The season opens at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, with Maine-ly British Brass: A Tribute to the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and the London Brass. To commemorate a British trumpeter and his unique brass ensemble, Betty Rines, USM trumpet faculty member, has once again assembled top-of-theline professional brass musicians for this season-opening tribute concert. Conducted by Peter Martin, USM professor of Music.

Among this season’s exciting features are the season-opening tribute concert to the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble; an evening of rock and pop songs deconstructed and re-imagined into new jazz standards; and a high school choral invitational in which students from Gorham, Westbrook, South Portland, Scarborough, Freeport and Newcastle’s Lincoln Academy which will join the USM University Chorale and Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra to perform what are known as the greatest unfinished masterpieces of all time.

“This fall season has an event for everyone,” said Alan Kaschub, USM School of Music director. “The breadth and depth of the fall season at the USM School of Music are a tremendous example of how a university can enlighten, entertain, educate and serve the community.

“We are thrilled to invite the community to hear what is happening and to take advantage of what we have to offer,” Kaschub continued. “We will engage youth directly through both our youth ensembles and our Mozart ‘Requiem’ collaboration. We will shock with ‘CARRIE the musical’ and soothe with Brahms.”

The fall season will offer a wide variety of genres that everyone can enjoy, from favored classics to innovative jazz to popular rock to world music. Among the featured composers will be John Cage, Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Zoltán Kodály, Mozart and Schubert. The USM Composers Ensemble will present the Indian and world music of Srinivas Krishnan, contemporary Indian master percussionist, and the Faculty Jazz Ensemble will dazzle audiences with jazz-infused John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and Radiohead. Just in time for Halloween weekend, the Maine premiere of “CARRIE the musical” is set to a score of thrilling rock songs.

Several guest artists will visit the USM Gorham campus for performances and master classes. The lineup includes Andrew Pelletier, alumnus and Grammy Award-winner on the French horn; Bridget Convey, acclaimed pianist; Delores Ziegler, world-renowned mezzo-soprano; Scott Reeves, City College of New York faculty member on trombone; Sayuri Miyamoto, award-winning pianist; Srinivas Krishnan, master Indian percussionist; and Arjun Chandy, heralded Indian singer and vocal coach.

All events are open to the public and take place in the Corthell Concert Hall on the USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Avenue, unless otherwise noted. For tickets and reservations, visit www.usm.maine.edu/music/boxoffice or call 207-780-5555.

2013 Fall Season At a Glance

All events are open to the public and take place in the Corthell Concert Hall on the USM

Gorham Campus, 37 College Avenue, Gorham, unless otherwise noted.

September

• Maine-ly British Brass: A Tribute to the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble and

the London Brass

8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 13

To commemorate a British trumpeter and his unique brass ensemble, Betty

Rines, USM trumpet faculty member, has once again assembled top-of-theline professional brass musicians for this season-opening tribute concert. Come

hear the best of the USM faculty and alumni, conducted by Peter Martin, USM

professor of Music.

Ticket A

• Pianist Bridget Convey Performs John Cage

8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 20

As a soloist and ensemble musician, pianist Bridget Convey has been heard

throughout the U.S. performing music of diverse periods and styles. In celebration

of the 101st anniversary of the birth of the influential composer John Cage,

Convey will perform the complete “Sonatas and Interludes” for prepared piano.

The performance will feature a visual premiere by video artist Hillary Tozier.

Ticket A

• Old-Fashioned Outdoor Band Concert

1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28

On The Green outside of Corthell Hall, USM Gorham Campus (In case of rain:

Brooks Student Center)

The 11

picnic at noon, available at old-fashioned prices! Bring the whole family, the lawn

chairs, and an appetite for an old New England experience, conducted by Peter

Martin, USM professor of Music.

This performance is sponsored by ARAMARK.

Free

October

• Master Class with Delores Ziegler, mezzo-soprano

2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4

American mezzo-soprano Delores Ziegler has been heralded as “the mezzo we

have been waiting for” by the “Los Angeles Times.” Her career takes her to every

major theater in the world and into collaboration with the great directors and

conductors of our time.

