Past Events

Professor Hanzlik Plays To Rave Reviews at Carnegie Hall

Dr. Louis Hanzlik was a featured soloist this past weekend with Grammy-Award winning the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble. He performed the Shostakovich Concerto No. 1 for Piano, Trumpet & Strings in College Park, MD and New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall.

In the New York Times review, Allan Kozinn noted "[Orpheus's] trumpet soloist, Louis Hanzlik, stood throughout the work, and his crisp, focused playing — particularly in the muted, gently chromatic solo in the Lento movement — made a strong case for equal billing [of the trumpet and piano as concerto instruments], as did the measured interplay among trumpet, piano and orchestra in the finale. " Read the entire review here.

The Washington Post praised Hanzlik's "appropriately rollicking performance". Reviewer, Tom Huizenga went on to state "it was Hanzlik, relishing in Shostakovich sarcasm, who easily stole the show." The entire review can be read here.

UConn Opera Outreach was recently featured in the Norwich Bulletin. Click on the following link to view some terrific photos and a write up describing their performance of "Little Reds Most Unusual Day" at Kelly Middle School last Tuesday.

Photo by Aaron Flaum, the Norwich Bulletin

Meredith Ziegler has been selected one of twelve (six women) from hundreds of young teachers across the country to participate in the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) competitive and prestigious Intern program this coming summer. The interns are chosen after submitting letters of recommendation, sample teaching videos, DVDs of recent performances, a CD of their singing, and a written philosophy of teaching. Additional information about the program can be read at the following link: www.nats.org/programs/nats-intern-program.html

Congratulations, Meredith!

Sojourner Truth Opera

Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. in von der Mehden Recital Hall.

“1st Chair” Invitational High School Band and Director’s Clinic

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012

Selected high school students will form a top quality band, similar in level to the All-State Band. The “1st Chair” band will prepare one or two pieces of its own; then, the members will sit side-by-side with the first-chair players from the UConn Wind Ensemble in rehearsal and performance of one of the masterworks of concert band literature.

An equally important part of the day will be interactions between and among our guest high school directors, UConn faculty, and music industry representatives. In addition to conducting clinics, there will be time to share ideas and build camaraderie among professional colleagues.

A great day for students and directors to learn and share!

UConn Jazz 10tet To Perform At Manchester High School Jazz Festival

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 at 4:50 p.m.
Manchester High School, 131 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester, CT

The UConn Jazz 10tet, under the direction of Earl MacDonald, will be the featured performers at the Manchester High School jazz festival. MacDonald will also serve as one of the festival’s adjudicators/clinicians. Participating school ensembles include Illing Middle School, Wallace Middle School, Mystic Middle School, Timothy Edwards Middle School, Martin Kellogg, Coventry-Captain Nathan Hale, South Windsor High School, East Catholic High School, Manchester High School Jazz Combo, Ellington High School, East Catholic Stage Band, Newington High School, Berlin High School, Waterford High School, Northwest Catholic, Bacon Academy and Manchester High School.

Student Recital

Monday, February 13, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in von der Mehden Recital hall

Elaine Steel, french horn
Robert Barney, bass trombone

American Songbook IV

Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts

UConn vocal students, under the direction of Connie Rock, present another relaxing evening with American Songbook IV, including tunes from Broadway, Hollywood, and Tin Pan Alley. These “standards,” with their urbane lyrics and memorable melodies from the 1920s to the ‘60s, were introduced by music greats like Hoagie Carmichael, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, and Richard Rogers and went on to become an essential part of this country’s musical vocabulary. Don't wait to get your tickets, past productions with limited, intimate seating, have been a sell-out!

Audition Day

Saturday, February 11, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Audition days provide an opportunity for the Department of Music to evaluate the abilities of each applicant as well as an opportunity for parents and prospective students to learn more about the Department and the University of Connecticut. Representatives of the department also discuss many aspects of the college experience, musical careers, the admissions procedure, and musical life at the university. We look forward to meeting all prospective students.

The Ambassadors Jazztet

Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10 a.m. in room 102 of the UConn Music Building

The Ambassadors Jazztet of the United States Army Field Band will perform and conduct a master class in jazz improvisation. The event is open to the public and all students are encouraged to attend.

Bay State Winds

Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in von der Mehden Recital Hall

The United States Air Force Band of Liberty’s Bay State Winds will perform a free concert during the Department of Music’s convocation hour.

