On Friday, February 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Eastman School of Music, in collaboration with RocMaidan and the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union (UFCU), presents “La La Land in Concert.” The 2016 Academy Award-winning film starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone was directed by Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) and features a shimmering score by Chazelle’s frequent collaborator, Justin Hurwitz. Performed by Eastman’s Empire Film and Media Ensemble, this mesmerizing live-to-picture concert experience will be conducted by six-time Emmy Award-winning composer and conductor Mark Watters.
This captivating story of a promising pianist and aspiring actress’s star-crossed romance will be projected onto a large screen behind a full orchestra of Eastman students. (Please note that La La Land has a PG-13 rating for ‘some language’ and runs for approximately 2 hours.)
Award-winning composer Justin Hurwitz shares, “I am really excited that the incredible, talented students of Eastman are going to be playing La La Land… My sister — Hanna Hurwitz ’08E, ’16E (DMA) — went to Eastman, actually!” Hurwitz hopes that “everybody has the chance to see it.”
Of the partnership between RocMaidan and Eastman, volunteer Tim Sukhenko states, “RocMaidan is grateful for the opportunity to once again partner with the Eastman School of Music. We are proud of their willingness to cultivate support for our 100% volunteer-based organization. The need for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine is great.” Since January 2023, this is the second event that Eastman has presented in partnership with RocMaidan and the UFCU. “It truly takes a village, and RocMaidan is thankful that Eastman is a vital part of ours.”
By providing support for this performance, RocMaidan and the UFCU aim to raise awareness of their organizations’ humanitarian relief efforts for the citizens of Ukraine, seeking possible financial or special needs contributions.
“La La Land in Concert” is part of the Eastman Presents: Kodak Hall Series, bringing new works and world-class artists to the Rochester community. For more information and to purchase tickets to this spectacular event, please visit EastmanTheatre.org or call 585-274-3000.
Media only: Lauren Sageer, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Digital Content,
(585) 451-8492, lsageer@esm.rochester.edu
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About RocMaidan:
RocMaidan is a 501(c)(3) public non-profit organization and is 100% volunteer based. RocMaidan was established in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and the beginning of the Russian invasion in Eastern Ukraine. Our mission is to provide humanitarian aid and medical supplies to people affected by the war in Ukraine through the efforts of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, RocMaidan has shipped nineteen, 40 foot shipping containers of medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, has helped replace 25 emergency field vehicles, sent thousands of medical tactical first aid kits and medical equipment to help save the lives of Ukrainians who are suffering from continuous bombings. The group has strong partnerships with various volunteer organizations, including InterVol, Revived Soldiers Ukraine, Guardians of Hope, and many others.
About the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union (UFCU):
The UFCU was founded in 1953 by Ukrainian Americans in Rochester, New York, and provides service in English and Ukrainian languages to meet the needs of over 27,000 members from coast to coast. The credit union with assets exceeding $380 million has 14 full-service branch offices nationwide. Branches are located in New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Oregon and Washington. Coming soon to Florida. Members of over 70 common bond organizations may join the credit union. You don’t have to be Ukrainian to join. For more information visit www.ukrainianfcu.org.
About the Beal Institute:
The Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media at the Eastman School of Music provides students with instruction and experiences that prepare them for the increasingly evolving opportunities to write, produce, and perform music for film and contemporary media. Founded in 2016 by Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal ’85E and vocalist Joan Beal ’84E, and under the direction of Mark Watters, Emmy Award-winning composer and conductor, the program builds on the film legacy of the school’s founder, George Eastman.
Students in the Beal Institute have opportunities to work with established visiting artists: professional composers, arrangers and musicians who are actively engaged in the film, television and video game industry. Students are also encouraged to collaborate on cross-disciplinary and multi-media projects with other students, faculty members from humanities, composition, and other Eastman departments, community arts organizations, and other area universities. The Institute enhances the graduate degree program in convergent media and film music.
Jeff Beal, who received his Bachelor of Music degree from Eastman with High Distinction in 1985, serves as artistic director of the Institute and continues to be closely involved with the students, faculty, and administration of the school.
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 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.