making a differenceDepartment of music faculty, stuDents & alumni

Fall 2013

pre · viewNotes volume I, no. 1 Fall 2013

on the coverKari avolis ‘12 (B.M., music education) and Grant EmErson ‘08 (B.A., music) are two alumni making a difference. Catch up with them on page 11.

message from the chair

The Department of Mu-

sic at UNCW is fortunate

in its location, its weath-

er, the quality of its stu-

dents, faculty, staff, and

certainly, the accomplish-

ments of our alumni. In

each issue of our news-

letter, we will highlight

how our faculty make a difference in their pro-

fession as musicians and teachers, as well as

how our students make a difference as colle-

gians, and after graduation, as professionals in

the field of music, whether in a classroom, or

on a larger stage.

I hope you enjoy reading our newsletter, and

perhaps, have an opportunity to attend and en-

joy our many musical presentations on campus

in the future.

FranK BonGiornochair, department of music

see calendar for details and ticket information

unCW FaCulty/alumnI ShoWCaSe: an evenIng oF Jazz WIth StrIngSsaturday, sept. 27 7:30 pm Beckwith recital Hall

Jazz with strings is inspired by renowned jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker’s strings

recordings and concert performances with strings from 1949-1952, which featured

Parker with some of the finest string musicians in new York performing favorite

standards of the day, such as “summertime,” “What is this thing Called love?”

and “laura.” UnCW’s Jazz with strings program includes many of these composi-

tions as played by Parker, along with other jazz standards and original compositions.

UnCW saxophone professor and music department chair FranK BonGiorno,

and other jazz faculty and alumni, will be featured as soloists throughout the eve-

ning alongside an ensemble of music faculty, alumni and other noted Wilmington

area musicians. Jazz with strings is part of the UnCW Family and alumni Weekend.

a dessert reception follows in Cultural arts lobby, sponsored by UnCW alumni re-

lations. all proceeds from the concert benefit UnCW scholarships in music.

oCean CallIng: a World premIere by meIra WarShauer

thursday, oct. 24 7:30 pm Beckwith recital Hall

acclaimed composer and Wilmington native meira Warshauer premieres her re-

cently completed composition Ocean Calling, a three-movement work for two pia-

nos inspired by Warshauer’s deep connection to the ocean and her commitment

to its preservation. Performed by UnCW Director of Cultural arts and resident pia-

nist norman Bemelmans and Department of music faculty member ElizaBEtH

loParits, the work utilizes the full range of the piano’s sonic capabilities to evoke

the ocean’s varied sounds and moods, including such non-traditional techniques as

plucking, stroking and “bowing” (with glass and horse hair) the strings inside the

instrument. the event also features a display by the Department of marine Biology

in the Cultural arts lobby. Proceeds from this performance will support a new piano

scholarship at UnCW in the memory of mary Eunice troy.

CelebratIng a lIFe In Song: patrICIa aInSpaC, nanCy KIng, emery StephenSsunday, oct. 27 4:00 pm Beckwith recital Hall

Join PatriCia ainsPaC (piano), nanCY KinG (soprano) and guest artist Emery

stephens (baritone) to celebrate Patricia ainspac’s contribution to voice students at

UnCW and to the southeastern north Carolina arts community. the recital features

robert schumann’s Frauenliebe und Leben and Dichterliebe and marks the retire-

ment of ainspac, UnCW vocal coach (see page 11).

hIndemIth 50th annIverSary CelebratIon

saturday, nov. 16 7:30 pm Beckwith recital Hall

UnCW faculty members DaniEl JoHnson (tuba), BarrY DaviD salWEn (pia-

no), CHristoPHEr JoHns (cello) and special guests celebrate Hindemith’s 50th

anniversary and perform selections by the innovative German composer and more.

unCW ChoIrS WIth Chamber enSemble

sunday, nov. 17 7:30 pm

Conducted by JoE HiCKman (director of choral activities), UnCW Choirs and cham-

ber ensemble perform the Beethoven Mass in C Major, Op. 86, which students will

also perform during the spring semester choral workshop in st. Pölten, austria.

unCW 4th annual honor band FeStIval

thursday-saturday, Dec. 5-7, 2013 mainstage theatre

Directed by JoHn laCoGnata (director of bands, trumpet), this

year’s festival for high school band students features guest con-

ductor matthew Edwards, director of bands at Fuquay-varina High

school. the festival includes three days of rehearsals, master class-

es, campus tours and concerts. Friday’s concert is by UnCW Wind

symphony and Chamber Winds, with solo performances by mem-

bers of the faculty. saturday’s concert is by the two high school

bands (teal Band and Blue Band). this year, the festival will be held

in the Cultural arts Building’s mainstage. seating will be limited, so

come early! members of UnCW Wind symphony assist with sec-

tionals and rehearsals and provide logistical assistance for all as-

pects of the festival. members of the wind, percussion and brass

faculty give master classes, hear auditions, and perform.

ahmal and the nIght vISItorS

saturday, Dec. 7 8:00 pm Kenan auditorium

sunday, Dec. 8 2:00 pm Kenan auditorium

Wilmington symphony orchestra, UnCW opera outreach Project

and UnCW Chamber Choir present a fully staged holiday concert

performance of Gian Carlo menotti’s holiday classic – a warm and

compassionate story that is one of the most popular of american

operas, it was also the first opera written expressly for television.

a truly collaborative effort, the opera includes faculty members

stEvEn ErrantE, conductor; nanCY KinG, UnCW opera

outreach Project director; JoE HiCKman, UnCW Chamber Choir

director; featuring guest artist sara Westermark as the mother and

introducing Carson Holmes and sanya shah as amahl.

unCW Flute enSembleS FeStIvalthursday-saturday, Jan. 23-25

saturday, Jan. 25 4:00 pm Beckwith recital Hall

Directed by marY Jo WHitE (flute), this annual event is open to

high school flutists, providing an opportunity for high school musi-

cians to hone their skills with UnCW flute students and faculty in

rehearsals, workshops, and a concluding concert.

unCW pIano day

saturday, Feb. 8 time tBa Cultural arts Building

Directed by BarrY salWEn (piano), this annual event is open

to piano teachers and students aged 12-17, and includes master

classes, workshops and more.

Stay tuned For more eventS:unCW piano day, master classes, and more)www.uncw.edu/happenings · uncwmus@uncw.edu

photos, opposite page, clockwise: Joe Hickman, Jennifer Giordano and ashley Beavis;

Kennith Watts; Chancellor Gary miller with holiday carolers

neW muSIC FeStIval

sunday-tuesday, Feb. 2-4

Film, recitals, workshops and master classes.

co-sponsored by the departments of music, anthropology, film studies, the women’s studies and resource center, asian studies, and the office of cultural arts.

