STUDENT ENSEMBLES, VIOLA WORKSHOP ON TAP AT MUSIC SCHOOL

EUGENE–Five concerts by student ensembles ranging from vocal jazz to traditional and contemporary gospel music, and a viola workshop are scheduled this week at the University of Oregon School of Music, 961 E. 18th Ave.

For more information, call the music school weekdays at (541) 346-5678. To confirm concert times and ticket information, call GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2533, for a taped message of the week’s events.

The Oregon Vocal Jazz, under the direction of Assistant Professor Sidney Haton, will give a salute to the great music of jazz at 8 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall, 961 E. 18th Ave. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 general admission and $3 for students and senior citizens.

The Oregon Vocal Jazz, composed of four separate ensembles, will perform both old and new jazz standards, including "All of Me," "Jeanine," "Almost Like Being in Love," "Nice ‘n’ Easy," "No Love No Nothin’ " and "I Remember Clifford."

The UO Campus Band will perform a special program of band music written by UO composers. Concert time is 8 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall, and admission is free.

Under the direction of Graduate Teaching Fellow Timothy Reynolds, the band will perform "The Evil Eye" by Tracy Freeze, "New Year’s March" by Lily Barmor, "Beyond the Dark Horizon" by Rob Hutchinson, "Remarks on Wonderland" by Hillary Conover, and Greg Pelton’s arrangement of "In Truitina" from "Carmina Burana."

The Oregon Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Associate Professor Robert Ponto, will give its fall concert at 8 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 general admission and $3 for students and senior citizens.

The program will feature "Sensemayá" by Silvestre Revueltas, "Come Sweet Death" by J.S. Bach, "Suite from Candide" by Leonard Bernstein, "Symphonic Movement" by Vaclav Nelhybel, "Colonial Song" by Percy Grainger and the world premiere of "Three Dragons" by Gregory Youtz, a piece commissioned by the UO School of Music.

Graduate Teaching Fellows Timothy Reynolds and Tracy Freeze will assist Ponto in conducting the program.

The University Gospel Ensemble, directed by John Gainer, will present an evening of traditional and contemporary African-American gospel music. Concert time is 8 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 general admission and $3 for students and senior citizens.

Selections on the program include "Leaning on Jesus" by Edwin Hawkins; "Send Your Latter Rain" by Joseph Pace; "So Good" by Percy Bady; "God Is" by Robert Fryson; "I’m Free" by Carnell Murrell; "My Lord is Waiting" by Michele Frank, and many others.

The University Gospel Ensemble, founded by Gainer 15 years ago, is an advanced group of gospel singers at the University of Oregon. The group strives for authentic performance of black gospel music, including the incorporation of gospel choral choreography by Renesa Tucker-Fair and John Gainer. Instrumental accompaniment is by Cedric Weary on keyboard, Jeremy Gibons on bass guitar and Michael Zibelmen on drums.

Jazz guitarist Dan Balmer will be the featured guest artist along with UO jazz combos at "The Jazz Café" at 8 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge at Gerlinger Hall, 1468 University St. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 general admission and $3 for students and seniors. Light food and beverages will be available for purchase during the evening.

The program will include not only music by familiar jazz composers, but also a variety of original material and arrangements by student composers.

Balmer is the latest in an impressive line of talented Northwest jazz and fusion artists to appear on the national scene. A native of Portland, Balmer has performed with Andy Narell, Jim Pepper, David Friesen, Glen Moore, Jessica Williams and the late Red Mitchell. Balmer is best known, however, for his featured work with keyboardist Tom Grant, with whom he toured and recorded for 10 years.

After being voted "Portland’s Best Guitarist" by the Portland Music Association in 1993, Balmer left the Grant band to pursue his solo career and began promoting his own unique brand of contemporary jazz. In performances across the country, Balmer’s playing has consistently won enthusiastic praise. His compositions have appeared on television and in movies, and they have been choreographed by Ballet Oregon.

The School of Music will host "Viola VIPs," a workshop for viola students of all ages, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is $12.50, and registrations will be accepted as late as Saturday morning, beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Workshop organizer Leslie Straka, viola professor at the University of Oregon, has assembled a roster of seven top violists from the local area to lead the workshop.

The workshop will offer a variety of technique classes throughout the day, structured to accommodate all skill levels, from elementary school beginners to advanced high school students.

Music will be provided for all levels; participants are asked to bring a music stand and a sack lunch.

The workshop will open with a faculty performance at 9 a.m. and conclude with a group recital of students and faculty at 1:30 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall. Parents and friends of participants are welcome to attend the performances free of charge.

For more information, contact Leslie Straka, 346-3765.

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