ROCHESTER, NY — It’s another summer of exceptional music on Gibbs Street, as the Eastman School of Music presents more than 40 concerts and other performances as part of its six-week Summer Session, June 24-August 2. Featured performers include Community Education Division (CED) and collegiate faculty, special guest artists, and summer program participants.
A complete concert schedule is available here. Most concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.; all are open to the public, and all but four (June 27, July 10, July 26, July 27) are free. Tickets for these concerts (except July 27) are available at Ticket Express, 100 East Ave., or by calling 222-5000. They also may be purchased at the hall box office one hour before each concert. For up-to-date program information, patrons should call the School’s 24-hour MusicLine at 274-1100.
Among the many highlights of the summer season:
Dave Rivello Ensemble – June 24
“Harp Music for a Summer Evening” – June 24
The season opens with an intriguing “doubleheader” that clearly showcases the versatility of the summer offerings at Eastman: the cool big-band sounds of jazz and, concurrently, lovely harp music for a summer evening. In Kilbourn Hall at 7:30 p.m., Eastman faculty member Dave Rivello brings his acclaimed 12-piece jazz ensemble — praised for its creative performances, unique sound, and spontaneous energy — back for its ninth year. In Howard Hanson Hall at the same time, visiting recitalist and clinician Eira Lynn Jones, a member of the harp faculty at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Cheetham’s School in Manchester, England, presents a special “Practical Harpist” concert with Kathleen Bride, Eastman professor of harp. The recital includes the American premiere of a work for solo harp by John Reeman, duo harp works, American spirituals, and traditional Celtic harp music performed on the clarsach (Irish harp).
The Ying Quartet – June 27
Eastman’s always engaging quartet-in-residence returns to Kilbourn Hall again this summer for a special concert as part of its “Chamber Music Discovery” program for high school students. The quartet will perform Janacek’s Quartet No. 2 (“Intimate Letters”) and Carter Pann’s “Love Letters” (a work written for the Yings). After intermission, pianist Elinor Freer will join first violinist Tim and cellist David for Schubert’s Piano Trio. Tickets for reserved seating are $12 for the general public, $8 for University of Rochester faculty and staff; and $5 for students with ID.
Mitzie Collins and Friends – July 1
It’s an exciting evening of world music as the renowned dulcimer player Mitzie Collins presents her annual summer extravaganza in Kilbourn Hall — always a favorite of the summer season! This year’s headliners include the Hochstein School’s Borinquen Dance Company performing music and dance of Puerto Rico. There also will be folk music of New York State, including the musical saw played by Jim Kimball, and more.
Eastman Summer Sings – July 2, 9, 23, 30
Again this summer, singers of all ages and ability levels are invited to take part in four Eastman “Summer Sings” — a series of choral music reading sessions held on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall. Each program features one great choral work led by a prominent conductor. This year’s works are Verdi, Requiem, led by William Weinert (July 2); Schubert, Mass in A-flat, led by Sun Min Lee (July 9); Haydn, Lord Nelson Mass, led by Judith Willoughby (July 23); and Mendelssohn, Elijah, led by William Weinert (July 30). Summer Sings are free and open to the public, although a $5 donation is suggested. Hundreds of singers from novice to pro have taken part in this relaxed but wonderful summer music-making tradition.
Bob Sneider – July 3
Eastman faculty jazz guitarist Bob Sneider has been filling Kilbourn Hall to capacity for the past few summers. His program this year will feature cuts from his latest CD Out of the Darkness, new original works, and other jazz standards. He’ll be joined by faculty colleague Clay Jenkins, trumpet; CED colleague Paul Hofmann, piano; Bob Stata, bass; and Mike Melito, drums.
“An American in Moscow” – July 6
Back from a concert tour in Russia in 2001, CED flutist Sophia Gibbs Kim presents an exhilarating program of music from Russia and the former Soviet Republics, including some of the music obtained during her travels. She’ll be accompanied by Russian pianist Irina Lupynis from Eastman’s CED, as well as Petar Kodzas, guitar; Nan Gullo Richmond, harp; and Pamela Kurau, soprano.
