University Musical Associates

Faculty Chamber Recital
Monday, February 1 - 7:30 PM

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College of Music faculty members Benjamin Sung, violin, and Marcy Stonikas, soprano, both strong advocates of contemporary music, tackle the entirety of György Kurtág's Kafka Fragments. Composed between 1985-7, Kurtág created settings for fragments of writing from the letters, diaries, and notebooks of Franz Kafka that take the listener on a sardonic, humorous, lyrical, and even absurd journey through a wide range of situations and emotions.

Faculty Chamber Recital
Tuesday, February 23 - 7:30 PM

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College of Music Professor of Cello Greg Sauer and Associate Professor of Piano Heidi Louise Williams will present "Mirrored: Contemporary North and South American Duos for Piano and Cello," a dynamic recital of twentieth and twenty-first century North and South American masterpieces, including the world premiere of Grande Baião II (2020), composed for Sauer and Williams by Brazilian pianist, composer, and arranger André Mehmari. Additional works on the program include: Walker's Sonata for Cello & Piano; Crozier's Nocturne for Cello & Piano; Guarnieri's Sonata No. 2 for Cello & Piano; Zwilich's Lament for Cello & Piano; Guerra-Peixe's Três Peças; and Barber's Sonata for Cello & Piano, Op. 6.

University Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, February 27 - 7:30 PM

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The University Symphony Orchestra performs under the direction of Dr. Alexander Jiménez in Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. The program includes Eight Miniatures for Small Orchestra by Roque Cordero; Siegfried Idyll by Richard Wagner to be conducted by Assistant Conductor Kyara Nelsen; and Symphony No. 4 "Italian" by Felix Mendelssohn.

Jazz Ensemble I
Thursday, March 4 - 7:30 PM

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Dedicated to the legacy of the great jazz drummer Art Blakey and the alumni that worked with him. The program includes compositions that were performed by his Jazz Messengers and tunes that were written by members of the Jazz Messengers from different periods of the band's existence in the 50s and 60s.

University Philharmonia Orchestra
Friday, March 19 - 7:30 PM

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The University Philharmonia, under the direction of Dr. Alexander Jiménez, will light up the stage of Ruby Diamond Concert Hall presenting a diverse concert program including Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite, Montgomery’s Starburst for String Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 in C Major. The concert also features Assistant Conductor Nathan Haines with a performance of Coleridge-Taylor’s Four Novelletten for String Orchestra.

Choral Concert I
Saturday, March 20 - 7:30 PM

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The Florida State University Singers and Chamber Choir perform "If I Can Sing, I Still Am Free," featuring the music of Elaine Hagenberg, Andrea Ramsey, and Rosephanye Powell. The Chamber Choir will perform two settings of the Mass - W.A. Mozart's Missa Brevis in D Major and The Gospel Mass by Robert Ray. The University Singers will perform Andrea Clearfield's poet of body and soul.

Choral Concert II
Friday, April 9 - 7:30 PM

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The Women's Glee, under the direction of Dr. Kari Adams, will present a premiere performance of Andrea Ramsey's Suffrage Cantata in connection with the Vox Femina Consortium. This performance, which explores texts of Susan B. Anthony, Victoria Woodhull, Ida B. Wells, and Sojourner Truth, is dedicated to Judy Bowers for her years of service to Florida State University and the choral music education profession. This exciting concert will also feature octavos performed by Choral Union and David Conte's Invocation and Dance performed by the Collegians.

Night at the Opera
Saturday, April 10 - 6:00 PM
Live in the Owen Sellers Amphitheatre

C A N C E L L E D
due to inclement weather

The Florida State Opera and University Symphony Orchestra collaborate for a unique gala performance featuring Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare for Brass and Timpani by Richard Strauss, and various works by W.A. Mozart.

University Wind Ensemble
Tuesday, April 13 - 7:30 PM

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The University Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Patrick Dunnigan, performs Richard Strauss' Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare, Giovanni Santos' Blue Dances, Jennifer Jolley's Ash, Gioachino Rossini's Passo a sei, Felix Mendelssohn's Ouverture for Winds, John Mackey's Hymn to a Blue Hour, and Omar Thomas' Come Sunday.

An Evening of Big Band Jazz
Wednesday, April 14 - 7:30 PM
Live in the Owen Sellers Amphitheatre

Showcasing all three FSU jazz bands.

University Wind Orchestra
Tuesday, April 27 - 7:30 PM

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The Florida State University Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Richard Clary, will present an eclectic concert featuring some of the finest wind musicians the College has to offer. From the 19th century writing of César Franck to some 20th century works infused with Latin rhythms by Valerie Coleman and James Syler--this performance truly has something for everyone. We also proudly present FSU-alumna Kim Archer's Fanfare Politeia which was composed and premiered by the U.S. Marine Band for the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony this past January.