Free

• The Beautiful B’s: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms

8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18

Laura Kargul, USM professor of Music and director of Keyboard Studies,

will perform some of the most dazzling works written for piano by the

hallowed “Three Bs.” Thrilling and enthralling, Beethoven’s “Waldstein

Sonata” and Brahms’ “Variations on a Theme by Handel” incorporate

pyrotechnical techniques that rival those of Chopin and Liszt. Rounding out

the Bs, Kargul will delight with two preludes and fugues from Bach’s “WellTempered Clavier,” Book I.

This performance is sponsored by Dr. Dahlia and Arthur L. Handman.

Ticket A

• USM Wind Ensemble

2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20

The USM Wind Ensemble, conducted by Peter Martin, USM professor of

Music, is an acclaimed collection of students who have established a tradition of

performing both traditional and experimental combinations. In this performance,

they will exemplify the latter. The ensemble will perform two pieces written

by John Mackey, contemporary American composer, one of which includes a

surprise visual element.

Ticket B

• Master Class with Scott Reeves, trombone

12:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25

Scott Reeves, a former USM School of Music faculty member, is an associate

professor of Music at The City College of New York and a Juilliard School of

Music faculty member. He also is the author of jazz improvisation texts, a noted

performer, recording artist and clinician.

Free

th

annual Old-Fashioned Outdoor Band Concert kicks off with a barbecue

• An Evening of Brahms, Kodály and Others

8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25

William Rounds, USM artist faculty cellist, is a member of the Portland

Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and plays

frequently with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Sayuri Miyamoto, an awardwinning pianist, will accompany Rounds.

Ticket A

• A Concert of Indian and World Music

8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26

After an outstanding collaboration in 2012, Srinivas Krishnan, Indian master

percussionist, will make his second appearance with the USM Composers

Ensemble. Arjun Chandy, Indian vocal coach and singer, will join Krishnan,

who is a frequent collaborator with Indian composer A. R. Rahman (“Slumdog

Millionaire”). Krishnan and Chandy will work with the USM Composers

Ensemble under the direction of Dan Sonenberg, USM associate professor of

Music and resident composer, and will perform pieces from Krishnan’s repertoire.

Free

November

• “CARRIE the musical”

The Maine Premiere!

8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1

2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2

2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3

Based on the novel by Stephen King

Music by Michael Gore; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford; Book by Lawrence D. Cohen

Directed by Edward Reichert

Corthell Concert Hall comes alive with the newly reworked version of this

gripping tale set in present-day Maine. Carrie White is a misfit teen. At school,

she’s bullied by the popular crowd. At home, she’s at the mercy of her loving but

cruelly over-protective mother. But Carrie soon discovers she has a special power,

and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.

This cult prom-queen musical is the perfect recipe of exciting, subversive and

provoking fare for Halloween weekend. “There’s never been a musical like her!”

This production is sponsored by Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution.

Ticket A

• USM Youth Ensembles Fall Instrumental Concert

7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14

Merrill Auditorium, Portland

This annual concert is a wonderful opportunity for Portland’s young musicians to

showcase their talent in a professional venue. This performance includes:

– Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Lehmann;

– Portland Youth Wind Ensemble, conducted by Peter Martin;

– Portland Youth People’s String Consort, conducted by Deborah Dabczynski;

– Portland Youth Junior Orchestra, conducted by Ferdinand Liva

This performance is sponsored by Macy’s.

$8/$5 suggested donation at the door; open seating.

• The New Standard

8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 15

Back in the heyday of jazz, innovative artists turned to the music of Gershwin,

Porter, and Arlen for their inspiration. The resulting style is what is now

known as “the jazz standard.” Today’s jazz musicians draw inspiration from

contemporary rock and popular music. Brent LaCasce, USM faculty member in

Vocal Jazz, and the USM Faculty Jazz Ensemble will present their version of

“The New Standard,” deconstructing and reimagining the music of John Lennon,

Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and Radiohead, to name a few.