New Music Festival: Returning Souls sunday, Feb. 2 7:30 pm King Hall auditorium

a screening of the film Returning Souls by award-winning anthro-

pologist and filmmaker Hu tai-li, original film score written by new

music Festival guest shih-Hui Chen; includes a performance by De-

partment of music violin instructor DaniJEla ŽEŽElJ-GUalDi, of

the solo violin piece, Returning Souls: Four Short Pieces on Three

Formosan Amis Legends, adapted from the original film score.

New Music Festival: Duo Sureño and the Ryoanji Duo: works by David Kechley

monday, Feb. 3 7:30 pm Beckwith recital Hall

the evening features Waking Sparrows: Five Haiku Songs,

commissioned and performed by Duo sureño (nanCY KinG,

soprano and roBErt natHanson, guitar), Points of Departure:

Five Pieces for Guitar and Saxophone, commissioned and

performed by the ryoanji Duo (FranK BonGiorno, saxophone,

and roBErt natHanson, guitar) and Voices from the Garden,

commissioned by the north Carolina Guitar Quartet, (Ed stephenson,

JUstin HoKE, Chris Wear and robert nathanson). David Kechley,

formerly of UnCW, is professor of music at Williams College in

Williamstown, mass.

New Music Festival: Works by Shih-Hui Chen and Meira Warshauer

tuesday, Feb. 4 7:30 pm Beckwith recital Hall

the world premiere of an untitled piece written by shih-Hui Chen

for flute and guitar, performed and commissioned by UnCW De-

partment of music faculty marY Jo WHitE (flute) and roBErt

natHanson (guitar) and a performance of Ocean Calling (for two

pianos) written by meira Warshauer, another guest of the new mu-

sic Festival and performed by norman Bemelmans and ElizaBEtH

loParits.

32nd annual gueSt artISt Jazz FeStIval

thursday, march 27 - saturday, march 29

Concerts begin at 7:30 pm Beckwith recital Hall

Directed by JEralD sHYnEtt, JazzFest will feature special

guests Greg Gisbert (trumpet) and Barry Greene (guitar) with per-

formances by UnCW jazz faculty and student ensembles. in the

past, JazzFest has reached out to high school jazz bands. the 2014

festival will follow the model of Honor Band Festival and invite indi-

vidual high school jazz musicians from across north Carolina to per-

form in the UnCW Jazz Festival Honor Band.

re · view a glance back

Faculty showcases were among the highlights of the spring 2013 semester,

including the UnCW Jazz Faculty on Jan. 31 with Jason Foureman (bass), michael

D’angelo (drums), Bob russell (guitar), Jerald shynett (trombone), mike Waddell

(tenor saxophone, clarinet), andy Whittington (piano). the atlantean trio – comprised

of BarrY DaviD salWEn (piano), abigail van steenhuyse (violin), richard thomas

(cello) – performed on march 23. Dr. Joe Hickman led UnCW Chamber Choir with

the 17-member north Carolina Baroque orchestra performing on period instruments

in Bach’s St. John Passion march 17, which also featured tenor mattHEW tallEY

‘12 (B.m., performance). Hickman adds: “this was a very important event for us and

i am excited to have had the opportunity to work with the north Carolina Baroque

orchestra. the period instruments add a dimension of transparency to the sound

texture, allowing the music to ‘speak the words’ in a way that is more difficult with

modern instruments.”

a collaboration between the Department of music and the Cameron art museum

created a unique opportunity for audiences in southeastern north Carolina to

broaden their musical experiences. Established by roBErt natHanson (classical

guitar) and Daphne Holmes (curator of public programs, Cameron art museum),

Pro musica is a series of concerts focused on newly composed music. new music

incorporates different styles of music, including what is considered avant-garde,

but is much more accessible harmonically and rhythmically than the majority of

music from 1920–90. along with classical styles, it can include elements of

rock, jazz and ethnic music, atonality, impressionism, romanticism, surrealism,

experimentation, computer generated sounds and minimalism. nathanson views

Pro musica as fulfilling an obligation to encourage living composers. “if i were doing

this in 1812 instead of 2012,” he says, “i would be commissioning and playing the

music of Beethoven.” Pro musica, held at the Cameron art museum, provides an

opportunity for the department to engage with the community outside of campus,

and in a wonderfully appropriate setting. the December recital featured stEvEn

ErrantE’s (theory coordinator, Wilmington symphony orchestra conductor)

Sonata for Violin and Piano, with DaniJEla ŽEŽElJ-GUalDi (violin) and husband

Paolo andré Gualdi (piano); nathanson also performed on the recital. the march

recital featured compositions by David Kechley for saxophone, voice, and classical

guitar, with (respectively) FranK BonGiorno, nanCY KinG, and nathanson.

in February, BarrY salWEn, BarBara FUrr, ElizaBEtH loParits, anDY

WHittinGton hosted more than 25 piano students and teachers at the annual

UnCW Piano Day. activities included faculty performances, master class, and class-

es on piano literature and jazz.

Directed by JEralD sHYnEtt (trombone), the 31st annual UnCW Guest artist

Jazz Festival featured three nights of concerts and a day of clinics for high school

jazz ensembles. Held in march, guest artists were Jack Wilkins (director of jazz

studies at the University of south Florida school of music) and Grammy nominee

seamus Blake (saxophone). the festival kicked off with a performance by Wilkins

and the jazz faculty, followed by Friday’s concert by Wilkins and UnCW jazz ensem-

bles. the seamus Blake Quintet closed the festival on saturday night.

re · viewa glance backDirected by DaniEl JoHnson (tuba), tubazalea invites southeast-

ern north Carolina tuba and euphonium players to celebrate low

brass instruments with UnCW students and faculty. this year’s

guest artist was lauren veronie, euphoniumist with the United

states army Field Band, the United states army’s premier touring

ensemble. Joining veronie were faculty members Johnson (tuba),

BarrY DaviD salWEn (piano) and ElizaBEtH loParits (piano).

