The Arts Series
Founded in 1961, the Arts Series has been presenting outstanding performing arts programs more than fifty years. In past, our campus has welcomed such luminaries as Marian Anderson, Van Cliburn, Marcel Marceau, Jack Nicholson and the Kronos Quartet. This season, we continue that tradition with a wide range of programs that offer a lively look at the diversity of our arts traditions--from the legendary classical world of Menahem Pressler to the overtone singing of Tuvan throat singers.
As part of the UD experience that strives to "educate the whole person," these are the opportunities--open to campus and community alike--that so often inspire new understanding of the world around us. Read below what we have to offer in Spring 2012.
SO Percussion
In Residence
An award-winning experimental percussion ensemble based in Brooklyn, SO Percussion will be in residence at UD in late January and then again in April to present a variety of programs, work with the UD Percussion Ensemble and meet with a corps of interns from the Dayton Early College Academy. Look for more details on April activities later in the semester.
Film Screening: It Is Time
Tuesday, January 24, 7:30 PM
ArtStreet Studio B
What is time? It’s metered out in the music of So Percussion, using every conceivable instrument and then some – pump organ, bells, cymbals, steel drums, marimba, drum kit, cooking timers and even wind-up toys – in this video of the quartet’s performance of Steve Mackey’s newest work. This FREE screening will be followed by Q&A with the musicians and UD Physics Professor Bob Brecha.
Demo & Lecture: Following the Beat of a Different Drummer
Wednesday, January 25, 8 PM
Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Humanities Center
You know what they say: do your own thing and do it well. SO Percussion is an ensemble of four percussionists, each excelling in a particular niche, yet working together to carve out a ground-breaking path for the group as a whole. How do they do it? Join them to hear a few pieces and talk about how they have created their career in this challenging new century. This FREE program is part of the Career Conversations Series supported by a grant from Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies.
Minneapolis Guitar Quartet
Saturday, February 4, 8 PM
Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Humanities Center
"Flawless, musical and witty" (Classical Guitar Magazine, England), the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet has been one of the world's leading guitar ensembles since its founding in 1986. The MGQ has performed throughout the world, balancing a wide repertoire ranging from Renaissance to Latin American to highly imaginative contemporary works. In concert here at UD they’ll play everything from Purcell and Debussy to Stravinsky, as well as the 2001 composition “Ghetto Strings” by Daniel Bernard Roumain. Presented in collaboration with Chamber Music Yellow Springs, which will host them on Sunday. Tickets ($15 general admission, $10 for UD alumni, faculty & staff, and $5 for UD students) are available through the UD Box Office in the KU Lobby (937-229-2545).
Imani Winds
Lecture & Reception: Classic Choices in a World Defined by Popular Culture
Tuesday, February 21, 6 PM
Kennedy Union's Torch Lounge
The classically-trained African American musicians of Imani Winds stand out for their exceptional musicianship – but also for their commitment to a genre of music many have left behind in pursuit of pop fame and fortune. Join these musicians for food and conversation and explore the topic together; this FREE program is part of the Career Conversations Series supported by a grant from Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies and the UD Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Concert
Wednesday, February 22, 8 PM
Kennedy Union’s Boll Theatre
Imani Winds is not only known as "the nation's leading wind ensemble" (according to The New Yorker), they’ve even managed to make this obscure musical genre “ ... into something vibrant, accessible, and fun." (Boston Globe) With their impeccable style, warm stage presence and soulful repertoire of classical, world, Latin and jazz music, the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds is one of the best chamber ensembles of the 21st century. The quintet will be in residence at UD from February 20-22; on stage, they’ll by joined briefly by a faculty quintet in performance. Concert Tickets ($15 general admission, $10 for UD alumni, faculty & staff, and $5 for UD students) are available through the UD Box Office in the KU Lobby (937-229-2545).
UD Arts Series: A Half Century of History
A University of Dayton Archives Exhibition
March 11-June 10
Roesch Library Gallery 1st Floor
What do 50 years of great arts performances look like? Stop by the gallery in the entrance of the Roesch Library and find out! The University of Dayton Archives has mined its files and will display memorabilia from past programs presented by the University of Dayton Arts Series, including such luminaries as Marian Anderson (featured in the inaugural year), Van Cliburn, Marcel Marceau and the Kronos Quartet. The exhibit stands as a testament to the UD’s longstanding commitment to the arts.
Stop by to hear one of the artists presented in the past: Michael Bashaw will be performing at the Opening Reception (free) on Sunday, March 11, 3 PM.
Victoire
Lecture: Where’s My Road Map? Inventing Indie-Chamber Music
Wednesday, March 14, 8 PM
Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Humanities Ctr
Victoire’s founder and noted composer Missy Mazzoli will take the floor, talking briefly about her eclectic path in music and inviting questions from the audience. This FREE program is part of the Career Conversations Series, supported by a grant from Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies. Reception to follow.
Concert
Thursday, March 15, 8 PM
Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Humanities Ctr
What’s the next great thing on the horizon? It’s sometimes called “alt-classical” or indie-classical, and Victoire is one of hottest examples of this new genre-challenging music. No flash in the pan, Victoire is an all-star, all-female quintet combining strings, wind, keyboard and more. Both The New Yorker and NPR selected their recent album Cathedral City as one of the Top Ten Classical of 2010. Difficult to categorize but compelling to listen to, Victoire is on every critic’s radar. Tickets ($15 general admission, $10 for UD alumni, faculty & staff, and $5 for UD students) are available through the UD Box Office in the KU Lobby (937-229-2545).
Eric Singer
Lecture: Living in the Future:
Music, Instruments & Technology
Tuesday, March 27, 8 PM
Sears Recital Hall, Jesse Philips Humanities Ctr
Concert: MusicBOTS
Wednesday, March 28, 8 PM
Kennedy Union’s Ballroom
Wonder what it’s like to live in the future? Eric Singer is already there. A musician who founded LEMUR (League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots), Singer is both a computer scientist and musician. He draws on both disciplines to create his MusicBots – the ultimate mash-up of art and technology. MusicBots, or robotic musical instruments, remain responsive to the musicians who “play them. In his FREE Tuesday lecture, Singer will talk about his art and how came to approach music in such an innovative way; a reception will follow. In the Wednesday performance, Singer will bring his “GamelaTron,” a robotized version of the Indonesian percussive instrument, and will be joined by musician Taylor Kuffner. Concert tickets ($15 general admission, $10 for UD alumni, faculty & staff, and $5 for UD students) are available through the UD Box Office in the KU Lobby (937-229-2545).
WORLD RHYTHMS Series: De Temps Antan
Tuesday, April 24, 8 PM
Kennedy Union’s Boll Theatre
Since forming in 2003, De Temps Antan has taken the high-energy sound of traditional Québécois dance music around the world. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar, bouzouki, foot percussion and rich call-and-response vocals, the band (Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis) offers “a new take on Quebec folk music … traditional music with nothing old-fashioned about it” (CBC Radio). The band's newest release, Les Habits de Papier, has been nominated for Traditional Album of the Year by the 2011 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Co-presented with Cityfolk.
