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5 Picks for Live Entertainment in the Valley

Mail Tribune – Posted December 2, 2016

SOU Chamber and Concert Choirs

The Southern Oregon University choirs, directed by Paul French, will present “Ancient Nova,” a program of secular and sacred holiday music, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, in the Music Recital Hall, 405 S. Mountain Ave., on the SOU campus in Ashland. Look for music by American composers Erik Whitacre and Alvin Trotman, Korean composer Hyo-Won Woo and arrangements of traditional carols. Tickets are $10, $5 for seniors, and can be purchased online at oca.sou.edu/box-office or by calling 541-552-6348. Students get in free.

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SOU Percussion Ensembles CDs Reviewed in Percussive Notes

Percussive Notes Vol. 54, No. 5 –  Published November 2016

 

Electric Rebel Poetry

Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles
Terry Longshore, Director
Self-Released

This recording features the music of Bryan Jeffs, Mark Applebaum, Collin Malloy, Hikaru Sawai, and Jeff Richmond. The performance by the SOUPE is exceptional and musically inspiring. Highlights include Mark Applebaum’s “30” for percussion soloist, quartet, and septet. The piece is every-
thing we have to come expect from this incessantly creative composer. Layered soundscapes and complex rhythms flourish throughout the performance of this fascinating work. Sawai’s “Yume no Wa,” arranged by Collin Malloy, is a delightful work played beautifully by the ensemble. And the last track, “Sex, Drugs, and Poetry” by Richmond is a delightful contemporary jazz piece for percussion ensemble. This is a truly magnificent recording by the Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles and Terry Longshore. I highly recommend it.

—Brett William Dietz

 

La Alma Del Ábol

Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles
Terry Longshore – Director
Self Released

This is another great recording by SOUPE and Terry Longshore. It features performances of Chris Burton Jácome, Alport Mhlanga, Christopher Deane, Nigel Westlake, Bryan Jeffs, and Peter Garland. The first track, “La Alma del Álma, la Resonancia de una Rama,” is a Flamenco piece with gorgeous guitar playing by the composer, Jácome. The performances of Deane’s “Vespertine Formations” and Westlake’s “Omphalo Centric Lecture” are incredibly musical and precise. “A Maroon Hog’s Rebel Frog” by Jeffs hints at several distinct musical styles including reggae, funk and rock, and Garland’s “Apple Blossom” is delightfully well performed by the ensemble. The Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles have produced another solid recording of new music and well-known percussion ensemble standards. Longshore’s musical leadership of this group is phenomenal, and I look forward to more recordings from this group.

—Brett William Dietz

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Diving Into the Musica Matrix

Ashland Daily Tidings – Posted Nov 17, 2016

Director and mezzo soprano O’Scannell pairs with lutenist James Bishop-Edwards performing the works of English Renaissance giant John Dowland’s songbook. He was a pioneer in writing highly personal and moving lyrics for his music, says O’Scannell. The show is entitled “Come Again: John Dowland First Book of Songs.”

Learn more about ‘Come Again’ on the full article.

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Sounds of Crater Lake

Mail Tribune

Posted Jul. 29, 2016

The moods of Crater Lake, from the explosive sounds of its creation to the gentle stillness of a winter morning, were evoked this morning in the world premiere of a musical composition called “Natural History.” The setting couldn’t have been more natural, the open spaces at The Watchman, which overlooks Crater Lake, the focus of the work by New York City composer Michael Gordon. The work was commissioned by Britt Music & Arts Festival, and Gordon spent time visiting Crater Lake National Park last summer and winter to develop an appreciation for the lake and its history.

Learn more about the ‘Sounds of Crater Lake’ on the full article.

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Britt Orchestra Celebrates National Park Service Anniversary

Source Weekly

Posted Jul. 20, 2016

Established in 1902, Crater Lake is the fifth oldest national park and Oregon’s only national park. Its stunning blue water has inspired awe in nature enthusiasts, artists, and photographers from all over the world. On July 29, the Britt Orchestra and Music Director Teddy Abrams will introduce music lovers to the majesty of the park with the world premier of Michael Gordon’s composition, “Natural History.”

Learn more about the National Park Service Anniversary celebration on the full article.