Ticket A

• High School Choral Invitational

Unfinished Masterpieces: Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” and

Mozart’s “Requiem”

8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16

Merrill Auditorium, Portland

The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Lehman, USM

associate professor and director of String Studies and Orchestral Activities, and

the University Chorale, conducted by Robert Russell, USM professor of Music,

will host a magnificent concert featuring several area high school chorus groups.

Performing with the University Chorale will be high school students from the

following towns: Gorham, Westbrook, South Portland, Scarborough, Freeport and

Newcastle’s Lincoln Academy.

This performance is sponsored by Macpage LLC and Murray, Plumb & Murray.

$15/$10 suggested donation at the door; open seating.

• USM Jazz Ensemble

7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21

The USM Jazz Ensemble is a student group that epitomizes big band sound,

working under the direction of Christopher Oberholtzer, USM professor of Music

and director of Jazz Studies. The ensemble will perform traditional swing music,

as well as innovative compositions and arrangements.

Ticket B

• USM Vocal Jazz Ensembles

8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22

The USM Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a chamber-sized group of students who work

under the direction of Brent LaCasce, USM faculty member in Vocal Jazz. The

ensemble will perform intricate arrangements of jazz standards, as well as pieces

written specifically for vocal jazz ensembles. Per the ensemble’s custom, the

performance will include improvised vocal solos.

Ticket B

• USM Opera Workshop

8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23

Each semester, students studying Musical Theatre join the USM Opera Workshop

and work under the direction of Ellen Chickering, USM professor of Voice. The

group will perform in costume, featuring a variety of pieces from well-known

operas, along with piano accompaniment.

Ticket B

• USM Concert Band

2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24

McCormack Performing Arts Center, 41 Morrill Avenue, Gorham

The USM Concert Band, a student ensemble conducted by Peter Martin, USM

professor of Music, will perform John Mackey’s “Aurora Awakens.” Tim Burns,

conducting associate, will the lead the band on an additional piece.

Ticket B sold at the door; open seating.

December

• Joyous Sounds for a Festive Season

7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3

Williston-Immanuel United Church, Portland

The USM Chamber Singers is the university’s premiere a capella ensemble. The

group will perform a variety of holiday classics in their spirited annual tradition,

conducted by Robert Russell, USM professor of Music.

This performance is sponsored by Norway Savings Bank.

$12 suggested donation at the door; open seating

• 23rd Annual Scholarship Gala

La Stagione della Luce Veneziana: A Venetian Season of Light

5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6

Abromson Community Education Center, USM Portland campus

A glittering return to the warmth of the holiday season! Enjoy an elegant evening

in support of scholarships for USM School of Music students. A Venetian Season

of Light includes hors d’oeuvres, champagne, a festive holiday banquet and

tableside serenading. Along with live performances from USM’s acclaimed

student ensembles, the gala features a centerpiece concert and live auction.

The gala is sponsored by Portland Volvo.

Reservations are required; $90 per person; $150 per person to enroll on the Host

Committee.

For tickets and information, call Binney Brackett at (207) 780-5003 or

email brackett@usm.maine.edu.

• USM Composers Showcase Concert

8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7

The USM Composers Ensemble is a group of students who work collaboratively

to create original music under the direction of Dan Sonenberg, USM associate

professor of Music and resident composer. A semester of writing and rehearsing

culminates with this final Showcase Concert, which will feature completely

original work.

Free

• Graduate Showcase Concert

2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8

Current USM School of Music graduate students will be featured in solo

performances under the direction of Ellen Chickering, USM professor of Voice.

Free

• USM Youth Ensembles Vocal Concert

7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12

This annual concert brings together the Southern Maine Youth Chorale,

conducted by Shannon Chase, and the Southern Maine Children’s Choir,

conducted by Paul McGovern.

This performance is sponsored by Macy’s.

Ticket B

Copy the Story Link