May 13, 2015

As the academic year comes to a close, the Department of Performing Arts will fill Drexel’s campus with sounds that span the gamut from classic to contemporary in its spring concert series. From Mozart to Santana, contemporary composers-in-residence Nicholas Vasallo and Marko Bajzer to James Brown, and Brazilian batucada percussion to gospel, a variety of works will be presented from May 31 to June 7. Drexel’s choral and instrumental groups are comprised of talented students from all across the University. Read on for a handy guide to navigating your way through a cornucopia of free-to-the-public performances.  

All College Choir & Chamber Music
Sunday, May 31, 7:00pm | Main Building Auditorium
The All College Choir (led by Professor Scott Bacon) will be joined by the Drexel Chamber Strings, led by Karen Banos, and the Drexel Chamber Brass and Woodwinds (led by Eve Friedman) for selections including: Thank You for the Music from Mamma Mia, Gloria from “Heiligmesse” by Haydn, Prayer of the Children by Bestor, Hush! Somebody’s Callin My Name by Dennard, Here Comes the Sun by George Harrison, Cherokee Traveler’s Greetingby Memley, Come Away Sweet Love by Greaves, and On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe by Warren and Mercer. 

Mediterranean Ensemble
Wednesday, June 3, 7:30pm | Mandell Theater
Enjoy an evening of "Country and Eastern Music," featuring popular songs and dances from Egypt, Turkey and Israel, with the Mediterranean Ensemble which is led by Bruce Kaminsky.

Jazz Orchestra
Thursday, June 4, 8:00pm | Mandell Theater 
Graduating seniors in the Jazz Orchestra and Jazztet, including Jonathan Guest, Reginald Pharaud, Michael Simeoni, and Bryce Walburn, will perform solos of works by the masters. Group performances include the music of Walter Davis, Jr., Woody Herman, Jerome Kern, Oliver Nelson, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, and Phil Woods. Drexel’s Jazz Orchestra and Jazztet are directed by George Starks.

Outdoor Spring Music Festival
Friday, June 5, 2:00pm – 6:00pm | Drexel Athletic Center (DAC) Fitness Plaza
Start your weekend early with open-air performances of classic favorites by the Fusion Band and the Percussion, Rock, and Guitar Ensembles. The Rock Ensemble will perform Santana’s “Oye Como Va,” Loggins and Messina’s “Your Mama Don't Dance,” “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder, and James Brown’s “I Got You.” The Fusion Band’s set includes songs by Eddie Harris, George Benson and Stevie Wonder, as well as David Sanborn’s “Love is Not Enough” with a traditional Brazilian batucada percussion introduction. Ensemble Directors include Lynn Riley (Fusion and Rock), Mark Beecher (Percussion), Greg Wright (Guitar)

University Orchestra: The Three M’s
Friday, June 5, 7:30pm | Main Building Auditorium 
A full symphony orchestra comprised of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion, the University Orchestra, directed by Rosalind Erwin, will present “The Three M’s”—Mozart, Massenet and Mussorgsky—including Mozart’sOverture to the Magic Flute; Massenet’s Ballet music from Le Cid; and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, originally written for piano and given its orchestral color by composer Maurice Ravel.

Gospel Choir: Nite of Ministries
Saturday, June 6, 7:30pm | Mandell Theater
From a large choir sound to small groups and solos, the Gospel Choir will host its Nite of Ministries, featuring added performances by praise dancers, mimes, and spoken word. Directed by the Reverend Gregory Ross, the choir will present selections from their soon to be released project, The Journey to Becoming a Vessel.

University Chorus and Chamber Singers 
Sunday, June 7, 3:00pm | Great Court, Main Building 
Accompanied by organ and harp and led by Dr. Steven Powell, the University Chorus and Chamber Singers will present Fauré's lyrical masterpiece Requiem, widely considered one of the great choral works in music history. Other selections by the Chorus will include Brahm’s double-choir motets (opus 109) and Andrea Gabrieli’s rarely performed Deus misereatur nostri a 12 for triple chorus, while the Chamber Singers perform the Six Chansons of Hindemith and the virtuosic Sept Chansons of Poulenc.

Concert Band
Sunday, June 7, 7:00pm | Mandell theater
Vientos y Tangos (Winds & Tangos) will feature the works of west coast guest composers Nicholas Vasallo and Marko Bajzer, including the Philadelphia premiere of Marko Bajzer's Codex and Dr. Vasallo's The Eternal Rerturn, an original work written for the Drexel Concert Band. In addition to these works, which represent some of the most effective contemporary writing for the Wind Ensemble & Concert Band to date, the performance will feature music of both Italian and Latin cultural influence. Dr. Wesley Broadnax is director of the Concert Band. 

Locations
Main Building Auditorium and Great Court: 3141 Chestnut Street
Mandell Theater: 33^rd and Chestnut Streets
Drexel Athletic Center: 33^rd and Market Streets

Please click here for more information about the music ensembles or contact performingarts@drexel.edu.