Directed by nanCY KinG (voice), UnCW opera outreach Project

provides vocal and dramatic operatic training to UnCW and high

school students, community members and young singers in cul-

turally under-served areas, and is committed to fostering the link

between campus and community, and to awakening interest in op-

era locally. in april, UnC-WooP! presented scenes from operas

(including Les Contes d’Hoffman, Orfeo ed Euridice, Iolanthe and

The Merry Wives of Windsor). the collaborative production fea-

tured performances by faculty, voice students, and guest artists,

and involved the talents of many UnCW faculty and staff, including

PatriCia ainsPaC (musical director and accompanist), BEttsY

CUrtis (vocal coach and accompanist), mark sorenson (costume

design, Department of theatre) and tara noland (lighting design,

office of Cultural arts), as well as murray middle school arts stu-

dents and chorus teacher rYan soUtHErlanD ‘08 (B.m., music

education), Wilmington native ronald Holmes (baritone) and topsail

High school sophomore Devann Boyd (soprano). members of the

production also performed and worked with students and teachers

at ogden Elementary school’s arts Day.

the UnCW summer Jazz Workshop has established itself as north

Carolina’s premier jazz summer workshop for high school student

musicians. Directed by FranK BonGiorno, the summer jazz

workshop provides students an opportunity not only to mingle

with and learn from gifted educators and professional performers

on the UnCW faculty, but also to enjoy an intensive week-long

event of music making and jazz study in an intimate and supportive

environment. the workshop covers virtually every aspect of jazz

study and provides ample opportunities to work one-on-one with

jazz faculty and guest artists. the 17th annual workshop, held in

July, was attended by 66 middle and high school students, and

included a concert by the jazz faculty, two student concerts,

master classes, rehearsals, classes in jazz history, music theory,

improvisation, and an awards dinner. Workshop faculty included

miCHaEl D’anGElo, Jason FoUrEman, JoHn laCoGnata,

BoB rUssEll, JEralD sHYnEtt, miKE WaDDEll, anDY

WHittinGton, Kari avolis ‘12 (B.m. music education). staff

included KEnnitH Watts ‘13 (B.a. music), marK WHitFiElD

‘11 (B.m. music education), savannaH Croxton (B.m. music

education), zoë Harris (B.m. music education), niCK sCHaivonE

(B.m. music education). Joining the staff was Jerry lowe (band

director, north lincoln middle school).

outreaCh and CommunIty engagementas part of its mission, the Department of music actively engages

with the community, hosting clinics, competitions, and events for

public schools, students and music associations. Below are some of

the outreach activities in addition to what is mentioned elsewhere.

north Carolina music Educators association East region

jazz clinics and concert

north Carolina music teachers association:

Wilmington District Piano Contest and Festival

Federation of music Clubs Junior Piano Festival

tuba Christmas concerts

Fred Hersch trio jazz master class

High school band clinics:

James Kenan, E. E. smith, Washington-lee high schools

Wake County Collegiate Choral symposium

photos, from top, opposite page

UnCW Choirs, conducted by Joe Hickman

atlantean trio

Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi

JazzFest guest artists seamus Blake and Jack Wilkins

UnCW opera outreach performance: Heather Bobeck

photos, from top, this page

tuba Christmas in myrtle Beach, s.C.

Honor Band Festival students participate in rehearsal

faculty news

missioned to score the accompaniment for full symphony orches-

tra, which premiered in november. His Sonata for Violin and Piano

was performed at the inaugural recital of the Pro musica series (De-

cember 2012, Wilmington).

in september 2012, the UnCW Chamber Choir, directed by

JoE HiCKman (choir) presented at the Wake County Choral

symposium, which featured five collegiate choirs from around

the state and was attended by members of select choirs from the

county’s public high school programs. Chamber Choir members

participated in the annual Blessing of the animals on st. Francis

Day at the Cathedral of st. John the Divine (october 2012, new

York City), joining a choir of more than 250 collegiate and cathedral

singers in a performance with the Paul Winter Consort. Projects

later in the fall featured collaboration with Wilmington symphony

orchestra members at Wesley memorial methodist Church for

Bach’s Cantata 4; choirs performed excerpts of Handel’s Messiah

and John rutter carol arrangements with Wso (December 2012,

Kenan auditorium). in February, members of Chamber Choir joined

Hickman and nancy King (voice) in the choir’s fourth appearance at

laudate Dominum, a professional in-service conference for choral

musicians and church musicians in st. Pölten, austria.

CHris JoHns (cello) presented two recitals with pianist Domo-

nique launey, featuring works by schumann, Beethoven, Proko-

fiev and Kreisler (January 2013, Kenan Chapel, Wilmington). He per-

formed in February at First Presbyterian Church and in the spring

with the tallis Chamber orchestra for Boccherini’s Cello Concerto

in B-flat Major.

DaniEl JoHnson (tuba) gave collaborative presentations at the

30th World Conference of the international society for music Edu-

cation in thessaloniki, Greece: “international Comparative study of

music teachers’ Understanding and Practice of assessment – an

FranK BonGiorno’s DvD Master Class, Basic Reed Mainte-

nance for the Saxophonist, published in the July/august 2012 issue

of the Saxophone Journal, presents basic approaches to remedy

some common reed problems and achieve a better consistency in

reed performance for saxophone.

the ryoanji Duo (FranK BonGiorno and roBErt natHanson)

were selected to perform the premiere of David Kechley’s Points

of Departure, a five-movement piece for saxophone (alto and

soprano) and guitar, at the 16th World saxophone Congress (July

2012, st. andrews, scotland). the duo also recorded Kechley’s

Sea of Stones, a concerto for saxophone and guitar with orchestra,

with the Filharmonia sudecka (may 2012, Walbrzych, Poland). the

recording is scheduled for release this year.

marina DE ratmiroFF (soprano) was named vice-president of

the Wilmington Concert association, continuing as chair of the out-

reach Committee. she performed as the guest artist for the Caro-

lina Philharmonic’s opera Gala with american violinist and compos-

er Daniel Bernard roumain (november, raleigh), in which CVNC,

an online journal for the arts, noted that she “added an iridescent

thread to the texture, especially her gorgeous vocalise.” De rat-

miroff was awarded the chancellor’s Discere aude award for out-

standing Professor and was nominated for the UnCW Fraternity

and sorority Faculty member life award. she performed on several

concerts in the spring and summer, and, for the seventh year, was

on the panel of judges for UnCW Dub idol.

Compositions by stEvEn ErrantE (music theory, Wilmington

symphony orchestra conductor) were performed, including Sing to

the Lord a New Song by the metropolitan symphony Band and the

vanguard voices (Dearborn, mich.) under the direction of Kypros

markou. the work was originally commissioned in 2002 as part of

the “vanguard Premieres” project; last summer, Errante was com-

faculty newscommitting to the journey of learning through shared musical experiences among faculty and students

nual octubaFest, featuring the world premier of Valve Oil by Keith

robinson, Wilmington’s ninth annual tuba Christmas, and myrtle

Beach’s fifth annual tuba Christmas.

