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.)
Eastman School of Music Awards Honorary Doctorates to Chick Corea and Steve Gadd
(JazzTimes 10/24/2017)
At the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., Chick Corea and Steve Gadd received honorary doctor of music awards. The awards were presented by President Joel Seligman and Dean Jamal Rossi to the keyboardist and drummer, who were in the midst of their tour as the Corea-Gadd band, at their performance at Kodak Hall at Eastman on Oct. 13. Gadd, a native of Rochester, had graduated from Eastman with a BM in Music in 1968. In a press release received by JT, Rossi explained why the two were deserving of the honor. “Chick Corea is one of the most influential musicians of his generation, and Steve Gadd is one of Eastman’s most distinguished alumni” said Rossi. “We are thrilled that both of them will join the ranks of other world-renowned musicians who hold the honorary doctorate from Eastman.” (Also reported by the Democrat & Chronicle)
St. John’s UCC in Lansdale holds special concert to celebrate newly renovated organ
(Montgomery Newspapers 10/27/2017)
Furniss said the organ dedication concert will be performed by the world-renowned classical organist Nathan Laube, … Furniss said he contacted Nathan Laube to perform the dedication recital because of his superior abilities and also his previous connections to Lansdale. … In addition to his many performances, he serves as assistant professor of organ at the Eastman School of Music …
Celebrating the ‘Gold’ standard
(Herald Palladium 10/26/2017)
In the chamber music world, a quartet almost immediately conjures images of a string ensemble with two violins, a viola and a cello.
The all-saxophone Fuego Quartet is out to change that perception.
The Fuego Quartet, which features Roman, Erik Elmgren (alto saxophone), Harrison Clarke (tenor saxophone) and Gabriel Piqué (baritone saxophone), explores it all, which certainly helped captivate the judges at the 44th Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition at the University of Notre Dame.
The Fuego Quartet formed in 2015 as graduate students at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music
Sax appeal
(Dayton City Paper 10/24/2015)
Music groups often have humble beginnings, from a bunch of guys jamming in a garage, to more formal settings. The Project Fusion saxophone quartet was formed when all four members were students at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York in 2010, and they’ve been together ever since. … Project Fusion consists of Dannel Espinoza on soprano saxophone, Matthew Amedio on alto saxophone, Michael Sawzin on tenor saxophone, and Matt Evans on baritone saxophone. They are known for their diverse programming that includes new music, standard repertoire for the saxophone quartet, as well as arrangements and transcriptions. Their philosophy is that music is an infinite, ongoing project guided by a sense of adventure and creativity, and that the fusion of ideas results in meaningful and enjoyable artistic creations.
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