Media only: Katey Padden, Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator, (585)451-8492, kpadden@esm.rochester.edu
The Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, is proud to announce two important anniversaries during its three-semester-long centennial celebration. Eastman Community Music School’s (ECMS) New Horizons will celebrate its 30th Anniversary October 29 at 8:00 p.m., with Eastman Trombone Choir celebrating its 80th Anniversary on November 19 at 7:30 p.m. Both group’s anniversary concerts will be held in Kodak Hall, and each will be a unique experience to concertgoers, including guest artists and original commissioned work.
In 1991, Roy Ernst, Eastman School of Music professor, set out to form a band of senior citizens from around Rochester with little to no musical experience and founded the group New Horizons. Thirty years later the group has become the New Horizons International Music Association, a vast nonprofit network of 10,000 participants in more than 230 bands and orchestras operating in 42 states, five Canadian provinces, and in Australia. In Rochester, New Horizons comprises three wind bands, three orchestras, two jazz bands, separate flute, clarinet, and saxophone groups, and a chorus.
ECMS New Horizons 30th Anniversary Concert, Friday, October 29, celebrates 30 years of a community of music-makers flourishing in a non-competitive, collaborative, and supportive environment. The concert features the world premiere of a Centennial commissioned work, Ceremony and Celebration by Larry Neeck ‘90E (MM), co-director of New Horizons’ Concert Band and Symphonic Band.
“The ‘Ceremony’ portion of the piece recognizes the vision of Dr. Roy Ernst, who founded New Horizons, and has seen his unique idea come to fruition over these past thirty years,” says Larry Neeck. “It also recognizes the many thousands of friendships created among New Horizons members and provides a solemn tribute to those members who are no longer with us.”
Neeck continues to describe Ceremony and Celebration: “The ‘Celebration’ portion of the piece consists of three dramatic and lively themes, which through their statements and variations, express the exuberance and joy of music, and the emotional connection of making music together.”
Eastman Trombone Choir will perform Friday, November 19, marking the 80th anniversary of the ensemble. Guest artists include Eastman alum, trombonist, and composer Michael Davis (’83 BM) as a guest soloist, along with longtime Eastman faculty member and Eastman trombone alumnus, Donald Hunsberger ‘54E, ‘59E (MM), ‘63E (DMA), as a conductor.
The repertoire for this concert includes pieces by three trombone alums, Ethan Cypress ‘19E (MM), David Wilborn ‘84E (MM), and Michael Davis. In addition, two arrangements done by Eastman alums that have become standard repertoire in the trombone choir canon will be performed; the Camille Saint-Saëns “Adagio” from Symphony No. 3, arranged by Ken Murley ‘59E, ‘61E (MM); and the Bach Passacaglia in C minor, arranged by Donald Hunsberger.
The late Emory Remington founded the Eastman Trombone Choir at the Eastman School of Music in 1941 and is currently co-directed by Mark Kellogg and Larry Zalkind. The sound of the Eastman Trombone Choir has been described as “majestic,” “noble,” “brilliant,” “soothing,” and “exciting.”
“My colleague, Larry Zalkind and I are happy to cultivate the tradition of trombone playing at Eastman, specifically with our Trombone Choir,” says Mark Kellogg. “This 80th anniversary concert is a perfect illustration of that tradition as we feature our current former students who have made significant contributions as players, composers and arrangers in many different genres of music.”
The three-semester-long Eastman Centennial celebration will begin in Fall 2021 and continues throughout 2022. Highlights include acclaimed guest artists performing alongside Eastman’s ensembles; national academic and music conferences; alumni events throughout the country; a documentary being produced in partnership with WXXI, and more. Pillar events include: “Opening of the Doors,” a community-driven celebration scheduled for March 3-6, 2022; “100 concerts to celebrate 100 years”; and a Meliora Weekend celebration in Fall 2022.
For up-to-date information on the Eastman Centennial, including feature stories, future events, videos, testimonials, ways to engage, and more, please visit our Centennial website at https://www.esm.rochester.edu/100.
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About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music—about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprised of more than 130 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy winners, Emmy winners, Guggenheim fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community. Additionally, more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from young children through senior citizens, are enrolled in the Eastman Community Music School.
About Eastman Community Music School:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music—about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprised of more than 130 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy winners, Emmy winners, Guggenheim fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community. Additionally, more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from young children through senior citizens, are enrolled in the Eastman Community Music School.
About the University of Rochester:
The University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading private research universities, one of only 62-member institutions in the Association of American Universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives undergraduates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.