JoHn laCoGnata (trumpet) published “Current student assess-

ment Practices of High school Band Directors in the United states,

music assessment across Cultures and Continents” in The Culture

of Shared Practice, Proceedings of the Third International Sympo-

sium on Assessment in Music Education. With Daniel Johnson, he

presented “High Brass tune-Up” at the nCmEa in-service Confer-

ence, (november, Winston-salem). With Daniel Johnson, and Cher-

ry and Bennett from Western Carolina University, laCognata co-

presented a session on “Brass Pedagogy” for the 2012 nCmEa

Bandmaster’s association (november, Winston-salem).

laCognata was adjudicator at: the 15th annual Florida march-

ing Band Championships finals (november, tropicana Field, st. Pe-

tersburg, Fla.); the 2012 south Carolina Band Directors association

2a/4a lower state marching Band Championships, West ashley

High school (october, Charleston, s.C.) the rumble in the Jungle

xvi Band Festival at south view High school (october, Hope mills,

n.C.); the 20th annual Clinton High school Band Day, Clinton High

school (october, Clinton, n.C.); the fifth annual Panther Creek invi-

tational marching Festival, Panther Creek High school (september,

Cary, n.C.).

Under laCognata’s direction, the Department of music present-

ed its first “live-stream” broadcast in December, featuring UnCW

Wind symphony and Chamber Winds in concert. also in Decem-

ber, the UnCW Faculty Brass Quintet performed a recruitment tour

at Whiteville and south view High schools; the quintet also per-

formed at UnCW’s December and may commencements.

laCognata directed the third annual UnCW Honor Band Festival,

with 164 students from 40 high schools; more than 270 student

nominations had been received. Patricia Hughes, Cedar ridge High

Exploratory study” with m. Fautley; “Global Perspectives on ac-

tive music making through orff-schulwerk” in collaboration with

J. Bond, s. Davies-splitter and J. Kotulkova; “How motivation in-

fluences General music Educators’ Classroom Decisions” with

W. matthews; and “music Education and the Creative Economy”

with P. Gouzouasis and J. s. Goble.

Johnson presented a research poster on “integrating music and

literacy instruction for secondary students” with Deborah Powell

of the UnCW Watson College of Education. Working with teachers

from Pender and new Hanover county, results indicate that students

responded positively to integrated subject lessons. He plans to write

and field-test more detailed lessons as an action-research project.

at the nCmEa in-service Conference (november 2012, Winston-

salem), Johnson collaborated with John laCognata (trumpet), and

Dan Cherry and travis Bennett from Western Carolina University

on “Brass tune-Up sessions,” which included demonstration per-

formances for brass quartet. Johnson’s other pedagogy presenta-

tions included: “music and Content integration: Professional Devel-

opment session” at the Watson College of Education; “music the-

ory and Fundamentals Presentations: active listening” at Johnston

Community College, smithfield, n.C.; “Playing with Pa’s Fiddle: an

interdisciplinary Project,” with s. Haefeli at the sixth annual leader-

ship institute, integrated arts Conference (Greeley, Colo.).

Kendall/Hunt published the updated textbook edition of Musical

Explorations: Fundamentals Through Experience, 5th ed.

Johnson attended the international summer Course on Elemen-

tal music and Dance Pedagogy at the Carl-orff institut (salzburg,

austria), and the north american academy of Piping and Drum-

ming (valle Crucis, n.C.).

Performances included Edward Gregson’s Concerto for Tuba

with the UnCW Wind symphony and several orchestra perfor-

mances with the long Bay symphony as principal tuba. Festivals

and performances he directed included: Wilmington’s eighth an-

UNCW Cello Festival Open to cellists of all ages and abilities.$25 registration. Contact Chris Johns, johnsc@uncw.eduGuest artist recital: Elliot Cheney, cello Friday, Sept. 13 7:30 pm BRHUNCW Cello Festival concluding concert Saturday, Sept. 14 7:30 pm BRH

Ray Chen, violin Thursday, Sept. 19 8:00 pm BRHsponsored by the office of cultural arts

TICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

Wilmington Symphony Orchestra Nancy King soprano Saturday, Sept. 21 8:00 pm KATICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

UNCW Faculty/Alumni showcaseAn Evening of Jazz with StringsFriday, Sept. 27 7:30 pm BRHFundraiser for Department of Music scholarships TICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

Chamber Music WilmingtonEinstein: Speaking of MozartBarbara McKenzie and Friends Sunday, Sept. 29 7:30 pm BRHTICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

UNCW Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds Army Ground Forces Band Thursday, Oct. 3 7:30 pm KA

UNCW Jazz Ensemble I Friday, Oct. 4 7:30 pm BRH

Bettsy Curtis piano / Jennifer Muehrcke oboe Saturday, Oct. 5 7:30 pm BRH

Wilmington Symphony Orchestra Danijela Zezelj-Gualdi violin Saturday, Oct. 19 8:00 pm KATICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra Sunday, Oct. 20 4:00 pm KATICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

UNCW Chamber Choir Sunday, Oct. 20 7:30 pm BRH

Jonathan Kuuskoski, Paola Savvidou piano Tuesday, Oct. 22 7:30 pm BRH

Ocean Calling: Meira Warshauer Elizabeth Loparits, Norman Bemelmans piano

co-sponsored by the office of cultural arts

Thursday, Oct. 24 7:30 pm BRHFundraiser for Department of Music scholarships TICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

UNCW OctubaFest Saturday, Oct. 26 7:30 pm BRH

Pat Ainspac: Celebrating A Life in SongSunday, Oct. 27 4:00 pm BRHFree

UNCW String Ensemble Sunday, Oct. 27 7:30 pm BRH

Clifford Leaman, saxophone Wednesday, Oct. 30 7:30 pm BRH

Chamber Music WilmingtonFocus on the Future: Rising Stars – The Music of Rachmaninoff, Haydn and Adams;Attacca String Quartet, Ivan Moshchuk Sunday, Nov. 3 7:30 BRHTICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

UNCW Jazz Combos Thursday, Nov. 7 7:30 pm BRH

Pro Musica: North Carolina Guitar QuartetThursday, Nov. 14 7:00 pm CAM CoNTACT veNUe FoR TICKeTS 910.395.5999

Hindemith 50th anniversary celebrationSaturday, Nov. 16 7:30 pm BRH

Wilmington Symphony Youth OrchestraSunday, Nov. 17 4:00 pm KATICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

UNCW Choirs Sunday, Nov. 17 7:30 pm BRH

UNCW Jazz Ensemble II / Vocal Jazz Ensemble Monday, Nov. 18 7:30 pm BRH

Justin Hoke classical guitar

Wednesday, Nov. 20 7:30 pm BRH

UNCW Jazz Ensemble IFriday, Nov. 22 7:30 pm BRH

UNCW String Ensemble Nov. 24 7:30 BRH

‘

D e pA R T M e N T o F M U S I C FA l l 2 0 1 3

featuredFACULtY / ALUMNI SHOWCASE An Evening of Jazz with Strings

Friday, Sept. 27 7:30 pm BRH

pART OF THE UNCW FAMILy & ALUMNI WEEKEND

$20 geNeRAl pUBlIC

$15 UNCW FACUlTy/STAFF

$15 AlUMNI & pAReNTS oF UNCW STUDeNTS

$5 STUDeNTS WITH vAlID UNCW ID

ADvANCE TICKETS AvAILABLE

Dessert reception follows in Cultural Arts lobby, sponsored by UNCW Alumni Relations.

