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Building: CNH2054000 Central Florida Blvd.
P.O. Box 161354
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Fax: 407-823-3378
ucfmusic@mail.ucf.edu
Highlights
Music Alum Wins Tenor Lead
November 2009
Geoffrey Agpalo, B.M. 2008, won the tenor lead in the Northwestern University production of The Barber of Seville beginning in January 2010.
IUP Wind Ensemble to perform Christopher Marshall composition
November 2009
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania Wind Ensemble under director Jack Stamp will give the second-ever performance of An Emily Dickinson Suite. This work, commissioned by Brian Messier of Amherst, Massachusetts, was composed by Christopher Marshall while Composer in Residence at UCF in 2008. Marshall will assist in rehearsals for the performance and tutor senior composition students. The performance will take place on November 15 at 3:00pm at the Fisher Auditorium on the IUP campus in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Thad Anderson presents at 2009 PASIC Convention
October 2009
Thad Anderson will present a poster presentation titled "John Cage's Fourth Construction: An Imaginary Landscape" at the 2009 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, IN. For more information, visit the PASIC Web site.
Jeff Rupert swings From Memphis To Mobile
October 2009
Random Act Records presents From Memphis to Mobile, a new album from Jeff Rupert. Rupert, a master saxophonist, is featured in quartet and duet settings, with accompaniment from John Jenkins (drums) and virtuoso pianist Kenny Drew, Jr. as well as fellow UCF faculty members Richard Drexler (bass) and Lyman Brodie (flugelhorn). While continuing the tenor legacies of Lester Young and Stan Getz, Rupert charts his own path, with a gorgeous tone and inspired improvisations. A review from AllAboutJazz describes Rupert's work as "an inviting silk-sound that is never harsh, yet speaks so lyrically it's almost vocal."
Yonetani Selected for Florida State Touring Roster
October 2009
Ayako Yonetani was re-selected as an official artist for the 2010-2012 Florida State Touring roster. Yonetani was first selected for the 2006-2008 seasons, and this is the third time she was selected. She is the only official violinist in the state.
Blake Tyson's southeastern tour includes UCF visit
October 2009
Blake Tyson spent two days on the UCF campus in mid-October as part of his tour of the southeastern U.S. During his residency, Tyson taught lessons, coached ensembles, held a masterclass, and performed a solo recital featuring his own compositions and those of Halim El-Dabh.
Potter to sing in The Messiah
September 2009
Thomas Potter will sing as bass soloist in Handel's oratorio The Messiah with the Orlando Messiah Choral Society in the Bob Carr Auditorium on Sunday, November 29, 2009.
Ruth Golden directs master class
September 2009
Nationally recognized Master Teacher and Voice Instructor Ruth Golden directed a master class for students from the UCF Opera program, Rollins College, and local high schools. The class was also attended by UCF Film students. Golden is the Director of Vocal Studies for the Department of Music at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. She has performed across the nation and abroad with companies such as the New York City Opera, Canadian Opera Company (Toronto), Orchestra Pasdeloup, Prague Philharmonic in Prague, and Orchestra Royale of Madrid.
Joe McCarthy presents Afro-Cuban percussion clinic
September 2009
Percussionist Joe McCarthy visited UCF to present an Afro-Cuban-based drum set clinic. Joe performed excerpts from his new book Afro-Cuban Big Band Play-Along and worked with groups of students on various Afro-Cuban styles.
Anthony Rivera (BME, 2000, Saxophone)
August 2009
Anthony Rivera graduated from The Peabody Conservatory of Music with an M.M. in Wind Conducting in May 2006. For two years, he was Director of Bands at New Town High School in Baltimore, Maryland, and now teaches at Eastern Technical School in Baltimore. In February 2007, the Peabody Wind Ensemble released a CD on the Naxos label entitled “Collage” in which he served as associate producer. In June of 2007, Tony was selected as one of twelve conductors for the Michigan State University Conductor’s Symposium with guest clinician Jerry Junkin.
Artie Almeida (BA, 1979; M.Ed. 1985; Ed.D, 2002, Saxophone)
August 2009
Artie Almeida has been chosen Alumni of the Decade (1970s) for the UCF College of Education. She also published her twenty-first teaching resource in November 2006. It is a general music resource book called Mallet Madness that contains ideas for teachers to use barred instruments and drums to teach the elements of music.
