For the past few years, the University School of Music and Dance has put on a concert that provides a place where the public can enjoy several music and dance ensembles in one large production.
Last year, the concert honored retiring University President Dave Frohnmayer.
This year’s concert will welcome new University president Richard Lariviere and his wife, Jan Lariviere.
The Oregon Wind Ensemble will open the concert with “New Morning for the World: Daybreak of Freedom,” a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. The performance will transition to dance with professor Rita Honka leading several pieces from the Dance Africa program.
The University Chamber Choir will follow with a few selections, such as “Blue Bird” by Charles Stanford and “Exsultate Deo” by Palestrina.
Sharon Paul, associate professor of music and director of the Chamber Choir, believes it is important to expose Lariviere to the University’s music program.
“We want the President to feel welcome in his new community, and we also take great pride in showing him the quality of music-making here at the School of Music and Dance,” Paul said.
Although most of the ensembles are used to performing in more intimate venues, the large theater at the Hult Center opens up a wide range of repertoire to choose from for
their performance.
“This is an opportunity for some of our large ensembles to perform at a wonderful concert venue,” Paul said. “At the President’s Concert we will be performing our ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) set, which includes music from Mongolia, England, the U.S. and Romania, in addition to music dating from the Renaissance up through the 21st century.”
Scott Barkhurst, spokesperson for the School of Music and Dance, explained that the purpose of an off-site concert is to attract a wider audience for other University productions.
“The School of Music and Dance has presented a special concert at the Hult Center each of the past several years to make a wide range of its ensembles available to the public in one convenient setting,” he said.
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