Summer Opera
Friday and Saturday, May 21st & 22nd - 7:30 PM
Live in the Opperman Music Hall

More details coming soon.

FALL 2020 Performances:

Faculty Jazz Ensemble - PROGRAM - Thursday, September 17 - 7:30 PM - this Livestream concert is now available to view here
Our opening UMA livestream concert will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the birth of jazz trumpet legend Clifford Brown who, though lost at the age of 25, left an amazing impact on the world of music. Our outstanding faculty jazz group will present tunes from Clifford Brown/Max Roach, and Study in Brown, albums highlighting the strong artistic collaboration between Clifford and drummer Max Roach. The FSU faculty sextet for the program features:
Scotty Barnhart, trumpet
David Detweiler, tenor saxophone
Kevin Jones, trombone
Bill Peterson, piano
Rodney Jordan, bass
Leon Anderson, drums
Tune into WFSU for a wonderful evening of live jazz from the College of Music! 

Student Jazz Combo - PROGRAM - Monday, October 12 - 7:30 PM - this Livestream concert is now now available to view here
Celebrate Optimism, Creativity and Unity through the music of the legendary Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers as skillfully played by our top jazz students:
John Dupre-Trumpet
Joe Goldberg-Tenor Saxophone
Joel Perez-Trombone
Rhys Bennett-Alto Saxophone
Matt Boyd-Piano
Chris Manami-Guitar
Sam Dingle-Bass
Jayden Richardson-Drums
Selections will be taken from these jazz standards:
The Core - Freddie Hubbard
Moanin' - Bobby Timmons
Along Came Betty - Benny Golson
A La Mode - Curtis Fuller
In Case You Missed It - Robert Watson

Faculty Chamber Recital - PROGRAM - Thursday, October 15 - 7:30 PM - this Livestream concert is now available to view here
The program features colorful and virtuosic works by Gioachino Rossini, Giovanni Bottesini, and Jessie Montgomery. String faculty members Corinne Stillwell, violin, Shannon Thomas, violin, Gregory Sauer, cello, and George Speed, double bass, along with pianist Deloise Lima will be featured in duos in various combinations inspired in turn by 19th century Italian opera and the late 20th century downtown New York arts scene.

Percussion Ensemble - PROGRAM - Sunday, October 18 - 2:00 PM Livestream
The University Percussion Ensemble performs under the direction of music director Dr. John W. Parks, IV and graduate coaches Justin Ball, Chris Baird, Mike Glaze, and Ryan Boehme. The program includes Rob Sanderl's Schnabel (2018), Paul Lansky's Threads (2005), Nigel Westlake's Omphalo Centric Lecture (1984), John Psathas' Jettatura (1999), Steve Reich's Mallet Quartet (2009), and Michael Burritt's Fandango 13 (2014). Student performers are Ashley Allaire, Chris Baird, Justin Ball, Gus Barreda, Ryan Boehme, Sammy DeAngelis, Jacob Dell, Mike Glaze, Jake Graff, Zach Harris, William Howald, Ross Hussong, Danial Kukuk, Samuel Laconte, Abby McNulty, Dell Mitchell, Blake Sorenson, Connor Willits, James Wolff, Anders Wong, Connor Yeackley, and Alyssa Zimpleman.

University Symphony Orchestra - PROGRAM - Thursday, October 29 - 8:00 PM 4fsu Comcast Channel 4 - Now available to view here
This concert was performed and recorded on October 10 and will be broadcast on 4fsu, Comcast Channel 4 on October 29 at 8:00 pm EST. The University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Alexander Jiménez , are joined by faculty members Marcía Porter, soprano and Jeffrey Springer, tenor and special guest Jonathan Gannon, horn. Works for the evening include Benjamin Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings, widely considered to be the finest song cycle from one of England's most celebrated composers; the Cantilena from Heitor Villa-Lobos' masterpiece Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5; and Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in D major, a milestone on the path to romanticism in orchestral music.

USO Chamber Orchestra - PROGRAM - Friday, November 6 - 7:30 PM - this Livestream concert is now available to view here
The University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Alexander Jiménez , will light up the evening with works for chamber orchestra. Stravinsky's Suites for Small Orchestra will provide a sparkling opening to this livestream concert as they share the composer's early migration towards Neoclassicism, Ralph Vaughan Williams' beautiful The Lark Ascending with its musical imagery based on the poem by George Meredith continues the program with FSU faculty violinist Shannon Thomas providing the floating and soaring moments. The 250th celebration of Beethoven's birth continues with the imaginative Symphony No. 8 in F Major, a work that, though shorter in duration, shares the innovative mind of this legendary composer. This concert is dedicated to Dr. Nancy Fowler, a longtime College of Music faculty member and supporter.