All proceeds benefit Department of Music scholarships

OCEAN CALLINGA world premiere by Meira Warshauer

Elizabeth Loparits, Norman Bemelmans piano

thursday, Oct. 24 7:30 pm BRH

$20 - 25 geNeRAl pUBlIC

STUDeNTS FRee WITH UNCW ID

ADvANCE TICKETS AvAILABLE

All proceeds benefit Department of Music scholarships

UNCW OCtUBAFESt Saturday, Oct. 26 7:30 pm BRHMarches, polkas, and other seasonal Oktoberfest music performed by special guests, and community and UNCW euphonium and tuba players. If you are interested in participating, contact Daniel Johnson, johnsond@uncw.edu.

UNCW WINd SYMPHONY ANd CHAMBER WINdS Friday, dec. 6 7:30 MSt

pART OF THE UNCW HONOR BAND FESTIvALFeaturing performances by UNCW faculty, guest conductor and more.Note: seating will be limited

AHMAL ANd tHE NIGHt VISItORSWilmington Symphony OrchestraUNCW Opera Outreach ProjectUNCW Chamber ChoirSaturday, dec. 7 7:30 KA

Sunday, dec. 8 4:00 KA

UNCW dEPARtMENt OF MUSIC HONORS RECItAL

Wednesday, dec. 4 7:30 pm

Wednesday, April 30 7:30 pmJoin the Department of Music in a celebration with performances

by outstanding vocal and instrumental students.

LOCATIONSAbbreviationsBRH Beckwith Recital HallCAM Cameron Art MuseumKA Kenan AuditoriumMST Mainstage Theatre

Beckwith Recital Hall and Mainstage Theatre are located in the Cultural Arts building on Randall Drive. Kenan Auditorium is located on the corner of Randall and Wagoner Drives.

TICKETSUnless otherwise listedTickets are $5 general public, free to students with valid UNCW ID.

Advance tickets for these events are not sold unless indicated. Tickets for these events may be purchased at the box office located in the event venue one hour prior to performance.

Tickets are not issued for events listed as free.

ADvANCE TICKET SALESEvents with the note “Contact KA box office” have a different pricing structure and are sold in advance and (when available) at the door one hour prior to performance.

CONTACT INFORMATIONUNCW department of MusicMonday - Friday 8-5 pmwww.uncw.edu/musicuncwmus@uncw.edu · 910.962.3415

Kenan Auditorium Box Officeall advance ticket sales

Monday - Friday 12-6 pm910.962.3500

UpDATESThe events calendar is subject to change. please go online or contact the Department of Music.

JOIN OUR MAILING LISTContact the Department of Music to be added to our email or postal list.

UNCW is an EEO/AA Institution. Accom-modations for disabilities may be requested by contacting the Department of Music at 910 .962.3415 or uncwmus@uncw.edu at least five days prior to the event.

‘

eventsNeW MUsiC Festival

Three days of film, recitals, workshops and master classes. SEE pAGE 3 FOR DETAILS

CO-SpONSORED By THE DEpARTMENTS OF MUSIC, ANTHROpOLOGy, FILM STUDIES, THE WOMEN’S STUDIES AND RESOURCE CENTER, ASIAN STUDIES, AND THE OFFICE OF CULTURAL ARTS.

BrahMs reQUieM: UNCW ChOirsConducted by Joe HickmanElizbeth Loparits, Norman Bemelmans piano

Sunday, Feb. 23 4:00 pm BRH

32nd aNNUal GUest artist Jazz FestivalSpecial guests: Greg Gisbert trumpet, Barry Greene guitar

UNCW jazz faculty and student ensembles

thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29

All concerts begin at 7:30 pm in BRH

UNCW Opera OUtreaCh prOJeCt

Otto Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor

April 2013: dates tBA

Nancy King directs UNCW students, alumni and special guests in German composer Carl Otto Nicolai’s lighthearted take on Shakespeare’s classic comedy.

TICKET ARRANGEMENTS TBA

UNCW BrassFest

Special guests: US Army Brass Quintet

Wednesday, March 19 7:30 pm BRHperforming repertoire from the Renaissance to contemporary music.

D e pA R T M e N T o F M U S I C S p R I N g 2 0 1 4

STAy TUNED!www.uncw.edu/happeningsuncwmus@uncw.edu

UNCW department of Music Honors Recital Wednesday, Dec. 4 7:30 BRH

UNCW honor Band FestivalUNCW Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds Friday, Dec. 6 7:30 MSTBlue and teal Honor Bands high school bands

Saturday, Dec. 7 7:30 MSTNote: seating will be limited for both concerts.

Ahmal and the Night VisitorsWilmington Symphony OrchestraUNCW Opera Outreach ProjectUNCW Chamber ChoirSaturday, Dec. 7 8:00 KASunday, Dec. 8 4:00 KATICKeTS: CoNTACT KA Box oFFICe

tuba Christmas Dec. 8 3:00 Independence MallFree

FaCulty neWS continued

school, Hillsborough, n.C., was guest conductor. the wind, per-

cussion, and brass faculty were involved in auditions and master

classes for the festival. Featured soloists with the UnCW Chamber

Winds were marY Jo WHitE (flute), nanCY KinG (soprano) and

DaniEl JoHnson (tuba). White performed the first movement of

mike mower’s Flute Concerto; King performed Frank ticheli’s An-

gels in the Architecture; Johnson performed the first movement of

the Edward Gregson’s Tuba Concerto.

Performances by ElizaBEtH loParits (piano) included a two-

piano recital with norman Bemelmans in a tribute to liszt (June,

Paks, Hungary); two-piano concert with Bemelmans for the office

of Cultural arts master series “russian romantics” (september

2012, Kenan auditorium); performance of mozart’s Piano Concerto

in G Major, K 453 for the Wilmington symphony orchestra’s sea-

son opening concert (september, Kenan auditorium); UnCW oc-

tubaFest master class and concert collaboration with guest artist

Danny vinson (october 2012, Beckwith recital Hall); flute master

class and performance: collaboration with guest artist nicolas Du-

champ (october, Beckwith recital Hall); faculty recital: collaboration

with mike Waddell (clarinet) and guest artist Constance Waddell

(october, Beckwith recital Hall). in november 2012, her piano stu-

dent won the Wilmington symphony orchestra richard r. Deas Ju-

nior Division student Concerto Competition. in July 2012, loparits

taught at the UnC Greensboro summer Piano Camp.

