Eastern's Music Program to Host 7 April Performances

Willimantic, CT (03/25/2019) — The Music Program at Eastern Connecticut State University will host a variety of performances in April, representing a wide range of genres and style periods. All concerts and recitals will be performed in the Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC) Concert Hall. Admission is free, although donations are gratefully accepted at the door.

On April 5 at 7:30 p.m., Eastern professors Anthony Cornicello and Rick O'Neal, with drummer Venlo Odom will present a night of standard jazz repertoire in an expressive, adventurous and visceral manner. This recital is presented as part of the Music Program's Faculty Recital Series, which was established to raise scholarship funds for current and incoming Music Program students. All donations received at the door will go directly to supporting these scholarships and awards.

On April 6 at 2:30 p.m., "Sounds of Korea" features traditional and contemporary music and culture from Korea including a Samul percussion ensemble, classical art music and K-pop. Presenters in Korean traditional clothes will provide brief background information for each entry to enhance the audience's understanding of what they will see and hear on the stage and screen.

On April 11 at 12 p.m., guest ensemble Cuatro Puntos will present a program of Persian classical music for the santoor (a hammered dulcimer-like instrument) and string quartet written by Dr. Reza Vali, as well as a purely classical Persian improvisatory piece on santoor performed by Dr. Dariush Saghafi. Vali is an accomplished composer who is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University; Saghafi is the world's leading master of the Persian santoor.

On April 14 at 2:30 p.m., there will be a Music Program recital and awards ceremony to honor students for their academic achievements in both performance and musicology. A reception in the lobby will follow the performance.

On April 22 at 7:30 p.m., the Eastern Concert Chorale, conducted by David Belles, will present "Requiem for the Living" by contemporary composer Dan Forrest. This exciting work features choir, soloists and orchestra, and is guaranteed to delight audience members who attend. In addition, senior music major Ryan Michaud will be featured as guest conductor for another of Forrest's compositions, "St. Patrick's Hymn" for choir and piano. The concert is free of charge with a suggested $10 donation at the door.

On April 24 at 7:30 p.m., the Eastern Concert Band will present a festive spring program of standards and newer music for wind band.

On April 29 at 7:30 p.m., the Eastern Jazz Ensemble will present an evening of music featuring student soloists. The Eastern Jazz Ensemble is under the direction of Professor Bryce Call. If you miss this concert, the ensemble will also perform alongside Eastern's Jazz Combo at the Shaboo Stage in Jillson Square on May 11 at 1:00 p.m.

Written by Raven Dillon

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving more than 5,300 students annually at its Willimantic campus and satellite locations. In addition to attracting students from 163 of Connecticut's 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 26 other states and 20 other countries. A residential campus offering 40 majors and 65 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal art foundation grounded in an array of applied learning opportunities. Ranked the 25th top public university in the North Region by U.S. News and World Report in its 2018 Best College ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review eight years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

It is the policy of Eastern Connecticut State University to ensure equal access to its events. If you are an individual with a disability and will need accommodations for this event, please contact the Office of University Relations at (860) 465-5735.

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The Eastern Jazz Ensemble