University Summer Performance Series 2011

There is always something happening in the Brazos Valley, and there is a great variety in the activities that take place. Last week I told you about some fun outdoor concerts happening in our area, and this week I’m telling you about something a little classier. Surfing the web for things to do in Bryan College Station, this blogger got excited when she found a six part classical concert series entitled the University Summer Performance Series. These concerts sound like they will literally be sweet music to my ears and who doesn’t need a little bit more classical music in their life? Plus, this series will take place only a hop skip and jump away from the Rudder Jessup B&B at the Annenberg PresidentialConference Center. The series is supported by four University entities: the Academy for the Visualand Performing Arts, the Department of Performance Studies , the Memorial Student Center, and the  University Honors Program.  Also made possible by support from The Arts Council of Brazos Valley ,  Plass Foundation , Texas Commission on the Arts , National Arts Council, and donations from the community, this series shall be a grand sequence of events. I encourage you to attend these celebrations of classical music, its composers, and those individuals talented enough to play it. Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $5 for students. You can purchase tickets through the MSC box office at (979)845-1234 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting or online.  To find season ticket information visit the USPS website .

Below is the schedule and synopsis for each of the events. Embedded are links telling you about organizations, performers, and composers, as well as for some specific pieces of music. Hopefully this guide will assist you in choosing what concert(s) you are going attend.

Texas Music Festival (TMF): Jazz Project
Monday, June 6, 7:30p.m.
The TMF Jazz Project is an all-star jazz orchestra composed of our state’s finest musicians. Led by director/trumpeter Noe Marmolejo, the program features the best in what’s hot in America’s native musical idiom.

Texas Music Festival (TMF): New World Visions
Monday, June 13, 7:30p.m.Antonin Dvorak’s time in America (1892-95) generated some of his most beloved works, including the String Quintet in E-flat, Op. 95 and his Sonatina for Violin, Op. 100, both featured on this program, which also includes Robert Sirota’s Birds of Paradise and Copland’s El salon Mexico in the version for two pianos.

Texas Music Festival (TMF): Sensuous Perfume
Monday, June 20, 7:30p.m.
A world premiere of David Ashley White’s new scena for mezzo-soprano on Cavafy’s “Ithaka,” virtuoso violin works by Gershwin and Vieuxtemps, and a Romantic favorite, Brahms’s Piano Quartet, Op. 25, form the pillars of this dramatic and virtuosic program.

Texas Music Festival (TMF): Grand Finale

Monday, June 27, 7:30p.m.
Firing on all cylinders, TMF closes with an American masterwork, Walter Piston’s Piano Quintet from 1949, which descended from the tradition of Brahms and Dvorak. Ludwig Spohr was regarded on par with Beethoven in their day. His seminal Grand Nonetto for Winds and Strings poses the question, “Who needs Beethoven?”

FEATURED CONCERT - 12th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist; Alexander Kobrin

Monday, July 11, 7:30p.m.
Born in Moscow in 1980, Alex Kobrin began piano studies at the age of five with Professor Tatiana Zelikman at the Gnessin Special Music School, where he now serves as a member of faculty. His performance will feature selections from Haydn, Chopin and Beethoven.

The Elision Saxophone Quartet

Monday, July 18, 7:30p.m.
The Elision Saxophone Quartet captivates with power, grace, and elegance during stylistically diverse and virtuosic programs.  The quartet dazzles audiences with an entertaining recipe of classical, Latin, jazz, popular, and world music styles.  The quartet’s performances of J.S. Bach, Leonard Bernstein, Chick Corea, Astor Piazzolla, and Phil Woods music have in recent seasons become proven audience favorites.

The first concert is not far off, so make sure you plan ahead! I’m now off to waltz around the library of the B&B surrounded by strains written by the divinely gifted Chopin...

Also, don’t forget our New Student Conference Special!