SUU Ensembles Concerts Streaming During COVID-19
Published: November 06, 2020 | Author: Ashley H Pollock | Read Time: 3 minutes
Southern Utah University’s (SUU) Department of Music will present two days of ensemble concerts. The SUU Brass and Woodwind Ensembles perform Monday, November 16, 2020, followed by the SUU Piano and String Ensembles on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. Both performances will be presented via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. The links are https://suu-edu.zoom.us/j/95449491502 for the Brass and Woodwind Ensembles and https://suu-edu.zoom.us/j/91572752137 the Piano and String Ensembles.
Ben Bradshaw, Adjunct Professor of Oboe/Bassoon at SUU, explains, “The students have enjoyed being able to play music as often as they can. There have been a few instances where a student has been unable to come to class while waiting for a roommate's test results, but fortunately we have not had any long term absences due to the virus. I've had to step in occasionally on piano to cover some missing parts, but more or less we've been able to have a relatively ‘normal’ semester.”
Dr. Christian Bohnenstengel, Associate Professor of Piano at SUU, says, “Last year's piano ensemble concert featured a piece with four pianists at every piano, which seems like a memory from a distant past now – unthinkable these days. It has been a challenge to find new and somewhat unusual repertoire that allows for social distancing and the possibility of an online performance. This year's concert will feature an unusual work by American avant garde composer Frederic Rzewski that is based on one of William Shakespeare's sonnets. The piece offers flexibility in terms of orchestration and provides ample space for improvisation. The narrator will be music department chair Dr. Lawrence Johnson and numerous members of the piano ensemble will be playing secondary, portable instruments to allow for greater social distancing.”
Dr. Lindsey O'Connor, Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at SUU, shares, “The Southern Utah University Saxophone Ensemble is looking forward to performing at the upcoming concert. The ensemble includes six freshmen, making it the largest saxophone studio in recent years. They will be performing two pieces: Nigel Wood's arrangement of Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg; and the world premiere of Our Night for saxophone octet and drum set by Stone Ren.”
Support these steadfast performers in their respective concerts on November 16 and 17, 2020. For more information about the SUU College of Performing and Visual Arts’ Department of Music, please visit www.suu.edu/pva/music.
About the College of Performing and Visual Arts
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 26 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, music and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring nearly 800 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year and is affiliated with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Center for Shakespeare Studies. Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.
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