Choice Concerts
Looking for something different to do on your lunch break? Hochstein's Hochstein at High Falls concert series, taking place at Granite Mills Park, is the perfect way to relax in the sunshine and enjoy the performances of a variety of different Rochester area ensembles. The series kicks off with Eastman's
Choice Concerts
The worlds of classical and Native American/world music combine this Sunday for a performance by Arvel Bird, one of the Native American music genre's most celebrated artists. Raised in Utah, Bird received classical training on violin at Arizona State and Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He abandoned a classical career, however, in order
Choice Concerts
Although usually lumped together with the two other Bs (Bach and Beethoven), Brahms stands out as one of the most influential classical composers of the 19th century. During his lifetime, Brahms was considered old-fashioned by some of his counterparts. Unlike other composers of the time, he chose to venerate the
Choice Concerts
Mercury Opera's upcoming production consists of two comedic one-act operas - Lee Hoiby's "Bon Appétit!" and Bach's "Coffee Cantata." "Appétit!" features Eastman faculty member Kathryn Cowdrick singing the role of Julia Child as she cooks her way through an "episode." The entire opera is based on a real telecast, right
Choice Concerts
While I could expound the talents of Eastman students, what really interests me about this concert is the chance to see conductor David Effron in action. Effron began his professional career as an opera conductor and spent 11 years on the faculty at Eastman before joining the faculty of Indiana
Choice Concerts
You have to go see this concert, and I'm not just saying this because I'm a classical musician. This concert has been written in my planner for months, and is indeed a must-see for everyone, regardless of his or her interest in the classical genre. Metal rocker/violinist Rachel Barton Pine,
Choice Concerts
If the reality TV juggernaut that is "American Idol" isn't giving you your fix for singing competitions, then maybe it's time to check out Rochester's own Classical Idol competition. Hosted as a benefit for the Rochester Oratorio Society, the competition showcases the best emerging vocal talent in the classical music
Music Articles
The feminist movement of the 60's and 70's did more than just give women a reason to burn their bras. It also introduced music historians to the idea of feminist musicology, a movement which spurred a scholarly interest in the study of women as it pertained to music. The resulting
Choice Concerts
We all know that the folks over at Eastman are consistently phenomenal at what they do. World renowned faculty members have put Eastman on the map, and the same faculty members, as a part of the ensemble Eastman Virtuosi, will be traveling to New York City to present a concert
Choice Concerts
Since 1964 the alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon has awarded a Musician of the Year award to a deserving Eastman faculty member. Past honorees have included Howard Hanson, Christopher Seaman, Jeff Tyzik, and the Ying Quartet. This year's honoree, Kenneth Grant, is associate professor of clarinet at Eastman, as
Choice Concerts
For those of us with even an ounce of Irish heritage, March will always be associated with the ubiquitous St. Patrick's Day festivities - namely drinking entirely too much. In appreciation of the fact that Irish culture does, indeed, include more than just drinking, let me offer an alternative -
Choice Concerts
This concert has me psyched. As a classically trained musician who has spent the majority of her life playing the works of dead white guys, I have always enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about female composers. This concert will feature works by 19th century women composers Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara
Choice Concerts
Lately TV has been deluged by reality singing competitions. One of the more popular ones this past year was "The Sing-Off," which featured a cappella groups from across the country competing for a $100,000 cash prize and a recording contract. While this week's International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Competition
Choice Concerts
Most of us can probably remember singing in school choir when we were kids. While our experiences in these choirs might have been mixed, one cannot deny that we learned some life lessons - even if it was only that lip-synching is a valuable skill set to have. Unlike my
Choice Concerts
I am constantly impressed by the abilities of young musicians in Rochester. Sometimes, I suppose, we take their achievement for granted, not realizing that Rochester is really very fortunate to have this kind of talent at the grade school level. This weekend some of Rochester's finest young musicians will be
Choice Concerts
Let me preface this by saying that saxophone quartets have never been one of my favorite ensemble - that is, until I started to research the Erie Saxophone Quartet. The Erie Saxophone Quartet is dedicated to promoting the saxophone as a classical chamber instrument. The group, which was formed at
Music Articles
Opera is considered by some to be the ultimate art form. Perhaps it is the combination of art, music, theater, and dance, which can produce an intoxicating sensory overload. Maybe the magic is in the plots, which range from the magnificent to the mundane, and play with the gamut of
Choice Concerts
The Gregory Kunde Chorale will present its Absolutely Amadeus concert this weekend. Subtitled "All Mozart, all the time" the program includes works for chorus and orchestra, and features his popular Coronation Mass in C. The chorale is comprised of adult singers under the direction of its namesake, Gregory Kunde. While
Choice Concerts
Maybe it's just my Catholic upbringing, but I love some good organ music, and this month's installment in the Eastman at St. Michael's series is sure to deliver. The series, which is a collaboration between St. Michael's and the Eastman School of Music, showcases different performance majors from Eastman and
Choice Concerts
Principal pops conductor Jeff Tyzik will lead the RPO and featured tenor Doug LaBrecque in one of the most popular holiday concerts of the season. LaBreqcue should be familiar to the Rochester audience, having performed with Tyzik in the RPO's 4th of July Pops concert this past summer. Also featured
