March 1, 2009

We're continually surprised to learn how many in the Drexel community have never attended a single concert by one of our many talented student music ensembles. Now is the time to change this; you won't regret it. Between now and March 15, there will be eight concerts and you'll be most impressed by the incredible level of musicianship of Drexel students who are drawn from all of the University's schools and colleges. The Winter Music Festival kicks off with the String Ensemble on Friday, March 6th at 7:30 PM as Director Ron Lipscomb leads a program of Strings at the Movies.

Reverend Gregory Ross will lead the Gospel Choir, along with various Philadelphia area choirs, in a program of spirituals on Saturday, March 7th at 7:30 PM. On the morning of March 7th, the choir will hold music workshops in MacAllister Hall from 9 AM- 1 PM. This workshop will feature the expertise of special guest Philadelphia native and Grammy Award-winning record producer Steven Ford.

European Unions is the theme of the Concert Band's performance on Sunday, March 8th at 7:30 PM. Dr. Mike Moss, Music Program Director, conducts a concert themed to the European/American connection found in the works of George Kirck (Renaissance Triptych), Jan Van der Roost (Flashing Winds), and Gabriel Fauré (arranged by Dr. Moss (Chant Funeraire). Student Concerto Contest winner Mark Donovan will be featured in Mozart's Flute Concerto in D.

The Fusion Band and Guitar Ensemble will take the stage on Tuesday, March 10th at 7:30 PM. Led by Lynn Riley, the program will include works by Stevie Wonder, Maurio Bauza and The Beatles. The Guitar Ensemble will perform Cream's White Room, Mississippi Rag and O'er Wintry Hills, a Croatian Folk Song.

The Percussion, Mediterranean and Rock Ensembles will perform on Wednesday, March 11th at 8:00 PM. The Percussion Ensemble's motto is We hit things; We do it together and you'll see what they mean when theyplay Baile Baile, Valley of Napal, and Bonham. The Mediterranean Ensemble will follow with the theme Sharing the Music and Sounds of Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Israel.

The Keyboard Ensemble, led by Wanda Canfield, will perform J.S. Bach's Musette and Minuet in A minor, and Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel. Their performance will be on Friday, March 13th at 7:30 PM.

The University Chorus will wrap up the festival with performances of The Bach and Vivaldi Magnificats, on Sunday, March 15th at 3 PM. Performers include the Fairmount Chamber Orchestra and soloists Penelope Schumate, soprano, K. Rebecca Oehlers, mezzo-soprano, Perry Brisbon, tenor, and James Kirk, bass.

All Performing Arts concerts, except the University Chorus concert, are free and open to the public. For more information call 215-895-ARTS.