The Unknown Horowitz: The Man and His Music, by sHErrill

martin (music history) with richard Boursey (Yale University),

was accepted for publication by indiana University Press, and will

be included in their malcolm Brown russian music series. Essays

were contributed by UnCW faculty, including martin, steven Erran-

te, Barry salwen and Joe Kishton (Department of Psychology). mar-

tin gave several presentations on Horowitz, including: “Horowitz as

a Pedagogue” (april 2012, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, maine);

“the Unknown Horowitz: the man and His music,” at the amer-

ican Guild of organists and the american medical society (april

2012); asheville area music teachers Forum (september 2012,

asheville, n.C.); “teaching tips from Piano titans” at the north

Carolina music teachers convention (october 2012, Chapel Hill),

for which Joe DiPiazza, (UnC Greensboro), performed the premiere

of vladimir Horowitz’s Ballade, an unpublished composition discov-

ered by martin in the vladimir Horowitz Papers at Yale University.

JoHn raCK’s (percussion) composition Tango, a solo for five tim-

pani, was accepted for publication by innovative Percussion.

BoB rUssEll (jazz guitar) presented “speaking Jazz to the rock

Guitarist” at the nCmEa in-service Conference (november 2012,

Winston-salem). He presented a clinic on jazz guitar improvisation

at the southeastern Guitar and amp show (september 2012, ra-

leigh). russell performed in the UnCW summer Jazz Workshop

faculty concert, and performed with mike Waddell at the Cameron

art museum (october 2012).

BarrY salWEn (piano) made several appearances with the atlan-

tean Piano trio (abigail van steenhuyse, violin, and former UnCW

faculty member richard thomas, cello) in spring 2013: at UnCW,

Presbyterian College, and on the arts trails chamber series in Flor-

ence, s.C. – the trio’s third engagement on this series, performing

music of Haydn, mendelssohn, and William ryden. salwen contin-

ued his series of opera classes, introducing the met live in HD se-

ries at lumina theatre, along with classes for the osher lifelong

learning institute. operas introduced this season include Handel’s

Guilio Cesare, Les Troyens, Parsifal, and The Tempest, a new work

by British composer thomas adés. salwen also gave the pre-con-

cert lectures for the Wilmington series of the north Carolina sym-

phony; his 30-minute talks preceded each of the five concerts per

season, which presented music from Bach to Brahms to a program

of 20th century Welsh composers. in February 2012, salwen direct-

ed the annual UnCW Piano Day, featuring workshops for piano stu-

dents and teachers, and performances by UnCW faculty.

Palm Coast Jazz included JEralD sHYnEtt’s (trombone) compo-

sition “Exemption” in its october 2012 podcast. His arrangement

of “silent night” was featured on nnenna Frielon’s Christmas CD.

as part of a select group of american technicians, piano technician

BrYnn UlisniK traveled to Hamburg, Germany, in February 2013

to study with concert technicians at the steinway factory.

marY Jo WHitE (flute) collaborated with alisa Gilliam, East Carolina

University pianist and UnCW alumni, in a flute and piano recital (sep-

tember 2012, Beckwith recital Hall), joined by a string trio of abigail

van steenhuyse, Carrie Jackson, and faculty member Chris Johns

for a program of selections by mozart, Piston, and liebermann. in

october 2012, French flutist nicolas Duchamp gave a master class

and concert for the UnCW flute studio and community members.

White and robert nathanson were awarded a Cahill grant of

$3,000 for the 2013–14 school year. their research project includes

the commissioning, performing and recording of a new compo-

sition for flute and guitar by internationally recognized composer

shih-Hui Chen. the premiere is scheduled for UnCW’s new music

Festival in February 2014.

in December, DaniJEla ŽEŽElJ-GUalDi (violin) performed steven

Errante’s Sonata for Violin and Piano with Paolo andré Gualdi (piano)

at the inaugural recital of the Pro musica series. she was featured in

the film Parental Guidance, starring Billy Crystal and Bette midler. in

January, Gualdi began work on a CD with the Balkan Quartet; she is

a founding member of the group, which performs this fall in Georgia

(oxford, savannah and atlanta), Florence, s.C., and with the DeKalb

symphony. she was part of a collaboration with Frank Bongiorno

for his north Carolina Jazz Festival tribute to Charlie Parker (Febru-

ary 2013, Wilmington Hilton). she participated in the south Carolina

Chamber music festival in February and performed in Croatia and it-

aly this summer.

introductionsCatHErinE CrEasY (horn) joined the faculty in august 2013 as applied instructor for horn. she is also the horn instructor at lynchburg Col-lege and sweet Briar College. Creasy received a Bachelor of music in music performance from James madison University, a master of music in music performance from the University of Wisconsin-madison, and is a doctoral student at the University of north Carolina-Greensboro. she has performed with the ashlawn opera orchestra, opera on the James, the Heritage theatre Festival, the shenandoah symphony, the lynchburg symphony, the massanutten Brass Band and the Chamber orchestra of the triangle in raleigh. she was a founder of the mas-sanutten Youth Brass Band in Harrisonburg, va., and teaches at the UnCG summer music Camp.

miCHaEl D’anGElo (drums) joined the faculty in august 2012 as a lecturer in jazz studies and applied instructor for drums. in 2013, he par-ticipated in his 11th consecutive UnCW summer Jazz Workshop (as student, staff and, in 2012-13, as faculty). in 2011, D’angelo was invited to participate in the ravinia Festival’s steans music institute for Jazz, a workshop for rising jazz performers and composers. D’angelo holds a B.m. in instrumental performance from the University of north texas and a master of music in jazz studies from indiana University. at the University of north texas, he performed with the one o’Clock lab Band, which received a Grammy nomination for Best large Jazz Ensemble album for Lab 2009. He has performed throughout the United states and internationally.

Jason FoUrEman (bass) joined the faculty in august 2012 as applied instructor for bass. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of north Carolina at Greensboro, and in 2005, was awarded a teaching assistantship at the University of louisville where he re-ceived his master of music in jazz studies. He has traveled throughout russia, Finland, Estonia, and sweden performing and teaching jazz clinics. in 2006, he was awarded a position in the Betty Carter Jazz ahead program and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Foureman has performed with Cedar Walton, Eric alexander, Corky Hale, Harry Pickens, Jim snidero, Jamey aebersold, Kenny Werner, terri lyne Carrington, Joel Frahm, slide Hampton and Dave leibman, among others.

JUstin HoKE (classical guitar) joined the faculty in august 2013 as applied instructor for classical guitar. He graduated summa cum laude from UnCW in 2007 with a B.m. performance in classical and jazz guitar, where he studied with roBErt natHanson and BoB rUssEll. He received his master of music in classical guitar performance from appalachian state University, and his Doctor of musical arts at Florida state University. awards include winner of the 2012 FsU Doctoral Concerto Competition, FsU graduate teaching assistantship 2010-2013, top prize in the appalachian Guitarfest international Competition in 2010, top prize in the 2010 music academy of north Carolina Guitar Com-petition, asU teaching assistantship 2008-2010, asU scholarship 2008, and the William F. adcock scholarship at UnCW 2006-2007.

