerto No. 27” (1791) was not only Mozart’s last piano concerto but also the last piece he performed in public. Some have said that this work was Mozart’s farewell, but such attribution relies heavily on hindsight. It is very possible that Mozart was entering a new phase and style, which would be cut short. Some of those new elements exist in this piece. In the first movement, “Allegro,” the harmonic explorations and deftness forecast new musical horizons. The second movement, “Larghetto,” moves into radiant melancholy. The last movement, “Allegro,” is a rondo that includes two cadenzas. Its main theme is friendly, free, happy and endlessly beguiling.Aaron Copland's ballet “Rodeo” (1942) is a celebration of the American West. The ballet’s scenario takes place at Burnt Ranch, where a Cowgirl finds herself competing with visiting city girls for the attention of the local cowboys, especially the Head Wrangler. “Hoe Down” begins with dynamism and verve, signaling the Cowgirl’s rebirth; she has suddenly put aside her cowpoke duds and reappeared as the prettiest girl in the room. Copland borrows two square dance tunes to aid in this romp, a fanciful and uplifting take on the American square dance. There is a typical Hollywood Western ending, too, as the girl gets the right guy for her, not the aloof and snooty Head Wrangler, but Another Cowboy who has shown her respect, kindness and honor.For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

FSU’s Department of Music Presents Dr. Mackenzie Jacob LaMont in Faculty Artist Series Concert, “listen”Frostburg State University’s Department of Music will present percussionist Dr. Mackenzie Jacob LaMont in a Faculty Artist Series concert, titled “listen,” on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public. Due to the unique nature of the performance, it will not be livestreamed.LaMont is an active composer, performer (percussion), music educator and music industry/audio recording specialist. His recent compositions have been focused on the environment as well as political and philosophical issues, with the sound world inhabiting a space somewhere between minimalism and post-progressive rock (with dashes of polystylism here and there). LaMont has a doctorate in music composition with a cognate in percussion from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music where he studied composition with Michael Fiday, Joel Hoffman and Douglas Knehans, and percussion with James Culley and Allen Otte. He holds prior degrees in composition, percussion performance and music technology/recording, and previously studied composition and percussion at the University of Indianapolis with John Berners and Paul Berns, respectively. He is an assistant professor at FSU, where he teaches percussion lessons and ensemble, composition lessons and courses, and various courses within the music industry track.For more information, contact FSU’s Department of Music at 301-687-4109.

A Romantic Evening of Symphonic MasterworksFanny Mendelssohn Hensel | Overture in C Major Camille Saint-Saëns | Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor Florence Price | Symphony No. 3 in C MinorCelebrate Valentine’s Day with an exquisite concert of three classical masterworks, including Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel’s sparkling Overture in C; Florence Price’s soul-stirring Symphony No. 3, which honors the richness of African American musical heritage; and Camille Saint-Saens’ exuberant Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring Juilliard-educated soloist Chaeyoung Park.Prior to the performance, at 6:30 PM, ticket holders are invited to join MSO Music Director Elizabeth Schulze in the Recital Hal to discuss the works that will be performed during the evening’s concert. Gain insight on Romantic-era composers Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel and Camille Saint-Saëns and pioneering 20th-century composer Florence Price, who was the first African American woman to have been recognized as a symphonic composer and the first to compose for a major American orchestra.Since its founding in 1982, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s influence and reputation have reached far beyond Western Maryland. Under the baton of Elizabeth Schulze, who was declared by The Washington Post to be “a superb conductor,” MSO has become a first-class orchestra of exceptional artistic quality.The presentation of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is supported by the Community Trust Foundation’s Iris and Peter Halmos Community Fund and by the FSU Foundation.CES is supported in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, and receives financial support from the Allegany Arts Council and the City of Frostburg.

A Heartfelt Journey of Friendship from Bengal to BroadwayPack your trunk for a jumbo journey with Jenny the elephant! Watch in wonder as this puppet pachyderm grows from tot to teen to towering adult in an unforgettable tale of enduring friendship.Inspired by true events, this moving story of love, belonging and what it means to be “home” comes to life through large-scale “Warhorse”-style puppetry – including a baby elephant, a young adult elephant, a fully grown adult elephant and a tiger – original music, authentic dance and magical illusion. During its fall 2023 presentation by New York’s legendary New Victory Theater, The New York Times named it a Critic’s Pick, stating, “This alluring spectacle ... which aims to dazzle audiences age 8 and older, makes powerful statements about the rights of both animals and human beings.”Founded in 2001 and based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Cahoots NI creates theatrical magic with a distinctive, innovative style that combines magic and illusion, large-scale puppetry, physical theatre and original music and choreography. Their bold, original productions are designed to inspire a sense of wonder, unlock imaginations and nurture a love of the arts in children.Immediately after the performance, Chuck Dicken, station director of FSU’s National Public Radio affiliate station WFWM-FM joins the artists for a lively conversation with audience members. Meet the artists of Northern Ireland’s Cahoots NI and hear behind-the-scenes tales about the creation of The Vanishing Elephant.The Vanishing Elephant is supported by Culture Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and presented in partnership with Belfast International Arts Festival with support from British Council NI.CES is supported in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, and receives financial support from the Allegany Arts Council and the City of Frostburg.

New Orleans-Style Street Beats, Jazz and BluesExperience the rollicking excitement of blues, funk, jazz, shuffles and New Orleans-style street beats with charismatic jazz trumpeter, vocalist and composer Jumaane Smith, whose original compositions and spirited renditions of nostalgic standards like “When You’re Smiling,” “St. James Infirmary” and “You’re Nobody Until Somebody Loves You” will fill the historic Palace Theatre to create an intimate evening of exhilarating entertainment.Mentored by the legendary Wynton Marsalis during his years as a Juilliard scholarship student, Smith subsequently toured and recorded with Michael Bublé for nearly two decades, was a member of Harry Connick Jr.’s house band and worked with musical legends like Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Christian McBride, Kamasi Washington, Alicia Keys and Jon Batiste. He has performed on five Grammy-winning records, in two Emmy Award-nominated TV performances, at the Grammy Awards with Stevie Wonder, in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and at world-class music venues, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Vail Jazz Festival, the Hollywood Bowl and Joe’s Pub.Immediately after the performance, Chuck Dicken, station director of FSU’s National Public Radio affiliate station WFWM-FM joins the artists for a lively conversation with audience members. Discover details about Jumanne Smith’s career as a professional musician, composer and bandleader and his work with legends like Wynton Marsalis, Michael Bublé and Harry Connick, Jr.This engagement of Jumaane Smith is made possible through the Jazz Touring Network program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.CES is supported in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, and receives financial support from the Allegany Arts Council and the City of Frostburg.