Fill Your Hearts with Song: A 3-part Series on 4fsu Comcast Channel 4:

• "Be the Change" - University Singers, Collegians and the Women's Glee Club - Saturday, November 7 - 7:30 PM - PROGRAM - View concert here
• "Things I didn't Know" - Chamber Choir and Choral Union - Saturday, November 14 - 7:30 PM - PROGRAM - View concert here
• "Words Revered" - University Singers - Saturday, December 5 - 7:30 PM - PROGRAM - View concert here
  The University Singers offer beautiful works like the Requiem of Maurice Durufle and In Windsor Forest by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Collegians will perform, as well.

Wind Ensemble - PROGRAM - Tuesday, November 10 - 7:30 PM - this Livestream concert is now available to view here
The University Wind Ensemble presents a mixed-genre program of music covering a century and a half of music written for large and small ensembles. The program begins with the brass-only Fanfare from the 1912 ballet La Péri by French composer Paul Dukas. The program includes two premieres by FSU composers. Ave Maria is a new work by Aaron Houston (DM 2020). Just Vibe! is a new work by Chandler Wilson (PhD 2019), hired this past summer as our Assistant Director of Athletic Bands. Conductor and Music Director, Patrick Dunnigan has contributed three works to the program. New transcriptions of Pavane, by Gabriel Fauré, and Radetzky March, by Johann Strauss, Sr., will have their formal premieres. Additionally, the aforementioned Fanfare from La Péri is also a new scholarly edition by Dunnigan. Rounding out the program will be works by Astor Piazolla, Antonin Dvorak, and Aaron Copland. The concert will conclude with Illumination by the late David Maslanka.

University Philharmonia - PROGRAM - Thursday, November 12 - 7:30 PM - this Livestream concert is now available to view here
The University Philharmonia, under the direction of Alexander Jim é nez, will take the stage on Thursday, November 12^th for a Livestream concert featuring works by Beethoven, Britten, Bizet and more. The program includes Beethoven's Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, Chevalier De Saint-Georges' Symphony No. 2, Britten's Simple Symphony, Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2, and Butterworth's The Banks of Green Willow. 

Read Gainsford, piano - PROGRAM - Friday, November 13 - 7:30 PM 4fsu Comcast Channel 4. - Now available to view here
FSU faculty pianist Read Gainsford will be featured in a special broadcast of Beethoven piano sonatas, recorded live in Opperman Music Hall. The program continues a College of Music celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth with these distinctive hallmark compositions for piano. The program includes Sonata in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1, Sonata in B-flat Major, Op.22, Sonata in F Major, Op. 54, and Sonata in A Major, Op. 101. 

University Concert Band and University Symphonic Band - PROGRAM - Wednesday, November 25 - 7:30 PM - 4fsu Comcast Channel 4
Concert Band now available to view here
Symphonic Band now available to view here
The University Concert Band, under the direction of Steven Kelly and graduate conducting associates Leslie Kupetz and Victoria Russo, will take the stage and perform Gustav Holst's First Suite in Eb for Military Band, John Mackey's This Cruel Moon, Hiroshi Hoshina's Fu-Mon, and Ralph Vaughan Williams' Sea Songs. The Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Plack and graduate conducting associates Stephanie DeLuca and Rachel Sorenson, will take the stage and perform Andrew Blair's anti-Fanfare, Jennifer Higdon's Mysterium, Percy Grainger's Irish Tune and Shepherd's Hey, Roshanne Etezady's Against the Rain, and Yosuke Fukuda's Symphonic Dances.

Wind Orchestra- Wednesday, December 9 - CANCELLED 
The University Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Richard Clary will take the stage and perform Adam Gorb's 3 Scenes from "Bruegel," Cesar Franck/Koenig's Prelude, fugue et variation, Op. 18, John Mackey's Strange Humors for Saxophone Quartet and Djembe, Christopher Marshall's Light, James Syler's Blue-Bop and Mam-Blu, Roger Zare's Mare Tranquillitatis, and James M. David's Menlo Park, 1879.

The University Musical Associates is guided by an Executive Committee, a group of 14 community volunteers. Please see a complete listing of Committee members.

Questions concerning UMA information can be directed to Kim Shively. Contact information listed below:

Kim Shively
College of Music
Florida State University
PO Box 3061180
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1180
(850) 644-4744