KarEn KanE (recording technology) joined the faculty in august 2013 as instructor for recording technology. she attended Berklee College of music and graduated from the recording institute of america, where she received diplomas in audio engineering. she has produced and/or engineered more than 200 full-length albums and has engineered numerous live sound shows. she engineered three albums nominated for Juno awards (the Canadian Grammy). she is the author of articles on recording methods and techniques published in Canadian Musician, Professional Sound, Sing Out and Hot Wire. in July 2013, she was named the Carolina music association’s producer of the year at the as-sociation’s sixth annual awards ceremony in raleigh, an award covering north and south Carolina.

transitionslong-time faculty member and colleague, sHErrill martin (piano, music history) retired this fall after 34 years of teaching, research, and service to UnCW and the Department of music. although still very passionate about her teaching, martin decided to retire, and “move on to the next phase in her life” to focus on research and writing, including the completion The Unknown Horowitz: The Man and His Music. Dur-ing her tenure at UnCW, martin excelled not only as a teacher, but also as a faculty mentor and leader within the department. Her experience, training and knowledge, coupled with the ease and enthusiasm in which she communicated with her students, personified the essence of an excellent teacher. Her teaching awards (Board of Governor’s award for Excellence in teaching, UnCW Chancellor’s teaching Excellence award, UnCW Distinguished teaching Professorship award) are a testament to her work as a teacher and a credit to the teaching profession. martin’s contributions to research was recognized by UnCW in 2004 (UnCW award for Faculty scholarship); her overall scholarly output is recognized nationally and internationally, as her works can be found in libraries throughout the world, including Harvard, Yale and Princeton. the quantity and high quality of her research continues to bring attention to and reflect well on the UnCW music program.

the Department of music will mark the retirement of accompanist and vocal coach PatriCia ainsPaC with an evening of music by nancy King, soprano, and Emery stephens, baritone, on oct. 27 in Beckwith recital Hall, followed by a reception in the Cultural arts Building lobby. a graduate of the Juilliard school of music and the recipient of a Fulbright fellowship, she taught at the Henry street music school in new York City and the Conservatory of music in santo Domingo, Dominican republic, was accompanist for the new York Concert Choir and the american opera society of new York City, and worked with Eileen Farrell, marilyn Horne and leontyne Price. it wasn’t until she joined the university that she was able to realize her dream of becoming an accompanist and vocal coach. “i feel so grateful my life has turned out this way,” ainspac said. “one should never give up, because it took me 50 years to get the life i always wanted.” in her 15 years at UnCW, ainspac affected the lives of untold numbers of individuals through music education, from elementary school through college, and receives high praise from UnCW students and alumni for her skill, dedication and love of teaching.

begun studies toward her m.F.a. in sound design for visual media

at the savannah College of art and Design.

JEnniFEr lanCastEr KirKlanD ‘07 (B.m., music education)

began teaching band at Greenwood middle school in Goldsboro.

asHlEY KvitKo ‘10 (B.m., performance) is a graduate assistant at

appalachian state University, pursuing her equivalency/masters of

music therapy, where she works with the students with Diverse

abilities Program, assisting college age adolescents with intellec-

tual disabilities to graduate from a two-year college program.

aaron rEEl ‘12 (B.a., music) accepted the position of director

of contemporary music at north raleigh United methodist Church.

CatHErinE starEK ‘10 (B.m., music education) received her

masters in arts management from american University in may

2013 and has accepted a position as project coordinator at trG

arts, a Denver-based consulting firm.

KatiE stEPHEns ‘10 (B.m., music education) accepted the position

of general music teacher at malpass Corner Elementary school in

Burgaw, nC.

KEnnitH Watts, Jr. ’13 (B.a., music, trombone) worked with

band director BoB PEarson ‘05 (B.m., music education) as brass

and percussion instructor and arranger for Wilmington’s E.a. laney

High school marching Buccaneers. Watts was also brass instruc-

tor at new Hanover High school, working with band director tim

mcCoy. in 2012, Watts performed as trombonist for The Color Pur-

ple and Spamalot at thalian Hall, and as percussionist with faculty

member michael D’angelo (drums) for “Global Focus: Haiti,” spon-

sored by UnCW Presents.

as part of his graduate assistantship at the UnC school of the arts,

marK WHitFiElD ‘12 (B.m., music education) was awarded the

nutcracker scholarship for playing principal trombone in the UnC-

sa nutcracker orchestra. He received a similar scholarship for per-

forming with the opera orchestra.

in november, mollY Karns DarDEn ‘10 (B.a., music) performed

Handel’s Coronation Anthem No. 2 and schubert’s Magnificat in C

with the Cape Fear Chorale; she was a featured soloist for vival-

di’s Gloria, performing “Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris.” JEnniFEr

JUstUs ‘08 (B.m., music education) was a featured soloist on the

vivaldi, performing “laudamus te” and “Domine Deus.” in Decem-

ber, Darden was a featured soloist for the first annual Jingle on the

Beach at Wrightsville Beach.

zaCK DYE ‘09 (B.a., music) completed his master’s in composition

in the United Kingdom and has returned to north Carolina to pursue

an m.F.a. in film scoring at the UnC school of the arts.

DaviD Easton ‘12 (B.m., performance, jazz studies) is orchestra

guitarist for the Celebrity ship Constellation, travelling to Europe;

upcoming ports of call include miami, Key West, Jamaica, Grand

Cayman and mexico.

marY GHEEn ‘09 (B.m., performance) is a graduate assistant at

East Carolina University, and won the Graduate level Division 7 in

the raleigh area Flute association’s review and Contest (novem-

ber 2012, raleigh).

JEnniFEr GiorDano ‘13 (B.m., performance, instrumental, flute)

performed the ibert Piece pour flute seule and other solo works

for the UnCW advancement office’s reception in november 2012.

nanCY JonEs HarDEr ‘06 (B.m., performance) has joined op-

era roanoke as an apprentice artist opera singer and will perform in

their production of The Magic Flute this fall.

