2007 - 2008 Season Archive

Now in its third season, the Rhode Island Wind Orchestra is a chamber ensemble of professional musicians specializing in masterworks from all periods written originally for winds and brasses. This all-too-often ignored corner of the classical repertoire is replete with musical treasures waiting to be rediscovered, as well as exciting works by contemporary composers.

Members include several players from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops, members of the Rhode Island College music faculty, and local freelance artists.

Conducted by Robert Franzblau, the program features three wind octets: Beethoven's charming Rondino in E-flat, Eugène Bozza's Octanphonie, and Mozart's sublime Serenade No. 12 in C minor.

Natalia Zukerman, singer-songwriter, and the daughter of violinist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman and flutist/writer Eugenia Zukerman, presents "Bottleneck country jazz with smoky come-hither vocals."

The Rhode Island College Wind Ensemble begins its 2007-08 season with "Milestones," a concert of classics from the repertoire for winds. Included on the program are Giovanni Gabrieli's Sonata Pian e Forte, Dvorak's Serenade Op. 44 for Winds, and Berlioz's monumental Symphonie Funèbre et Triomphale, with RIC trombone professor Kevin Kane as soloist. Variations on a Waltz Theme by Nathaniel Tronerud '07 will add a dimension of "brand new" to the program. Also featured will be a massed trombone choir performing Renaissance tower music in the lobby of Sapinsley Hall prior to the concert.

W.A. Mozart Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, K. 622
Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major, "Romantic"
Ian Greitzer, Clarinet
Edward Markward, Conductor

Mr. Greitzer appears regularly as a soloist and chamber music musician throughout New England. He is principal clarinetist of the Rhode Island Philharmonic and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, performs regularly with the Boston Symphony, and is a member of the Rhode Island College music faculty

This popular fast-paced high-energy concert features a wide variety of performing ensembles within the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance, including brass, vocal, woodwind, dance, and percussion groups. Performers appear in costume and audience members are encouraged to do likewise to enhance the ambiance of the Halloween atmosphere. This family-oriented concert is sponsored annually by the RIC chapter of the Music Educators National Conference.

Widely recognized as one of the most gifted contemporary composers in America and surely one of the brightest talents of his generation, violinist and composer Mark O'Connor and Rhode Island College Artist-in-Residence Judith Lynn Stillman, who have collaborated on many occasions, present a program along with cellist Mike Block. The New York Times calls O'Connor's performance "one of the most spectacular journeys in recent American music."

For more than two centuries, the United States Marine Band has been part of events that have shaped our nation. Established by an Act of Congress in 1798, the Marine Band is America's oldest professional musical organization. Its primary mission is unique—to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.

The United States Marine Band, America's oldest performing musical organization, gives more than 500 public performances each year. They perform in and around the nation's capital, and on tour across America each fall.

"For more than 200 years the Marine Band has set a standard of musical excellence that has enriched the White House and our entire nation. They have been ‘The President's Own,' and for me it has been a special honor and a treat. They have stirred the spirits of more people than President Adams could ever have imagined when he signed the bill creating the Marine Band." - Bill Clinton

Founded in 2002, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensembles were created to give advanced woodwind, brass and percussion students from Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut an opportunity to perform wind ensemble repertoire of the highest quality. Conducted by David Martins and Marc Blanchette, the Senior and Junior Wind Ensembles will share this special concert with the Rhode Island College Wind Ensemble, conducted by Robert Franzblau.

William Anderson and Oren Fader, duo-guitarists and members of the Award-winning new music ensemble CYGNUS, have been hailed as "electrifying" by Allan Kozinn of the New York Times.

H. Owen Reed's La Fiesta Mexicana forms the centerpiece for this offering by the Rhode Island College Wind Ensemble. This symphonic work was inspired by the composer's travels in Mexico and reflects the spirituality, passion, and vitality of that culture. The balance of the concert program includes Joaquín Rodrigo's Adagio Para Orquesta de Instrumentos de Viento and Steven Bryant's latest work, Radiant Joy.

Maurice Ravel, Mother Goose Suite
Maurice Ravel, Don Quichotte
Hector Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique
Tianxu Zhou, Baritone
Edward Markward, Conductor

A native of China, Mr. Zhou has appeared recently as soloist on many occasions in New England and the Washington, D. C. area, including appearances with the Washington, D.C. Opera Company and the National Symphony Orchestra. He is a member of the Rhode Island College music faculty and a doctoral candidate at the Shenandoah Conservatory.

This winter choral concert will feature the four RIC choral ensembles in performances of works by important composers throughout western music history as well as a few non-traditional and lesser-known composers and pieces. Planned works include Eric Whitacre's Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, three motets by Anton Bruckner (Locus iste, Os justi, Christus factus est) and traditional holiday favorites. The RIC Chorus, Chamber Singers and Women's Chorus are conducted by Teresa Coffman and the RIC Men’s Chorus is led by Tianxu Zhou.

"ERIC RUSKE'S APPROACH...ENCHANTS BY VIRTUE OF ITS CONFIDENCE, IMAGINATION AND EBULLIENT VIRTUOSITY." -New York Times

"A SOUND BOTH LUMINOUS AND BRILLIANT, ALWAYS WITH A PERFECT ROUNDNESS, AN IMPECCABLE VIRTUOSITY..." -Le Monde, PARIS

"...ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT MUSICIANS...EVERY NOTE WAS PURE MUSIC..." -The Herald, GLASGOW

In 1974, Susan Milan was appointed Principal Flute of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra where she remained for eight years. Since then she has continued to forge a multi-dimensional career as an orchestral guest principal, chamber musician, soloist, teacher and lecturer.

She has given numerous world and UK premieres and has inspired contemporary composers to write for her, among them Richard Rodney Bennett, Antal Dorati, and Cecilia McDowall. Susan Milan is often featured on the BBC and has recorded concertos and recitals for the Chandos label.

Susan formed The London Chamber Music Group featuring flute, oboe, violin, viola, cello, piano and harp. With members of this group, she has recently recorded the chamber music of Eugene Goossens for the Chandos label.

Susan is a Professor of the Royal College of Music, where she was herself a scholar at the age of 16. She was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music, which was presented to her by HRH Prince Charles in November, 1999.

The 2007 October Concert will be made up of five precarious dances. The opener is a condensed version of Fare Well that highlights the synchronistic partnering of Nugent and Matteson within Edmund Mooney's richly atmospheric sound score. Next Block Idol, a solo by Matteson with music by Michael Krassner, layers bittersweet coming-of-age narratives with impossible physical challenges.

The third piece, Semi-Formal, a solo by Nugent with live music by violinist Heather Somerland, is a hip circling ceremony of ballroom dance fantasies. Nugent strips away all that seems familiar with hopes of re-experiencing the first time again. Fourth is Saints Smother Swans, an intricately technical new duet for Nugent and Matteson choreographed by Terry Creach. Erika Kinetz from The New York Times writes, "Terry Creach's curiosity about what the human body itself might reveal about human beings is timeless." The final work is Cozy Up, an intensely physical new group work choreographed by Nugent and Matteson in collaboration with Rhode Island College dancers.

General Admission: $12**