Concerts, Guest Artists, Exhibitions, Talks and Recitals
Opening event - Classical Faculty Recital
Sunday, November 3, 2024, 2:30pm
Multimedia Studio, Room 107 Wildeman Building, 360 Freedom Way
This season's opening concert features our classical performance faculty in recital.
Program includes:
Beethoven - An die ferne Geliebte
Debussy - Prelude to the afternoon of a Faun
Akiho - Amethyst (from Seven Pillars)
Holland - Rebounds for bass clarinet and marimba
Castelnuovo-Tedesco - Fantasia, opus 145 for Guitar and Piano
Performers: Alde Calongcagong, Jason Grossi, Matthew Grossi, Mike McNamara, Nicholas Papador, Trevor Pittman, Jordan Smith, Jennifer Swanson,
Dr. Nicholas Papador and the Heartland Marimba Quartet
Vessels of Song PASIC Preview Concert and Book Launch:
The Precedents and Creation of Klezmer Suites for Mallet Ensemble
November 12, 2024, 7:30pm Performance Hall, Armouries, 353 Freedom Way
Dr. Nicholas Papador and the world-class Heartland Marimba Quartet (HMQ) will perform and discuss selections from Papador's collection of klezmer suites for mallet percussion entitled Vessels of Song. The presentation will provide a precedent for klezmer performance on mallet instruments through contributions of a small but significant line of performers. Michel Józef Guzikow built his own instrument, the ‘stroyfidl,’ a xylophone prototype. His tour of Western Europe in the 1830s was a catalyst for the development of the orchestral xylophone. After the Ashkenazi immigration to North America, klezmer underwent a diasporic transformation as its musicians explored jazz and popular music. Joseph Moskowitz elevated the role of dulcimer instruments in New York and Jacob Hoffmann recorded as a xylophone soloist with the Kandel Orchestra in the 1920s. Furthermore, attendees will hear and learn about enjoyable new ensemble literature with poignant historical and cultural significance. The program includes music from Papador's new arrangements: The Forebearers Suite, The Philadelphia Suite, The New York Suites (#1 & #2), and the Ukrainian Suite.
Percussionist and composer Nicholas Papador is Full Professor at the University of Windsor School of Creative Arts in Ontario, Canada. Heartland Marimba Publications released his book Vessels of Song: A Collection of Klezmer Suites for Mallet Ensemble in early 2024. Papador has presented internationally at events such as The Space Between, Transplanted Roots, Puerto Rico Conservatory International Percussion Festival, and PASIC. His recording credits include Marimba Collage (2022) and Points of Departure (2015). Additionally, he was an on-screen performer in Matthew Barney’s six-hour film opera, River of Fundament.
Since its inception in 2016, HMQ has performed at over 250 concerts nationwide. HMQ offers a broad platform for the music of American and international composers. The ensemble’s four members — Matthew Coley, Ryan Pearson, Marco Schirripa, and Hunter Gross — form a virtuosic and electrifying ensemble. HMQ has been featured as soloists with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Cheyenne Symphony, Minot Symphony, the University of Nebraska-Omaha Wind Ensemble, Millikin University Percussion Ensemble, and the International Marimba Orchestra. In 2022, HMQ was a featured guest artist at the World Marimba Competition in Stuttgart, Germany. The quartet released their debut album, VISION, in 2019 and is featured on other albums by Schirripa and Coley. Dedicated to bringing marimba performance to all communities, especially those underserved, HMQ provides numerous opportunities for artists, composers, and students at various stages of their careers. In line with this mission, HMQ was awarded a grant from New Music USA in 2020 and launched the New Quartets Project Consortium, commissioning six women composers. HMQ is committed to enriching the musical landscape and inspiring audiences through performance and community engagement.
This lecture/recital event is free and open to the public
University Wind Ensemble - Tone Poems and the Dramatic Stories Behind the Music
Friday, November 29, 2024, 7:30pm
Capitol Theatre, 121 University Ave. W.