Student Recital

Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in von der Mehden Recital Hall

Ryan Burns, baritone

UConn's 18th Annual Cello Festival

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Featuring:
Steven Doane - Guest artist
Katie Schlaikjer
Cheung Chau

There is still time to register for the UConn cello festival this coming Sunday. The incomparable Steven Doane will be our guest of honor and participants will play works of Bach, Tchaikovsky and Debussy en mass in cello orchestra--this will be well worth the trip! Information at: Cello Fest

Chucho Valdés Master Class

Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 in MUSB 102 at 2pm

The great Cuban jazz pianist, Chucho Valdés will present a master class in room 102 of the UConn Music Building on Saturday, Jan. 28th, 2012. There is no cost and all are welcome to attend.

Hailed as “the dean of Latin jazz” and “one of the world’s great virtuosic pianists” by The New York Times, multi-Grammy Award-winner Chucho Valdés has recorded over eighty CD’s during his illustrious career, performing with countless jazz masters, including Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis and Chick Corea.

Valdés will perform in concert with the Afro-Cuban messengers on Jan 27 & 28 at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. For more information go to www.jorgensen.uconn.edu, or call the Box Office at 860-486-4226.

Welcome Javier Diaz!

The Department of Music is pleased to announce the appointment of Javier Diaz as our new adjunct percussion instructor.

Javier Diaz, a native of Cuba, is a percussionist with the American Symphony Orchestra and with several chamber music groups and Latin Jazz Bands in the New York Area. An alumnus of El Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela and the Aspen Music Festival, Mr. Diaz holds a BM from the University of Southern California and a MM from The Juilliard School.

Please take a minute to read his biographical profile, complete with performance and recording credits.

Music History and Theory Colloquium

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 5:15 p.m. in MUSB 107

Sean Gallagher (Boston University), “Ockeghem's Oronyms: Gesture, Tempo and Notation in his Missa L'homme armé.” (Please note that the venue is now MUSB 107, not L103 as in the past.)

Collaborative Music & Visual Performance

Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in UConn’s New Classroom Building.

Presented by Earl MacDonald, Deborah Dancy and Ted Efremoff.

Newly composed music by Earl MacDonald will correspond to a series of changing, projected visual images

The performance will feature the 10-piece New Directions Ensemble: Kris Allen - alto sax, Frank Kozyra - tenor sax, Lauren Sevian - bari sax, Jeff Holmes - lead trumpet, Josh Evans - trumpet soloist, John Clark - French horn, Sara Jacovino - trombone, Earl MacDonald - piano, musical director, Gregg August - string bass and Ben Billelo - drum set.

There will be no admission charge and the event is open to the public.

Noch Frei in der Kunst!

Sunday January 22, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the William Benton Museum of Art

Glenn Stanley and Sebastian Wogenstein, lecturers
Thedore Arm, violin/viola
Blanka Bednarz, violin
Robert Meyer, viola
Cheung Chau, cello
Curt Blood, clarinet
Jan Zimmerman, soprano

Works by Gideo Klein, Victor Ullman, Olivier Messiaen, Hans Krasa, Dmitri Shostakovich.

Student Recital

Ashley Kirk, voice
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in Storrs Congregational Church

Eric Sasman, tuba
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. in von der Mehden recital hall.

To all students studying, practicing, and / or listening to music:

I want to wish you the most successful of jury / exam weeks, a refreshing semester break, and the best of times with family and friends. And, as we proceed through the frenzy of the next few days, I hope that we all can be mindful of the amazing privilege that is ours — "doing" music with colleagues and faculty who are passionate, knowledgeable, and incredibly talented — doing music with people who care.

Best of luck, everyone, and happy, happy holidays!

Dr J

The Season for Giving

Photo by Jessica Tommaselli

Charitable giving and the learning experiences that come with it are an important part of the holiday season. At the jazz and choral concerts last weekend, admission fees were waived. Instead, donations were collected for WAIM and My Sister's Place. Over $800 was raised.

The Windham Area Interfaith Ministry uplifts and unites our community by providing caring service and resources to meet our neighbors' needs with dignity and respect. WAIM redistributes donated clothing, furniture and household items, and provides emergency financial assistance to over 8,000 people each year who are struggling to make ends meet. Donations to WAIM help people from Windham/Willimantic, Mansfield and eleven other surrounding towns.

My Sister's Place in the north end of Hartford, Connecticut is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of homeless women and their children. Since 1982, My Sisters' Place has been a safe haven for those who are suddenly forced into the streets due to domestic violence, eviction, unemployment or mental illness. Through guidance and empowerment, My Sisters' Place helps those who slip into homelessness transition to a future of self-reliance and permanent, safe housing.

Thank you to everyone who attended these concerts and who gave so generously.