Eastman News Highlights November 9, 2015

Here are some select recent clippings showing the variety of hits/mentions identifying musicians and scholars as Eastman School of Music alumni, faculty or students. (Note: Some links may have expired.)

Stars of ‘BRIDGES’ Tour to Join Jason Robert Brown in Final SubCulture Concert Tonight

(Broadway World 11/02/2015)

The new concert series curated by the renowned Tony Award-winning composer, lyricist, conductor, and director, Jason Robert Brown, concludes its run tonight, November 2nd, at SubCulture. Each unique performance incorporates an eclectic mix of material, featuring music from throughout his acclaimed career, along with new works in development. Tonight’s performances will feature BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY stars Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky, as well as Rozz Morehead.

Jason studied composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., with Samuel Adler, Christopher Rouse, and Joseph Schwantner. He lives with his wife, composer Georgia Stitt, and their daughters in New York City.

Popular classical pianist returns to Port Clinton

(Sandusky Register 11/03/2015)

James D’Leon returns to Port Clinton Saturday night for a piano recital that will include old and new classical music and even a bit of jazz and a tango.

D’Leon was born in Korea, but his family moved to the United States when he was four.

He began his piano studies when he was four and played his first recital at age five. When he was 12, he won two different competitions in California and performed the Grieg piano concerto and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23. He took his music degrees from Temple University and from Eastman School of Music in New York, where he took a doctor of musical arts degree in piano performance in literature.

Sweet music in Delco: Lansdowne Symphony celebrates 70th season

(Delaware County Times 10/31/15)

“I’m impressed by the dedication of the community of musicians that makes up the LSO and also by the incredible behind-the-scenes work of the board,” said Reuben Blundell who is starting his second season as music director and is the eighth conductor in the Lansdowne Symphony’s history.

He earned a master’s degree in violin performance from the Australian Institute of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in New York. During his first summer at the Boston Symphony’s Tanglewood Music Festival, Blundell won a three-year violin fellowship with the New World Symphony in Miami where he played under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas and composer John Adams and served as concertmaster for Sir Neville Marriner.

Music to Your Ears

(Scarsdale 10583.com 11/04/2015)

Free Organ Concert at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church: Nathan Laube will be performing a free organ concert in the sanctuary at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 15th at 4 PM, on the J. W. Walker pipe organ. The free concert is in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the installation of the instrument, considered one of the finest in the regional area.

A star among young classical musicians, concert organist Nathan Laube (age 27) has quickly earned a place among the organ world’s elite performers. In addition to his busy performing schedule, Mr. Laube serves as Assistant Professor of Organ at The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Recent and upcoming performances by Mr. Laube include major venues spanning four continents.

Eastman Opera Theatre presents Ginsberg’s ‘Hydrogen Jukebox’

(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle 11/05/2015)

Although he hasn’t had much to say about it — he died in 1997 — this has been a pretty good year for Allen Ginsberg. The 50th anniversary of the publication of his best-known poem, “Howl.” And now the Eastman Opera Theatre is presenting one of Ginsberg’s most curious creations, Hydrogen Jukebox, a 1990 collaboration with the acclaimed minimalist composer Phillip Glass.

“I’ve been looking at this work for maybe 10 years, I’ve been very fascinated by it,” says Steven Daigle, director of opera studies at the Eastman School of Music. “Allen Ginsberg, in his own personal life, the sexuality and drug use, these are issues in today’s society. They may not be making the same statement as before, but those are still things we are dealing with today.” (Also reported by City newspaper and reviewed by City)

Harker Concerts: These college profs can really swing

(San Jose Mercury News 11/04/2015

The Eastman Jazz Quartet will head west to kick off the 2015-16 Harker Concert Series on Nov. 6. The four instructors from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music all have rich careers outside the classroom, having have performed with such legends as Tito Puente, Chet Baker, Buddy Rich and the Count Basie Orchestra.

My book, “Rossini and Post-Napoleonic Europe,” arrived in the mail last week. It was published by the University of Rochester Press, which has a strong music catalogue owing to a connection with the Eastman School of Music. It turned out that the head of the University of Rochester Press had been an undergraduate student of mine at the University at Albany in the 1970s. It seemed like an unexpected twist in a Rossini comic opera.

Eastman School of Music faculty and alumni gathered Oct. 24 to present a Celebration of the Life of Lynn Blakeslee in the Hatch Recital Hall.

Ensembles receive project support from Paul R. Judy Center at Eastman School of Music
(Brighton Pittsford Post © 11/04/2015)

The Paul R. Judy Center for Applied Research, launched in 2013 at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, focuses on understanding and supporting the development of innovative ensemble models that can find success in the changing music world.

Its grant program provides funding ranging from $500 to $2,000 for new initiatives, events and research. Present Music, a Milwaukee-based new music ensemble, received a new initiative grant to expand partnerships for its ComposeMilwaukee program. The community engagement project offers workshops by professional composers, with participants performing their work in public concerts in nontraditional concert venues.

Jazz at the Jungle: Connie Evingson and Jon Weber Present “American Songbook” November 8th

(Jazz Police 11/03/2015)

Son of pianist Thelma and late Minnesota Orchestra bassist Cliff Johnson, and brother of guitarist Jimmy Johnson (founder of Flim and the BBs), Gordon Johnson grew up in the Twin Cities, surrounded by music. His first instrument was the piano, followed by flute, which he continued to study through college at the Eastman School of Music, where Chuck Mangione needed his services as a Fender bassist. Following graduation, Gordy signed on for a three-year stint with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. His main instrument with Ferguson, as with Mangione, was electric bass.

The Eastman School of Music Organ Department will begin its community organ concerts series at 4 p.m. Nov. 15 at St. Pauls Episcopal Church, 25 Westminster Road.