DPU student conductors, high school musicians featured in today's concert

Friday, May 6, 2011
Student conductors to perform Friday night at DePauw University are (from left) Andrew Muth, Katherine Blakey, Orlando Ramirez, Renee Dworak, Bradley King and Ariel Detwiler.

The DePauw University Band will present its "Student Conductors Concert" at 7:30 p.m. today in Kresge Auditorium of the Center for Performing Arts.

Six DPU School of Music students will guest conduct the ensemble in eight works for symphonic band. DePauw music majors Katherine Blakey, Ariel Detwiler, Renee Dworak, Bradley King, Andrew Muth and Orlando Ramirez were selected by audition for this opportunity to conduct the University Band.

"Our School of Music students strive to become well-rounded musicians, and the University Band is proud to offer this chance to showcase these six talented musicians as conductors," conductor Craig Paré praised.

"In addition," he added, "six local high school musicians have been joining us for rehearsals."

Trombonists Rachael Campbell (North Putnam High School) and Keith Cassida (Cloverdale High School), hornist Michael Walters (Cloverdale High School), percussionist Michael Jackson (Cloverdale High School), tubist Michael Zuver (North Putnam High School), and Bret Huber (North Putnam High School) on euphonium, have attended rehearsals at DePauw and will join the University Band in its May 6 performance.

"It is a privilege to work with these young high school musicians," Paré praised. "They bring enthusiasm, energy, and a great interest in learning to our work together. I would like to thank their band directors, William Cole from Cloverdale and John Pinson from North Putnam, for their support and encouragement of their students' participation."

The concert repertoire will include "First Suite in E-flat" by Gustav Holst, "Nitro and Cajun Folk Songs II" by Frank Ticheli, "Festivo" by Edward Gregson, "Ye Banks and Braes O'Bonnie Doon" by Percy Grainger, "O Magnum Mysterium" by Morten Lauridsen, "Toccata" by Girolamo Frescobaldi, and "Festival Prelude" by Alfred Reed.

The concert performance is free of charge and open to the public. Those attending the performance are asked, if possible, to bring one non-perishable food item as admission. All donations will go to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry.

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