December 12, 2011 (Tuscaloosa, AL) – The UA School of Music and the Voice Department are pleased to announce the residency of esteemed voice pedagogue Dr. Donald Gray Miller and the Voce Vista-Pro Workshop to be held on January 21 and 22, 2012 in the Moody music building. The two-day workshop is primarily a training session in the practical application of VoceVista and the EGG in the voice studio. It is open to those who come from an institution with a site license for VoceVista-Pro or who have purchased an individual license for $150. ** There is no additional fee.  New subscribers are welcome who pay for the $150 individual license. The book Resonance in Singing: Voice Building Through Acoustic Feedback, which includes the software program, will be available at the discounted price of $50.

For more information Dr. Miller and Voce Vista-Pro, including its history and development, please see www.vocevista.com.

From Dr. Miller:

The two days of the workshop will follow this plan:  On the first day, the component signals and displays of VoceVista –Prospectrogram, power spectrum, EGG, waveforms, vibrato — will be introduced. This enables beginners to join those with more experience in using the program, as well as providing a review for those who are not yet complete masters of the signals.

The second day will concentrate on the practical problems in learning to use the program for feedback in singing instruction: getting the program installed and working in the participants’ own laptops, and practicing basic operations to enable further exploration beyond that which can be covered in the workshop.

**A few words explaining the individual license: The software program VoceVista-Pro comes with the book Resonance in Singing.  The price is modest: $70 for the package at www.voiceinsideview.com. A motivated reader could master the program with the information in the book alone, and we hope many people will. Getting started on your own is not easy, however, and the subject matter — like singing itself — remains complex, even for the diligent student.

The individual license — for a one-time payment of $150 — gives admission to occasional hands-on workshops that instruct in effective use of VoceVista. It also gives discounts: of $20 on the book-with-software, and of $50 on the electroglottograph (EGG), if and when that is desired. Finally, subscribers can claim a couple of half-days of individual tutoring from Don Miller in the Netherlands, as a good number have already done.

For more information on the workshop, please contact UA Voice Faculty members Dr. Jennifer Cowgill (205-348-4690; jcowgill@music.ua.edu) or Dr. Ray Chenez (205-348-1432; rchenez@music.ua.edu).

Tuscaloosa, AL – The UA Opera Theatre has advanced for the third year in a row to the finals of the National Opera Association’s (NOA) Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition to be held at that organization’s national convention in Memphis, TN on January 5, 2012.  Paul Houghtaling, Opera Theatre Director, will accompany Jennifer Bryant, soprano, Perry Davis Harper, tenor, Brad Baker, pianist, and Amir Zaheri, Opera Theatre Composer-in Residence, to the finals where they will compete with a duet from Massenet’s Manon.  Costumes were designed by Jack Schmitz of the UA Department of Theatre & Dance. Mr. Zaheri and Dr. Houghtaling will make a presentation on Mr. Zaheri’s opera The Raven’s Revenge which received its world premiere by the UA Opera Theatre in March of 2011.

Tuscaloosa, AL – The UA Opera Theatre has announced a change to their 2011-2012 season.  Due to cast changes and  scheduling issues, Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte will be performed on March 2 and 4 in place of the previously-announced La boheme.  UA’s Huxford Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Demondrae Thurmon, will be featured and the orchestra will be conducted by Maestro Andy Anderson of the Mobile Opera.  Please see  the UA School of Music Calendar of Events or the Opera Theatre website for more details and information on tickets and plan to join the Opera Theatre for Mozart’s glorious score and comic gem brought to life on the stage of the Concert Hall. This production will be Paul Houghtaling’s first production in the Concert Hall. Two performances only!

UA School of Music presents Hilaritas!

Tuscaloosa, AL – The University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences School of Music will present its annual show of holiday music, “Hilaritas,” on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building on campus. The performances will feature the Alabama Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Chris Kozak, UA Director of Jazz Studies, and the University Singers under the direction of John Ratledge, UA Director of Choral Activities.  The performances will feature the Alabama Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Chris Kozak, UA Director of Jazz Studies, and the University Singers under the direction of John Ratledge, UA Director of Choral Activities.  “Hilaritas” is a Greek word that translates loosely into “Live joyfully, and be proud of what you are.” The program has been a Tuscaloosa holiday tradition since 1969 when the University Singers and the Jazz Ensemble gave their first performance of holiday music by this name.  Ticket prices are $12 for seating section A, $8 for seating section B, and half price for students, seniors, and children and are available by calling the UA School of Music Box Office at 205-348-1477.

