Here are some select clippings from the past week 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.)
Jennifer Higdon Here for Women in Music
(Democrat & Chronicle 03/23/2014)
One of the most prominent female classical composers today will be in town this week for the Eastman School of Music’s Women in Music Festival. The festival, now in its 10th year, is one of the few in the nation to specifically honor women who have created repertoire for groups from quartets to choruses and symphonies. And, for Rochester, includes free concerts all week by Eastman groups and some guest performers.
Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Higdon will be composer-in-residence for the week, leading and performing classes and public concerts.
Shen Yun: ‘Something to remember for a long time,’ Says Pianist
(The Epoch Times 03/13/2014)
Classically-trained pianist Gorjana Zekic thought Shen Yun Performing Arts was “majorly beautiful.” Ms. Zekic, who studied at the Eastman School of Music in New York, praised Shen Yun’s pianist as “absolutely fabulous,” and the soprano and conductor both as “top-notch” in their fields.
Tyzik’s 20th Season Celebration
(Rochester City Newspaper © 03/19/2014)
Born in 1951, Tyzik is clearly a man at the top of his game. “I was prepared really well to do what I’m doing today,” says Tyzik of his education at the Eastman School of Music. “I was prepared in a great way by Ray Wright in a program called Jazz and Contemporary Media, which focused on the art of jazz and also on writing and arranging for orchestras.”
Emerging Buffalo opera singer to sing on ‘From the Top’
(Buffalo News © 03/18/2014)
Miss Helenbrook, who is from Alexander, is currently a sophomore at the Eastman School of Music. She is being featured as an alumna solo performer on “From the Top” on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m., in Eastman Theatre’s Kodak Hall. (Also reported by Buffalo Artvoice)
Buddy Guy added as Jazz Fest headliner
(Democrat & Chronicle 03/18/2014)
Born in Albany, Iyer is a Fairport High School graduate who played in the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and studied improvisation and music theory at Eastman School of Music while still in high school.
Eastman concerts already announced include soft-jazz quartet Fourplay June 24, pop singer Michael McDonald June 25 and the traditional free show spotlighting Eastman School of Music students on June 23, this one featuring trumpet player John Sneider.
Alongside the Newport celebration, Eastman School of Music professor Bill Dobbins performs the music of the late Dave Brubeck, who played the fest several times (Hatch Recital Hall, June 21). (Also reported by City )
JAZZ | Eastman Chamber Jazz/Scott Healy
(Rochester City Newspaper © 03/19/2014)
Scott Healy may be best known as the keyboard player in the “Conan” (O’Brien) show’s Basic Cable Band. He’s also recorded and performed with top artists like Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, and Al Green. But when he joins Eastman Chamber Jazz and director Dave Rivello Thursday, the Eastman School of Music alum will be showcasing another side of his musical talent. Healy will be concentrating on the evocative tone poems of city life from his 2014 Grammy Award-nominated album, “Hudson City Suite.”
Sax players will descend on UI this week
(Champaign News Gazette © 03/16/2014)
Expect to see a lot of people carrying saxophones this coming weekend at the University of Illinois.
The featured performers besides Coffin include:
The Eastman Saxophone Project, created in 2010 as the country’s first “conductor-less” saxophone ensemble, made up of students from the saxophone studio at the Eastman School of Music.
‘Fisherman’ from Catfish Row on the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
(WBFO 88.7 03/14/2014)
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess continues on stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center Friday evening. A Western New Yorker is debuting in the first national tour of the show. WBFO’s Eileen Buckley had a chance to meet with that cast member.
Tenor Tamar Greene has appeared in operas. Greene is a Rochester native who studied at the Eastman School of Music. He is portraying the role of The Fisherman in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and says he is thrilled the tour stopped in Buffalo, near his hometown.
Sharp Ears: Flutist Bonita Boyd
(WXXI © 03/14/2014)
Today, Bonita Boyd, who teaches at the Eastman School of Music and performs all over the world, reveals the name of the best flutist she’s ever heard. Click on the audio link to hear Bonita’s conversation with Classical 91.5 FM morning host Brenda Tremblay.
Dallas Chamber Symphony Piano Competition announces winners
(Dallas Morning News © 03/16/2014)
Winners in the second annual Dallas Chamber Symphony International Piano Competition were announced Saturday evening at Southern Methodist University’s Caruth Auditorium.
The $500 third prize went to Soeun Lee, from South Korea, currently pursuing master’s degree studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.
Thank you to the community for a successful event (letter to the editor)
(Lewiston Sentinel 03/21/2014)
On Wednesday, March 12 the auditorium of Mifflin County High School was filled with the magnificent sounds of the United States Army Concert Band and Soldiers Chorus. The quality of the music and the sense of patriotism were both refreshing and heartwarming for a crowd of 1,300 people in attendance.
The performers in these ensembles, many of whom are graduates of the Eastman School of Music and the Julliard, are exemplary musicians who are also soldiers and know they could be called to serve if needed.