KatiE HoPE ‘12 (B.m., music education) accepted the position of

general music teacher at roger Bacon academy in leland, nC.

marK lorEK ‘02 (B.m., music education) was elected secretary

to the north Carolina Bandmasters association Eastern District and

was nominated to conduct the 2013 all District Band.

niKKi mYErs ‘12 (B.a., music) is working full-time in production

and post-production audio in the Wilmington film industry. she has

JoHn CroWlEY (B.m., performance, instrumental, trumpet) was

the collegiate winner of the richard r. Deas student Concerto

Competition UnCW Division, sponsored by the Wilmington sym-

phony orchestra. He performed alexander arutunian’s Concerto

for Trumpet with the orchestra in march 2013 at Kenan auditorium.

asHlEY BEavis (B.m., performance, instrumental, flute) per-

formed as a member of Wilmington symphony orchestra on sev-

eral concerts. Beavis and Jennifer Giordano performed schubert’s

Introduction and Variations and ibert’s Concerto finale at nicolas

DuChamp’s october 2012 flute master class.

a jazz trio with anDY Blair (minor, jazz studies, jazz guitar), lUKE

Wilson (minor, jazz studies, drums) and michael D’angelo (drums)

student news strengthening our love of place with musical performance in a culturally rich environment

alumni news expressing the power of ideas and innovation through creativity and discovery in music

on bass performed at a reception for the UnCW Provost Club and

the Board of visitors in october 2012.

HEatHEr BoBECK (B.a., music, soprano), WHitnEY laniEr

(B.m., music education, soprano), alEx GazDa (B.m., perfor-

mance, voice, bass) and choir member anderson mcnaull per-

formed seasonal carols for the chancellor’s December 2012 holi-

day reception.

BEtH stovall (B.m., performance, soprano) was named “miss

Goldbsboro 2013” and competed in the miss north Carolina com-

petition in raleigh, where she was awarded a preliminary talent

award and placed into the top ten.

alumni making a differenceStudents at the UNCW Department of Music are the performers and educators of tomorrow. From music teachers teaching folks

songs to elementary school students, to artists on the road and in the studio, UNCW alumni make a difference by applying what

they have learned in the Department of Music to their work in their field and as part of society.

Kari avoliS ‘12 (B.m., mUsiC EDUCation)

Music teacher, College Park Elementary School, Wilmington, N.C.

avolis began teaching in the fall of 2012, four months after she re-

ceived her degree in music education. teaching elementary school

offered new challenges to avolis, who reports on her progress.

In my first year of teaching, the knowledge I gained from my classes

at UNCW is used and challenged every day. I went to my first day

of class confident that I knew how to play instruments, sing, make a lesson

plan, speak in front of children, and measure and evaluate their progress,

but I didn’t know how I would regularly use this knowledge. I hadn’t realized

that I would immediately put some of it to use, such as world drumming,

foreign language and psychology. My favorite part of teaching young

students is finding potential in young students who don’t know they have it.

Children are under so much pressure to perform on tests and assessments;

allowing them to enjoy the act of performing in an expressive medium

allows all ranges of students to flourish. I have the privilege of helping

children discover their talent and build their musical confidence – from the

kindergartners who don’t know how to move their voice higher and lower

to having second graders fluent in solfège. It is incredible to see how little

minds absorb music like a sponge, with no effort and with no resistance.

I love the diverse school I’ve landed in, where I get to see the excitement

of a third grader from Russia learning about Tchaikovsky for the first time,

and where I have the opportunity to teach a folk song from Ecuador to a

class with multiple native Spanish-speakers where they get to help teach

the class. Every day, I get to go to work and show students– whose lives

often don’t allow for the privilege of music– the color and confidence that

making music can bring into their lives.

avolis maintains a busy schedule, but also teaches saxophone

lessons to eight new Hanover High school students. last fall, she

was part of the Wilmington symphony orchestra saxophone sec-

tion for their performance of Bolero. this summer, avolis was a

member of the UnCW summer Jazz Workshop faculty and direct-

ed the big band comprised of middle school students.

vO

iCe

s

gr

aN

t e

Me

rS

oN

vO

iCe

s

Ka

ri a

vo

liS

“

“

”

graNt eMerSoN ‘08 (B.a., mUsiC)

Bass player with Warner Brothers recording artists Delta Rae

since the release of Carry The Fire last summer, Emerson and Delta

rae have performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and twice

on the Tonight Show with Jay leno. they were named vH1’s “You

oughta Know” artist for october 2013, joining the ranks of Cold-

play, adele, and mumford and sons. the band has toured the Unit-

ed states non-stop since June, traversing the country three times.

Delta rae opened for First lady michelle obama at Carmichael are-

na in 2012; on Halloween 2012 the band released a new music

video for “Dance in the Graveyards”; Rolling Stone magazine pre-

miered a live version online. Delta rae toured the United states

with zz Ward, performed at the Grand ole opry and Bonnaroo, and

will go back into the studio. Emerson, an endorsed artist for ns

Electric Upright and Boulder Creek acoustic bass, took a minute to

reflect on what’s next and his evolution as a musician.

The band is game-planning what our next album will be like.

We are working on a new batch of tunes that I am re-

ally excited about. When we aren’t on tour, I go into hermit mode and work

on improving my technique and learning new styles of music. Studying jazz

gave me the ability to be able to hang in any musical situation. Being a bass

player, I sit back and watch and listen to what is going on musically and try

to support it. For me, it’s knowing when to say when and when to say BASS

In your Face! Studying jazz helped me develop my taste to make good mu-

sical choices. When I joined Delta Rae, my schedule was very rigorous: I

was playing in two other bands and working two part-time jobs. Just re-

cently, playing First Night Raleigh on New year’s Eve was an incredible ex-

perience. The energy in the band and in the crowd was electric – I felt like

I was floating on the stage…those are the moment I love most.

on network tv, you can hear Delta rae’s version of the Peggy lee

classic “Bless You (For the Good that’s in You)” from the Gang-

ster squad soundtrack, and on the Fox network’s So You Think You

Can Dance.

”how you can make a differenceour students are the performers and educators of tomorrow. ensuring their future requires the support of the university, the music

faculty and you. Your generosity helps purchase classroom equipment, support scholarships, student services, and extracurricular

activities, all of which make possible a rich, meaningful education for UNCW music students. Please consider joining the growing

number of the department’s alumni and friends who have pledged their support. Your act of kindness goes a long way toward as-

suring a bright future for UNCW and the Department of Music. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any ques-

tions or would like additional information regarding opportunities to give. i hope to hear from you!

– Frank Bongiorno, chair, Department of Music bongiornof@uncw.edu 910.962.3390

STAy TUNEDContact the Department of Music to be added to our electronic mailing list:

uncwmus@uncw.edu or 910.962.3415

visit uncw.edu/happenings for a listing

of all the arts and cultural events on campus.

cover photos left to right

Kari Avolis ‘12 (B.M., music education); grant emerson ‘08 (B.A., music)

photos credits

photo of grant emerson by Adam David Kissick

All other photos UNCW: Jamie Moncrief, Michael escobar, Sarah Beavis or courtesy of the artists.

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Department of Music

601 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403-5975 D E P A R T M E N T O F M U S I CUNC WILMINGTON