For more information about the Jazz Studies program please visit:

http://music.ua.edu/departments/jazz-studies and www.jazz.ua.edu

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UA School of Music presents The Capstone String Quartet

Tuscaloosa, AL – The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences School of Music presents a faculty jazz recital featuring Capstone Quartet on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Moody Music Building on the campus of The University of Alabama. The Capstone String Quartet members include Amanda Roberts, violin, Yoonhee Chun, violin, Sarah Lowenstein, viola and Smauel Norlund, violoncello. The program will include “Quartet, K. 456 Dissonance” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and “Quartet” by Maurice Ravel. The concert is FREE and open to the public.  For more information visit: www.music.ua.edu/calendar or call 348-7111.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality.  This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students.  UA, the state’s flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.

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UA School of Music presents Trombone Choir

Tuscaloosa, AL – The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences School of Music presents Trombone Choir on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building on the campus of The University of Alabama. The choir is directed by UA Assistant Professor of trombone Jonathan Whitaker and guest conductor, John Shanks. The Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble will also perform and they are directed by Jeremy Crawford and associate professor of tuba and euphonium, Demondrae Thurman. They will perform the following selections: “Gathering of the Armies from Lohengrin” by Richard Wagner, “Back to the Fair” by Bill Reichenbach, “Here We Rest” by Anthony Barfield, a piece dedicated to the State of Alabama in Memory of the Victims of the 2011 Tornados, “Prolegomenon” by Rob Deemer, “Seven Bagatelles” by Frigyes Hidas, “Tower Music” by Vaclav Nelhybel, with John Shanks, conductor, “Salutations” by Michael Forbes, “Equale” by Frederic Goossen, “Rolling Thunder March” by Fillmore, “Nessun Dorma” by Puccini, featuring Demondrae Thurman on euphonium, “Go” by Michael Forbes, “Achieved is the Glorious Work” by F.J. Haydn, “Entflieht aug leichten Kähnen…” by Anton Webern, “Tubamobile” by Thom Ritter George and “Resurrection from Symphony No. 2” by Gustav Mahler. This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information visit http://music.ua.edu/calendar-of-events/ or call 205-348-7111.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality.  This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students.  UA, the state’s flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.

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UA School of Music presents Huxford Symphony Orchestra in concert

Tuscaloosa, AL – The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences School of Music presents the Huxford Symphony Orchestra on Monday, November 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building on the campus of The University of Alabama. The program will include the “Tragic Overture, Op. 81” by Johannes Brahms, “Schelomo” by Ernest Bloch with Carlton McCreery, violoncello and “Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88” by Antonin Dvorak. Demondrae Thurman, UA Associate Professor of Euphonium and Tuba and Chair of the Brass Area at The University of Alabama is the conductor.. The concert is FREE and open to the public.  For more information visit: http://www.music.ua.edu/calendar or call 205-348-7111.

Demondrae Thurman is considered one of the stars of the formidable generation of brass soloists.  His euphonium playing has been described as “awe inspiring”, and he is touted as “an amazing musician”. Demondrae has a firm international reputation as a euphonium soloist having performed in France, Germany, England, Norway, Romania, and throughout North America.  Many of America’s premiere colleges and universities have hosted him as a performer and teacher and he continues to be in high demand.  Over the last ten years, Demondrae has been an invited guest artist/clinician at many of the world’s prestigious euphonium festivals including the International Tuba/Euphonium Conference, U.S. Army Band Tuba and Euphonium Conference and the Leonard Falcone Competition.  His primary teachers are John Stevens, J. Michael Dunn, James Jenkins, and Daniel Drill.

Demondrae’s conducting career began in 1999 when he co-founded the Wind Ensemble at Alabama State University.  In the six years with that ensemble, his reputation grew as a conductor and clinician.  He conducted several honor bands and served as an adjudicator for the Alabama Bandmasters Association.  While living in Montgomery, Alabama, Demondrae conducted a performance of the Christmas portion from Handel’s Messiah with the Alabama State University choir and chamber orchestra.  His symphony orchestra debut came in 2008 conducting Scheherazade, by Rimsky-Korsakov, with the Huxford Symphony Orchestra of the University of Alabama.  Demondrae’s primary conducting teachers Kenneth Ozzello, David Becker, and Gerald Welker.

