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Professional concerts, free admission

Eastern presents 3 faculty recitals this March

by By Michael Rouleau

Willimantic, CT (02/24/2022) — Faculty musicians from Eastern Connecticut State University will take the stage this March for the University's Faculty Recital Series. The series will present three performances that span jazz and chamber music. All performances will occur in the Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC) Concert Hall and are free and open to the public. No tickets required.

The Music Program's Faculty Recital Series is both an artistic outlet for the University's expert faculty musicians as well as an opportunity for students and community members to attend a professional performance in a top-notch venue.

"Eastern's music faculty are not only dedicated educators but also exceptional musicians," said soprano and Music Professor Emily Riggs. "One of the best ways we can teach and inspire the next generation of classical musicians is through our own performance. It is a joy to be part of a vibrant musical community at Eastern, where world-class musicians and willing collaborators are all around you."

On March 4 at 7:30 p.m., the Straight-Up Jazz Trio - featuring pianist Anthony Cornicello, bassist Rick O'Neal and drummer Venlo Odom - will perform an evening of jazz standards.

On March 5 at 2:30 p.m., five faculty members will perform the first of a two-part chamber music recital. Part I is a tribute to Romantic-period greats Franz Schubert, Felix Mendelssohn and Johannes Brahms. Both chamber music recitals will feature flutist Amanda Baker, pianist David Ballena, violinist Andy Peng, violoncellist Cara Cheung and clarinetist Chris Howard.

On March 25 at 7:30 p.m., part II of the chamber recital will explore works written since the 1970s, including "Vox Balaenae" by avant-garde composer George Crumb, a new piece by contemporary composer Meera Gudipati and more.

While admission to the concerts is free, any donations collected at the door will support the Music Program's First-Year Merit Award, presented each spring to up to four first-year music majors who demonstrate strong academic achievement and outstanding commitment to the program.

Eastern is still following strict COVID-19 protocols; all audience members are required to wear face masks throughout the duration of the show and inside the Fine Arts Instructional Center.

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving more than 4,300 students annually on its Willimantic campus. In addition to attracting students from 163 of Connecticut's 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 31 states and 10 countries. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 65 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal art foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked as the #1 public regional university in New England by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020, 2021 and 2022 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 12 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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