Deborah Brown and Friends – July 7
CED’s newest faculty pianist makes her “official” CED Kilbourn Hall debut at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 7, in a program that includes Three Transcriptions of Renaissance Dances by Leopold Godowsky, Images I by Claude Debussy, and Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (Horowitz version) by Franz Liszt. Also on the program is the Ravel Piano Trio in A Minor with Lee Wilkins, violin, and Kathy Kemp, cello.
Gene Bertoncini – July 10
Legendary jazz guitarist Gene Bertoncini returns to Kilbourn Hall for his annual summer concert. General admission tickets are $8 for the general public; $5 for University of Rochester faculty and staff; and free for students with ID and children.
Eastman Guitar Festival – July 13-18
Guitar takes center stage for a week in mid-July, as Eastman Professor of Guitar Nicholas Goluses welcomes student guitarists from around the country for his second Eastman Guitar Festival. In addition to workshops for the participants, the festival features several free concerts in Kilbourn Hall by Goluses (July 13, 7:30 p.m.); the acclaimed lutenist Paul O’Dette (July 14, 3 p.m.); Scott Tennant (July 15, 7:30 p.m.); Petar Kodzas and Aaron Brock (July 17, 7:30 p.m.); and a final performance featuring all the festival participants (July 18, 1 p.m.).
Pipe Organ Encounter – July 16
As part of Pipe Organ Encounter, a weeklong program designed to introduce teenagers to the King of Instruments, the classic silent film The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney, will be shown on a large screen in Kilbourn Hall. Organists Tom Trenney and Todd Wilson will illustrate the action with improvised accompaniment on the Hall’s mighty 5000-pipe Aeolian-Skinner organ — a rare sight in and of itself. The whole family will enjoy this free event, sponsored by the Rochester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition – July 20-27
Now back for its sixth year, this competition, part of Eastman’s annual Summer Piano Festival, brings some of the world’s finest young players (ages 14-18) to Rochester — vying for the chance to win a full tuition scholarship to Eastman, $6000 in cash prizes, and performance and master class opportunities. As in previous years, the public is welcome to catch the knuckle-busting performances in Kilbourn Hall. Preliminary rounds (July 20, 21, 22, 23) begin at 1 p.m.; the final round of competition featuring the top 10 finalists begins at 7:30 p.m., Wed., July 24. All rounds of competition are free. The winners (announced at the end of competition on July 24) perform in a gala concert in Eastman Theatre at 7:30 p.m., Sat., July 27. General admission tickets for this concert are $5, and are available at the door only. (Free to University of Rochester ID holders and all students.)
Canadian Brass – July 26
The world’s leading brass ensemble — now finishing its 31st season — opens a special two-day summer residency at Eastman with a concert at 7:30 p.m. in Eastman Theatre.
Don’t miss the chance to hear the amazing quintet who “put brass music on the map,” according to the Washington Post, “with their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity, and humor.” Reserved tickets are $10-15, with discounts available to University of Rochester ID holders. The participants who will be coached by the Canadian Brass during the weekend residency will present a free performance in Kilbourn Hall at 2 p.m., Sunday, July 28.
Eastman Piano Festival Recitals – July 25-August 2
The summer season ends with a series of wonderful piano recitals, showcasing some of the guest artists (and Eastman students) involved in the School’s annual Piano Festival: Hyun-Jung Oh (July 25); Amy Sze (July 26); Kristian Bezuidenhout (July 29); Linda Boianova (July 31); Alexandra Nguyen with John R. Fulton III, baritone (August 1); and a final concert featuring participants in the Piano Seminar (August 2).
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Note to editors & reporters: Additional program information and photos of some of the artists performing this summer are available upon request. Interview and feature story opportunities are possible.