Demondrae is also an active chamber musician.  He plays first euphonium and trombone in the highly regarded Sotto Voce Quartet which tours extensively.  The quartet has released three recordings on the Summit Records label; all of which have received stellar reviews.  Viva Voce!: The Complete Quartets of Johns Stevens won the International Tuba/Euphonium Association award for best chamber music recording in 2006.  The quartet has been featured several times on American Public Media’s, Performance Today.  He also plays first baritone horn in the Brass Band of Battle Creek, a British brass band comprised of many of the world’s best brass and percussion performers.  In addition to his chamber music work, Demondrae is in demand as a euphonium specialist for symphony orchestras including the Atlanta, Eastern Music Festival, and North Carolina Symphony Orchestras.

In addition to the Sotto Voce Quartet recordings, Demondrae released his first solo recording on the Summit Records label in 2005 entitled, Soliloquies. It received a 9/9 out of 10/10 from classicstoday.com and he was referred to as “having earned (his) stripes as one of the premiere euphonium players in the world”.  Showing his dedication to new music, all of the music on the recording was written for him or with his playing in mind.  His second release, Songs of a Wayfarer, is set for release in 2010. Demondrae can also be heard on recordings with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the New South Jazz Orchestra.

Currently, Demondrae is Associate Professor of Euphonium and Tuba and Chair of the Brass Area at The University of Alabama.  His students have been extremely successful having won many of the prestigious international competitions for low brass.  He is also teaches at the annual Miraphone Academy.

Demondrae Thurman is a Miraphone Performing Artist and plays exclusively the Miraphone 5050 Ambassador “Edition” euphonium which was designed specifically for him.  He also plays the custom “Demondrae” model mouthpiece manufactured by Warburton Music Products.

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UA School of Music presents University Chorus Fall Concert with University Choral Music Ensemble and Vestavia Hills High School Honor Choir

Tuscaloosa, AL – The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences School of Music presents The University of Alabama Chorus Fall Concert with Choral Music Chamber Ensemble and Vestavia Hills High School on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building on the campus of The University of Alabama. The Choral Music Ensemble will be conducted by Alexa Chastine, Emily Ehlers and Wesley King. They will perform: “The Nightingale, the Organ of Delight” by Thomas Weelkes, conducted by Wesley King,  “What Though Her Frowns” by Francis Pilkington, conducted by Emily Ehlers,  “O occhi manza mia” by Orlando di Lasso, conducted by Alexa Chastine. Vestavia Hills High School Honor Choir is conducted by Megan Wicks-Rudolph and they will perform selections from: “Bright Morning Stars” (A Kentucky Folk Song) arranged by Jay Althouse, “Hark I Hear The Harps Eternal” by Alice Parker, “Elegy for Dachau” by Matthew Armstrong, “The Gift To Be Simple” arranged by Bob Chilcott and “Let Everything That Hath Breath” by Jeffery L. Ames.  University Chorus is conducted by Professor in Music Education Marvin E. Latimer, Jr. with Michelle Austin, graduate project conductor, Kyle Wheatley, assistant conductor and Jonathan Roberts, collaborative pianist. They will perform “Serenade to Music” by R. Vaughan Williams, Cantata BWV 131 “Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir” by J.S. Bach. This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information visit http://music.ua.edu/calendar-of-events/ or call 205-348-7111.

About Our Choirs

Choral Chamber Music Ensemble

Choral Chamber Music Ensemble is a mixed ensemble primarily conducted by advanced University of Alabama undergraduate choral music students.  This ensemble will afford all choristers the opportunity to peruse a broad spectrum of choral ensemble music, most of which will be suitable for programming in a traditional public school choral music setting.  While experiencing breadth of repertoire will be a key philosophical component of this ensemble, high quality choral performance will drive the methodology. In that regard, student directors, through collaboration with the instructor, will prepare and conduct choral selections in an authentic performance setting.

The University of Alabama University Chorus

The University Chorus, Directed by Dr. Marvin E. Latimer Jr., is a choral ensemble of approximately seventy-five music majors and non-music majors open to all undergraduate and graduate choristers at the University of Alabama. University Chorus performs literature that encompasses styles from the standard choral and choral-orchestral repertoire to contemporary music. In addition to major performances in Moody Concert Hall, University Chorus has recently performed as special guests in area Worship Services and at the Alabama American Choral Directors Association Invitational Choir Festival in Birmingham, Alabama. The goal of the University Chorus is to provide our singers and our audiences with a stimulating musical experience. In any four-year cycle, singers can expect to perform repertoire in several languages and in various musical styles Each rehearsal involves a combination of vocal instruction, ensemble training and musical interpretation. Singers can expect to be challenged and enriched in many ways over the course of each year.