David Jones (BME 2001, Saxophone)
August 2009
Dave is a professional saxophone and keyboard player based in the Nashville, TN area. Following graduation, Dave taught for 4 years in the St Augustine, FL public school system. Adept in a variety of genres and styles from classical to jazz to country, Dave has performed throughout the United States, Hawaii and the Caribbean. Shortly after moving to Nashville in 2007, Dave was invited to perform with Grand Ole Opry legend Mel McDaniel, and toured with Mel briefly before accepting the keyboardist position with Curb recording artist, Heidi Newfield in 2008. Dave appeared with Heidi on her US tour performing in 50+ cities and venues including the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry stages in Nashville, TN, and will continue touring with her in 2009 as she promotes her album What Am I Waiting For.
Justin Badgerow (BM, 1999, Piano)
August 2009
Justin Badgerow has been Assistant Professor of Music at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX where he taught studio piano, class piano, music theory, music appreciation and accompanies recitals. Recent performances include a recital with Grammy nominated vocalist Patrick Mason and a lecture recital in Merida, Mexico on music of Chavez and Copland.
Lisa Hopko (BME, Viola)
August 2009
Lisa Hopko is in her twelveth year of teaching at Maitland Middle School. Under her direction, the orchestra has grown to four levels of orchestra, in addition to the chamber music class. Her orchestras have consistently earned straight superior ratings in the Florida Orchestra Association Music Performance Assessments. She has served as Florida Orchestra Association 7-8 All State Orchestra Chair, District Chair for Orange county and is a certified adjudicator of FOA Music Performance Assessments. She had the honor of conducting All County Orchestras in Polk, Lee, Hillsborough, Brevard, Broward, Collier and Manatee Counties. She has been a member of the faculty for the Florida West Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra "Summer at the Symphony". She is a violist, and has performed with the Brevard Symphony, Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra and Harry Connick, Jr.
Marysol Quevedo (BM, 2005, Flute)
August 2009
Marysol Quevedo, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, received a BM in Flute Performance from the University of Central Florida in 2005. That same year she was admitted into the PhD program in Musicology at the Indiana University School of Music, and was awarded a Chancellor’s Fellowship to pursue the degree. She has held Graduate Assistant and Associate Instructor positions in the Musicology Department, and is the current co-President of the Graduate Musicology Association. She has recently finished her minor in Ethnomusicology, and has focused her electives in Latin American music topics, her primary area of study.
Omar Carmenates (BME, 2004, Percussion)
August 2009
Omar Carmenates, received a full time teaching assistantship in percussion and earned a Masters Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas. A doctoral candidate at Florida State, he is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.
Robbie Schaer (BA, 2002, Trumpet)
August 2009
Rob Schaer is a freelance trumpet performer in the Los Angeles area. Mr. Schaer began performing on the streets of Disney World in Orlando, Florida when he was only 17 years old. He continued working at Disney World while finishing a Bachelors Degree in Trumpet from the University of Central Florida, studying with John Almeida. Mr. Schaer recently finished a Masters Degree and Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California, studying with Boyde Hood. Schaer has been influenced by many great teachers including Charlie Davis, Wayne Bergeron, Don Green and Bobby Shew.
Samantha Barnes (BM, 2007, Voice)
August 2009
Samantha Barnes, a former voice student of Priscilla Bagley, won the district Metropolitan Opera National Council competition in Chicago, where she just began her Master of Music degree, on a full scholarship, at Northwestern University. She took 3rd Place at the Regional Met auditions, for which she was awarded $2,000. Samantha Barnes (UCF BFA-Vocal Perfomance 2007) was a Metropolitan Opera National Council Awards-National Semi-Finalist this year (2009), is currently a Studio Artist at Chautauqua Opera, and is joining Arizona Opera as a Studio Artist this Fall. She just graduated with her Master of Music degree in Opera from Northwestern
Susan Davison (BA, 2004, Piano)
August 2009
Susan Davison is currently the founder of the Music of the Spheres Academy and Music Director for Hope Christian Academy in Kissimmee, FL. In 2006-2007, she worked at the Osceola County School for the Arts as the Piano and Music Appreciation teacher as well as the Piano Accompanist for the State Solo and Ensemble Festivals. She also served as an Adjudicator for the "Florida Federation of Music Clubs" at the University of Central Florida. Ms. Davison is the founder of the “Talmadge Music Academy” in Oceola County, Florida.
Travis Heath (M.M., M.D.A.)
August 2009
Since graduating from UCF, trumpeter Travis Heath, student of John Almeida, went on to pursue his education at Rutgers University, earning his M.M. and D.M.A. degrees while studying with William “Prof” Fielder and Dr. Scott Whitener. While at Rutgers, Travis led the graduate orchestra as principal trumpet for six years and appeared in performances of Mussorgsky’s Picture’s at an Exhibition in Carnegie Hall and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Avery Fischer Hall.
