November 28, 2012

The Music Program presents ten free concerts open to the public featuring Drexel’s talented student-based ensembles directed by our esteemed Music faculty.  Saturday, December 1st at 3 PM in the Mandell Theater, Naturally Sharp, the vocal jazz ensemble, gets things swingin’ with jazz standards like “L-O-V-E,” “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” and “The Way You Look Tonight,” unforgettable tunes that have been sung by such legends as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole.  Also December 1st at 7:30 PM in the Mandell Theater, Drexel’s renowned Gospel Choir will energize the room with such spiritual songs as Grammy-award winner Richard Smallwood’s “Trust Me,” Charles Jenkins’ “I Will Live,” and Norman Hutchin’s “I Rest In You,” to name a few.

Sunday, December 2nd at 7 PM in the Mandell Theater, the Concert Band will present “European Classics.” Conductor Dr. Wesley Broadnax makes his Drexel debut with a powerful and majestic program featuring Wagner’s Traeursinfonie and Dmitri Kabalevksy’s Overture to ‘Colas Breugnon.’  This performance will be presented in honor of the late Dr. Myron (Mike) Moss.

Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30 PM, rock out with the Rock Ensemble and Fusion Band as they present uniquely arranged tunes from rock greats Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, and Neil Young featuring electrifying student solos.  The Fusion band will swing with their blend of jazz, Latin, and funk. 

Wednesday, December 5th at 7 PM in the Mandell Theater, the Mediterranean Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble will take their audience through a diverse and eclectic musical journey. The Guitar Ensemble will play holiday favorites including the John Lennon classic “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and The Sound of Music’s signature “My Favorite Things.”  The Mediterranean Ensemble will present a program that features music from the northern Mediterranean region and features guitarist and Music Professor Luke Abruzzo. 

Thursday, December 6th at 8 PM, the Jazz Orchestra will play the music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus and other jazz icons. The program will showcase every jazz form from swing to bop and beyond. Check out the Jazz Orchestra featuring vocalist Fran Stone here.

Friday, December 7th at 4:30 PM in Behrakis Hall, the Percussion Ensemble presents “A Copland Tribute.” The program will celebrate the music of Aaron Copland, one of the most significant American classical composers of the last century. Also on December 7th at 7:30 PM in Main Auditorium, The University Orchestra will feature Associate Principle trumpeter of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Jeff Curnow, along with internationally renowned trumpeter, Darin Kelly, performing Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major.”  Drexel’s All-College Choir will open the program featuring Mendelssohn’s “How Lovely Are The Messengers” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”  Check out a recent performance of the String Orchestra performing the 1st movement of Bach’s Third Brandenburg Concerto. 

Saturday, December 8th at 3PM in the Mandell Theater, a Chamber Music Recital will feature an array of solo and small group performances. Highlights include classical guitarist Stephanie Kovacs performing the music of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. The recital will also feature vocalist Elizabeth Ploughman and pianist Hongxin Xu performing works by Mozart, Faure, and Beethoven.  The recital will come to a dramatic close with powerful brass music of Giovanni Gabrielli. 

Sunday, December 9th at 3PM in Main Auditorium, the University Chorus and Chamber Singers present Ottorino Respighi’s magnificent Laud to the Nativity. Marked with Italian imagery, Respighi sets this musical portrait of the Nativity by integrating past musical styles with modern sonorities.  The concert will also feature motets, madrigals, and spirituals. 

For more information on these concerts call 215-895-ARTS or contact Graduate Publicity Assistant Donald Hunt at dh627@drexel.edu.