About Guest Choirs

Vestavia Hills High School Honor Choir

The Honor Choir is one of seven choirs at Vestavia Hills High School. There are students in 9-12th grade that comprise the choir. Students involved in the Honor Choir are National Merit Finalists, thespians, The Vestavia Hills mascot, football players, basketball players, cheerleaders, dance team members, cross country runners, track athletes, and SGA officers. All of the students are a joy and pleasure to work with on a daily basis.

Students in the Honor Choir focus on being a complete musician. They work on theory and sight-singing throughout the year, and pride themselves on their ability to sight-read well. The Honor Choir has had the opportunity to perform a major work every year with Vestavia Baptist Church under the direction of Dr. Terre Johnson. The choir has sung Testament of Freedom, Randall Thompson; Requiem, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Elijah, Felix Mendelssohn; and Requiem, John Rutter. The Honor Choir is very honored to be performing as a part of this concert. They especially want to thank Dr. Marvin Latimer for the invitation.

Megan Wicks-Rudolph is in her twelfth year of teaching at Vestavia Hills High School and her eighteenth year of teaching choral music. Her passion for choral music and her students are what ignite her desire to be the best choral director possible. Mrs. Rudolph is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher (2003) and is the Membership Chair for Alabama ACDA. She is currently finishing her PhD in Music Education at Auburn University.  Mrs. Rudolph’s previous degrees include a Master in Music Education from The University of Alabama and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She is the proud wife of Dr. Brian Rudolph and the proud Mother of Alexis and Austin. Mrs. Rudolph would like to express sincere thanks to Dr. Marvin Latimer for this invitation and his friendship.

Percussion Ensembles to perform at UA

(Tuscaloosa, AL)-The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences School of Music presents the Percussion Ensembles in concert on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building on the campus of The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. Pre-concert music will be provided by UA African Drumming Ensemble, directed by Jennifer Caputo.

The pre-concert program will include “Kpatsa” of the Ga-Adangbe ethnic group of Ghana. The main program will include “Kinka” by of the Ewe ethnic group of Ghana featuring Greg Banks on atsimeyu, “Gorsky’s Dream” by Chris Crockarall, “Sonata No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2 in C-sharp Minor”, “Moonlight Sonata” both by Ludwig Van Beethoven, “Log Cabin Blues” by G.H. Green, featuring Scotty DePriest, xylophone, “Selections from Carmen” by G. Bizet, performed by University of Alabama Rolling Tide Mallet Ensemble, “Italian in Algiers” by Giacchino Rossini, featuring the University of Alabama Percussion Ensemble with Joseph Collins, conductor “Symphony No. 29 in A Major, K 201” by W.A. Mozart, featuring University of Alabama Mallet Orchestra, “Paschal Dances” by David Gillingham and “Papite” by Todd Schietroma, featuring the University of Alabama Percussion Ensemble with Peter Grant, Johnny Suomu, Casey Harris, Colin Claybrook, Derrill Koelz and Scotty Radock, soloists, “Heads Up!” by Mark Ford featuring the University of Alabama Chamber Percussion Ensemble and “Haunted Mansion” a Halloween-themed compilation of selections from Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride, Phantom of the Opera, Halloween, The Shining, Twilight Zone, Psycho, Goosebumps, Dead Silence, Thriller, The Munsters, Monster Mash, The Exorcist, Hocus Pocus, Nightmare Before Xmas, Beetlejuice, Are You Afraid of the Dark? featuring the University Percussion Ensemble with Scott Radock. Beth Gottlieb, UA Temporary Instructor is the Director of Percussion and Mallet Ensembles.

The concert is FREE and open to the public. For more information visit: http://www.music.ua.edu/calendaror call 205-348-7111.

UA School of Music presents Alabama Jazz Band and 2:00 Jazz Bands

Tuscaloosa, AL – The University of Alabama College of Arts & Sciences School of Music presents the Alabama Jazz Band, on Tuesday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building on the campus of The University of Alabama. The program will be directed by Rob Alley and include “Blues in the Closet” by Oscar Pettiford, “Lullaby of Birdland” by George Shearing, “Have You Met Miss Jones” by Rodgers and Hart and “Footprints” by Wayne Shorter. The 2:00 Jazz Band directed by Stacy Morris will perform “Pressure Cooker” by Sammy Nestico, “For Once in My Life” by Miller/Murden, “Celebracion” by Sammy Nestico, “Starfire” by Benny Golson, “Lightnin’ ” by Bill Holman and “Pick up the Pieces” by Average White Band.  The concert is FREE and open to the public.  For more information visit: www.music.ua.edu/calendar or call 348-7111.

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