Maine Perspective Front Page
Center Stage
University Orchestra's 80th Anniversary Gala
It was 1918. World War I ended in November. President Woodrow Wilson was in the White House; Robert Aley was president of the University of Maine.
That February, legendary UMaine Professor Adelbert Sprague, composer of the Maine Stein Song, announced the formation of the University of Maine Orchestra.
It was the beginning of a success story for one of UMaine's oldest arts organizations. For 80 years, the Orchestra has been a vital part of the music scene on UMaine's campus - whether presenting annual classical concerts or performing in the Pit for a Maine Masque musical production.
Under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Anatole Wieck, the 45-piece ensemble celebrates its 80th birthday with a concert on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m., Minsky Recital Hall. A reception will follow the performance.
As part of the School of Performing Arts, the Orchestra offers undergraduate and graduate students first-hand experience in the discipline, training and expertise required of members in a performing ensemble. Conducting experience also prepares many of the music students for future roles as directors and conductors in school systems across the country.
A varied and challenging concert program, highlighted by student soloists, marks the gala celebration. J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 features the trio of Jeni Maneva, candidate for the master of music degree and teaching assistant from Bulgaria, playing the harpsichord, Julie Newman, graduate student from Pittsburgh, on the flute, and Amanda Cushman of Bangor, concert master for the Orchestra and candidate for the master of music degree, on violin.
Juraj Kojs, sophomore music performance major from Slovakia, is soloist for Haydn's Piano Concerto in D Major.
Curvin Farnham, director of bands, is guest conductor for Georges Bizet's Carmen Suite No. 1. Other works on the program include a Mozart symphony in D Major and American composer Aaron Copland's Hoedown from Rodeo.
Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo in Concert
Jazz standards and new compositions are the order of the evening when UMaine's Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo join forces for a concert in Minsky Recital Hall Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Among the works performed by the 19-piece Jazz Ensemble are Basie-Straight Ahead, composed by Sammy Nestico for the Count Basie Orchestra; Donna Lee by alto sax great Charlie Parker; Escape Velocity, an exciting "hip-hop" original composition by Jeff Jarvis. A complete change of pace is provided by Every Time We Say Goodbye, a Cole Porter work arranged by Mark Taylor. Swing and blues are also featured in the program.
The nine-piece Jazz Combo will offer works from both the standard and the contemporary repertoire. Fly Me to the Moon by Bart Howard; A Foggy Day by Ira and George Gershwin; and Nutville by Horace Silver are programmed for the concert.
Both the Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Combo are performing in numerous venues during the fall semester. Nov. 6, the Ensemble and Combo present a joint concert at South Portland High School. The Combo is on its own for a performance in the campus Jazz TGIF series Nov. 20 in the Union. The Ensemble follows with a TGIF performance Dec. 4.
Karel Lidral, director of jazz studies and associate professor of music, directs both the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo.