Time to take out your calendar and make a note of what you just don’t want to miss from our Winter 2015 Performance Season.
Mid-January brings four opportunities to see one of the very finest comic operas ever written, The Pirates of Penzanceby the much loved Gilbert and Sullivan. It’s a masterpiece of charm and wit that transcends its time and continues to delight audiences.This really is a "don’t-miss," with performances from January 15 to 18. Come twice if you can! The show is double cast with our wonderful OU voice students.
On Saturday,January 17 OU alum and jazz violinist extraordinaire Regina Carter is back to play with the Oakland Jazz Quartet, Miles Brown, Sean Dobbins, Scott Gwinnell and Mark Stone, all of them quite extraordinary in their own right.They will offer a concert of Jimi Hendrix music. Yep! Jimi through a jazz filter. Please note a late change of venue for this concert. It will be at the Carr Center, 311 East Grand River in Detroit.
There is something new this year from our dancers. From January 22 through January 24 you will have four opportunities to catch the Detroit Dance Artists Showcase. Oakland dancers will perform the work of rising local choreographers from such companies as Eisenhower Dance and Take Root.
February opens with the first of this year’s theatre production, A Doll’s House, running from February 5 until February 15. It’s a classic that marks a milestone on the long path of changing attitudes to women's roles in society. Perhaps everyone should see it at least once. The February 7 show is platform zone interpreted for the Deaf by Synergy-on-Stage.
On February 6 and 7, dance company-in-residence, Take Root, will welcome special guest alum Rodney Brown and his company, The Brown Dance Company. It’s bound to be a night of innovative creations.
Sunday, February 8 is a date every music lover will want to note. The world renowned Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio will play an all-Beethoven performance in Varner Hall. For this event we recommend you purchase your tickets in advance.
Just one week later, on Sunday, January 15, the Oakland Symphony Orchestra will perform its fourth concert of the season. This event will also feature solo performances by the winners of the 2014-2015 Oakland University Concerto Competition in the 18th Annual David Daniels Young Artists Concert. Don’t miss Hannah Bossner (piano) playing Piano Concerto No. 1 in g minor, op. 25 - Mendelssohn; Molly Bruner (soprano) "Lady with a Hand Mirror Aria” from A Postcard from Morocco - Argento; Mark Hosseini (bass) “The Trumpet Shall Sound” from Messiah – Handel; Heather Neuenschwander (flute) Concerto for Flute and Orchestra - Ibert; and Alyssa Primeau (flute) Carmen Fantasie – Borne.
The Meadow Brook Estate Senior Showcase is an annual event which is always joyful and fun, because the musical theatre seniors are on their way to New York to display their talents for agents and casting directors. This is your chance to see the songs, dances and scenes they have prepared. Join us on February 19 for your chance to preview the New York show.
On March 15, Quintet Attacca will play in Varner Recital Hall, along with Panayis Lyras on piano. The quintet is known for innovative programming that is both accessible and cutting-edge.
The fourth theatrical production of the year is the classic and romantic musical She Loves Me with book by Joe Masteroff, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and music by Jerry Bock. The show opens on Thursday, March 19 and runs until March 29. The performances on Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.and Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m. will be shadow-signed for the Deaf by Synergy-on-Stage.
Towards the end of the semester, the Oakland Symphony Orchestra has planned a Detroit Residency. On March 29 they will play in the historic Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit, where they will be joined by guest organist, Jeremy David Tarrant. On April 1 they will perform at the Orchestra Hall. This year, the concert will be "A Tribute to Morten Lauridsen," featuring performances by the Oakland Symphony, Oakland University Symphony Chorus and Oakland University Wind Symphony. Morten Lauridsen will attend.
The world music program will welcome guest Haruna Walusimbi in April. Mr. Walusimbi is one of Uganda’s most celebrated musicians. He will perform in three concerts, all sponsored by The Judd Family Endowed Fund, April 10 at 10 am and 8 pm; and April 11. The Friday morning concert is especially for kids, and group discounts are available.
The University Chorus and the Oakland Chorale will give their always popular end-of-the-semester concerts on April 17 and April 18. Please note that these concerts are off-campus at University Presbyterian Church.
On April 20, we will celebrate our year and honor our outstanding students at the 16th Annual MaTilDa Awards. This is an exciting “red carpet” style event and everyone is welcome to attend. We will have more information soon. Please keep checking the website.
Finally, we want to remind you that throughout the semester, our various ensembles and studios have recitals planned. Some of these events are free. We can’t bring all of them to your attention, but they are listed in our brochure and many of them feature outstanding musicianship. Some of them showcase the dedication and hard work of our students as they strive to grow as artists. That itself can be inspiring to see and hear. And an audience can be an inspiration to a developing artist. Thank you for your support of our students. And enjoy!
Our full schedule is at oakland.edu/mtd. Click on Performances.
Photos:
Top: The 2014-2015 Oakland University Concerto Competition winners: (l-r) Hannah Bossner, Alyssa Primeau, Mark Hosseini, Heather Neuenschwander and Molly Bruner. Photo by Jessica Boone, JL Boone Photography
Lower: The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. Photo by Christian Steiner
Created by Gillian Ellis (gellis@oakland.edu) on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 Modified by Gillian Ellis (gellis@oakland.edu) on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 Article Start Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2015