The Wind Ensemble performance begins with an opening fanfare, A Festival Prelude, by Alfred Reed. The remainder of the first half of the program will feature orchestral transcriptions for wind ensemble. The Water Music Suite by George Frideric Handel was a response to King George I's request for a concert on the River Thames and Overture to Rienzi was Richard Wagner’s 3rd completed opera. The story of the great ship “Titanic” was much in the news the past year. Swiss composer Stephan Jaeggi scored his tone poem Titanic: Dramatische Fantasie in 1927. Not to be confused with the 1997 movie of the same name, this composition, like all tone poems, tells the story of the fateful maiden voyage. Jim Curnow’s Canticle of the Creatures follows and is inspired by the writings of Saint Francis of Assisi. The suite succeeds in expressing his love for peace and his respect for all creatures. Each movement is a short tone poem that uses the modern wind ensemble as the vehicle for creating spectacular musical images. Borrowing from the influences of Wagner and the use of tone poems as a medium, John Williams has distinguished himself as both a musical storyteller and a master of the dramatic motif. John Williams: The Symphonic Marches is a perfect example of these compositional elements and includes among others in an Olympic year, the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Fanfare & Theme.
University Jazz Ensemble
Saturday, November 30, 2024, 7:30pm
Capitol Theatre, 121 University Ave. W.
Enjoy an evening with the University Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Robert Fazecash. This ensemble is comprised of current music students and augmented with some alumni. In addition to the ensemble, the concert will feature instrumental and vocal soloists performing a wide variety of styles from jazz legends and popular songwriters.
Songs of the Season (Festival of Christmas)
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 7:30pm
Assumption Church
Join our School of Creative Arts choirs as well as guest performers from the School of Dramatic Art for a performance of seasonal favourites and a dramatic "radio show" production of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."
Dr. Philip Adamson, piano - Moments Musicaux
Saturday, January 25, 2025, 7:30pm
Performance Hall, SoCA Armouries, 353 Freedom Way
Join Dr. Adamson for a solo piano recital featuring Schubert's Moments musicals, D. 780 and Rakhmaninov's Moments musicaux, Op. 16.
Third Annual Jazz Faculty Recital - featuring Shahida Nurullah
Sunday, February 2, 2025, 2:30pm
Capitol Theatre, 121 University Ave. W.
Join our incredible jazz performance faculty for the third annual performance. This year we will focus on some great vocal tunes, sung by our favourite jazz singer, Shahida Nurullah.
Alumni Recital - Dr. Ross Osmun, piano
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 7:30pm
Performance Hall, SoCA Armouries, 353 Freedom Way
Alumnus Dr. Ross Osmun returns to the School of Creative Arts in a solo piano recital. Dr. Osmun will also be holding a piano masterclass for our students. Details to be announced.
Jazz Cabaret, featuring the University Jazz Ensemble
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 7:30pm
Alumni Auditorium, CAW Student Centre, University Main Campus.
Join the university jazz ensemble for a concert set of great arrangements followed by a great set of favourite jazz tunes that will set your feet tapping and get you on the floor dancing. Light refreshments served with a cash bar.
Alumni Weekend!
Alumni Wind Ensemble Concert
Friday, April 4, 2025, 7:30pm
Capitol Theatre, 121 University Ave. W.
Join the University Wind Ensemble for this wind concert, including a performance by a massed ensemble including our alumni over the years. Alumni, watch for more details for how you can be a part of this event!
Alumni Choir Concert
Sunday, April 6, 2025, 2:30pm
Capitol Theatre, 121 University Ave. W.
Ring in Spring with a powerful concert of choir selections and a massed choir singing Carl Orff's famous work, Carmina Burana. Performance will include the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus and choir alumni are encouraged to join and sing this amazing work. Watch for more details about rehearsals and how to participate.