Neil Flory (BA, Composition)
August 2009
Neil Flory is an active composer and poet. He holds degrees in music from the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, and the University of Texas at Austin. He has studied composition with Stella Sung, Budd Udell, James Paul Sain, Donald Grantham, Dan Welcher, Russell Pinkston, and Mark Schultz. He has composed a variety of works both in the acoustic and electro-acoustic mediums, and his music has been performed across the United States as well as in Europe, South America, Asia, Mexico, and Canada. His Venn Music I (for violin and guitar) is included on the 2003 Duo 46 release entitled Untaming the Fury (available through Summit Records), and his work A Dog Chasing its Tail (for actor and tape) appears on Volume One of the University of Florida SCI Student Chapter's CD series.
Percussion Instructor Publishes Timpani Book
August 2009
Kirk Gay has published a book of timpani etudes and solos for beginning to advanced players. The book, titled Pedal to the Kettle, addresses the demands of today's emerging timpanists, bringing new, modern life to performing on this unique instrument. The etudes (written for 2 or 4 drums) are presented in a sequence that graduates in difficulty and focuses on common challenges faced in modern and classic repertoire, all while maintaining a musical approach that is fun for young students to play. The book concludes with a collection of creative concert solos.
Trumpet Professor Tours Florida and North Carolina High Schools in the Spring
August 2009
UCF trumpet teacher, John Almeida, toured several Florida and North Carolina high schools during the end of the 2009 Spring semester. He performed as a guest trumpet soloist with several superb high-school-band wind ensembles including Lakewood Ranch High School, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Wind Symphony, and Central Davidson High School Wind Ensemble.
Music Grad Student wins American Viola Society's David Dalton Research Competition
July 2009
Jennifer Mueller, a graduate student in UCF's College of Music, recently won first prize in the American Viola Society's annual David Dalton Research Competition. Her paper is entitled, “Finding Emotion in Bartok’s Viola Concerto,” and investigates emotional responses to music as a way to analyze musical form. The paper will be published in the Journal of the American Viola Society.
UCF Baritone to Sing in Richard Wagner's opera "Das Rheingold"
May 2009
Baritone Thomas Potter will sing the role of Donner in Richard Wagner's opera "Das Rheingold" with the Indianapolis Opera Company and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Mario Venzago. More information may be found at: www.indyopera.org.
UCF Music's Presser Foundation Award
April 2009
At the UCF Music Department's annual Honors Convocation, department chair Johnny Pherigo presented the Presser Foundation Award to Allessandro Bonotto.
UCF Wind Ensemble Composition Award
April 2009
At the UCF Music Department's annual Honors Convocation, Jay Batzner presented the UCF Wind Ensemble Composition Competition Award to Brandon Clinton.
David L. Brunner: Recognizing 20 Years of Excellent Service to the University
April 2009
As Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida, David L. Brunner has been honored for his 20 years of excellent service to UCF. Brunner conducts the University Chorus and Madrigal Singers, teaches courses in conducting and music education, and coaches private composition students. He has received multiple "University Excellence in Teaching" awards while at UCF.
Eladio Scharrón receives In-House Grant
April 2009
Eladio Scharrón has been awarded a 2009 In-House Grant that will allow him to finish his work on the recording of the complete works for guitar of Manuel M. Ponce. This Mexican composer is one of the most important classical guitar composers in the 20th century. Three CDs are already in the final stages of production, and Professor Scharron will complete the fourth and final disc as a part of this award.
Nora Lee García-Velazquez honored by La Prensa
March 2009
Nora Lee García-Velazquez has been named among 2009's "Hispanic Women Who Make the Difference" by La Prensa, the premier Spanish newsweekly in Central Florida. She won in the Education category along with Linda Rosa-Lugo, also of UCF. La Prensa Publisher/CEO Dora Toro and Justina Gonzalez Marti acted as events coordinator and chair of the selection committee for the awards.
UCF Flute Ensemble tours Guatemala
March 2009
The UCF Flute Ensemble will tour Guatemala under the direction of Nora Lee García-Velázquez from March 6 to 13. The ensemble will appear in Guatemala City and Antigua, performing music by American, French and Latin American composers.
Potter with Imperial Symphony in Don Giovanni
January 2009
Baritone Thomas Potter sings the role of Leporello in a fully staged version of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni with the Imperial Symphony in Lakeland, Florida on Saturday, January 24.
Kimberly Saunders Randall and Thomas Potter to perform Donna Elvira and Leporello in Don Giovanni
January 2009
Soprano Kimberly Saunders Randall and baritone Thomas Potter will appear in the January 24, 2009 performance of Don Giovanni with the Imperial Symphony of Lakeland on the Florida Southern College campus. Randall will sing the role of Donna Elvira and Potter will sing the role of Leporello.