The University of Lethbridge has long been known for producing an outstanding collection of musical concerts. One of the greatest strengths of the U of L is that its concerts appeal to a wide-range of tastes, pleasing audiences young and old alike. Following are a selection of concerts that promise to please any ear.
Mar. 14 | P.A.S. Day of Percussion
As the name suggests, this is a whole day of percussion clinics, workshops and concerts featuring Dr. John Wooton, DCI world champion snare drummer and steel drum artist; Tyler Hornby a set drummer from Calgary and Adam Mason with the U of L Global Drums. The day, organized by Mason, also includes the High School Percussion Ensemble Festival and is open to students and adults alike. For more information call Mason at 403-329-2695.
Mar. 23 | Stars to Love
The Lethbridge Symphony, Vox Musica,
U of L Opera Workshop, and guest soloists combine to present a spectacular evening of well-loved opera choruses, arias and overtures.
The Lethbridge Symphony consists of more than 60 student, professional, and community musicians and the 100-voice strong Vox Musica includes a mix of students and community singers. Special guests on the program are mezzo-soprano Dr. Sandra Stringer, tenor Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, and baritone John Conlon.
"We are also pleased to feature several of the voice majors at the U of L: Krysta Mellon, Acacia Doktorchik, Rachel Sinnott, Audrina Poepping and Joseph Bulman," says LSO conductor Glenn Klassen. "The U of L Opera Workshop, under the direction of Dr. Blaine Hendsbee, is also participating."
Tickets for the Lethbridge Symphony concert on Mar. 23 at 8 p.m. in Southminster United Church are available from the Ticket Centre by calling 403-329-7328.
April 3 | U of L Wind Orchestra
The U of L wind Orchestra, conducted by Glenn Klassen, presents its end of the semester concert on April 3 at 8 p.m. in Southminster United Church. The featured guest is Trudi Mason on trumpet, playing the Arutiunian trumpet concerto. The program also includes Copland's El Salon Mexico, The Sword and the Crown by Edward Gregson and Symphony No. 3 by Vittorio Giannini.
March 28 | Into the Light
The U of L Singers, conducted by Dr. Janet Youngdahl, invite audiences "Into the Light' with an evening of song on Mar. 28, 8 p.m. in Southminster Church.
"The concert takes its title from Eric Whitacre's extraordinary Lux Arumque, which we are excited about performing," says Youndahl.
The into the light theme continues with several Easter related works, including passion motets by Renaissance masters Orlando Di Lasso and Carlo Gesualdo, and the performance of Bach Cantata #4 Christ lag in Todesbanden, with organist Chellan Hoffman as special guest.
The concert also includes the premiere of a brand new work written in 2009 by
U of L music major Jesse Plessis entitled The Bend in the Road, which features guest percussionists. Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is represented by his 1989 Magnificat and the concert concludes with spring songs by William Byrd and Robert Burns and several spirituals arranged by William Dawson, including Every Time I feel the Spirit and Ain'-a That Good News.
April 8 | Time Being
Great Jazz by Herbie Hancock, Bob Marley, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra is the focus of the U of L Jazz Ensemble concert Time Being, Apr. 8 at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre.
"Our featured guest is drummer Tyler Hornby from Calgary," says director David Renter. "Tyler is a versatile drummer with a great melodic sense combined with taste, control and rhythmic finesse. It's a great opportunity for our students to perform with Tyler and our audience will enjoy the experience, too."
Tickets
Concert tickets for the U of L Singers, U of L Wind Orchestra, and U of L Jazz
Ensemble are $15 regular and $10 student/senior and are available at the U of L Box Office by calling 403-329-2616. Tickets are also available at the door for concerts in Southminster United Church.