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Department of Fine Arts
Performing Arts Highlights 2007-2008

Allen JohnsonFMU First Tuesday Chamber Music Series
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Recital by Allen Johnson, lute and guitar
with Laura Greenway, flute

Mr. Allen Johnson is a native of Columbia, SC, and has been involved in music since an early age. While attending Columbia High School, he was twice a member of the All State Chorus in the bass section and three times in the Columbia All City Band as a clarinetist. He also acquired self-taught skill as a folk guitarist and Appalachian Dulcimer player.

At the University of South Carolina, he studied voice and clarinet and began to develop the classical guitar style. With well-known conductor Arpad Daraz, a student of the famous pedagogue Zoltan Kodaly, Mr. Johnson was a member of the USC Concert Choir which toured Europe, won many Festival competitions, and performed at the 1975 MENC convention in New Orleans and the 1977 Spoleto Festival in Charleston. Mr. Johnson was also a member of the USC Collegium Musicum, an ensemble devoted to the performance of early music, primarily of the Renaissance and Medieval periods. He played recorders, crumhorn, cornamuse, rackett, shawm and cornetto with this group, which included lute, viol and guitar players. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music History in 1977.

Since coming to Florence in 1983 to open a branch of Parker Music Co., he has served as an adjunct professor at Coker College, and has played violin in the Florence Symphony Orchestra for a number of years.

Mr. Johnson has been very involved in the local music scene, performing in the Little Theater pit orchestra, accompanying the Masterworks Choir, and performing with numerous school and civic events, including Medieval Madrigal Dinner performances at South Florence High and Coker College.

Mr Johnson is a past board member of the Florence Area Arts Alliance. As an Arts advocate, he presented a lecture to the Pee Dee Heritage Center on Music In the Pee Dee, which was sponsored by FMU, Coker College, Coastal Carolina and the Governor's School.

Mr. Johnson has taught in the public schools strings program at Wilson High and Williams Middle School, and now concentrates on teaching private lessons and performing.
 
On Lute
Go From My Window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anon
Pavane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alphonsono Ferrabosco
Packþs Pound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anon
Lachrimae Pavane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Dowland

On Guitar
Pavanas Y Folias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gaspar Sanz 1640-1710
Cadence and Allegro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mauro Giuliani 1781-1829
Prelude. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. S. Bach 1685-1750
     From the Suite in C Minor for Lute
Andante and Andantino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fernando Carulli 1770-1841
Sarabande and Double . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. S. Bach 1685-1750
     From the Partita #1 for solo violin
Brazilian Lullaby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Traditional
Study in A Minor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matteo Carcassi 1792-1853
Spanish Ballad (Romance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Traditional
Study in D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fernando Sor 1778-1839
Leccion in A Minor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fernando Sor 1778-1839
Allegro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mauro Giuliani 1781-1829
Amelia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jubing Kristianto 2003
Lagrima. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Francisco Tarrega 1854-1909

With Laura Greenway on Flute
Siciliana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. S. Bach 1685-1750
     From Sonata #2 For Flute and Harpsichord
Gavotte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G. F. Handel 1685-1759
     From Sonata For Flute In C Major
Serenade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Franz Schubert 1797-1828
Country Dance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anon.

Molier than thou
 FMU Artist and Lecture Series
Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 8:00 pm
Chapman Auditorium, McNair Science Bldg.
Free Admission / No Advance Reservations

Molière Than Thou by Timothy Mooney

With thirteen Moliere plays in my portfolio, I realized that I had been writing material faster than theatres could produce it, and that the best way to introduce this work to the world would be to create a a play in which some of Moliere's funniest speeches could be explored.

Moliere Than Thou finds Moliere left without a cast, when all of his fellow performers happen to consume "the same sort of shell fish" at one of the local public inns that the company tends to frequent. Rather than actually refund the precious box office income, Moliere offers to perform a "greatest hits" of sorts, and leads the audience (which occasionally participates) through a hilarious succession of favorite speeches that trace his illustrious career. Mooney, himself, plays Moliere, who performs routines from Tartuffe, Don Juan, The Doctor In Spite of Himself, The Precious Young Maidens, The Misanthrope and The School For Wives among others.

This gives Moliere the perfect opportunity to explain his process of working on these plays, while managing to take a few deft stabs at some of his enemies: the doctors, the lawyers, and the sanctimonious hypocrites who would attack him throughout the years.

"MOLIERE THAN THOU (is a) one-act play that is essentially a super-condensed greatest hits compilation of plays by the eponymous French master, all performed by one man, in English.  The reviews are extraodinary." -- Jon Tuttle

 Hotlanta Jazz SextetFMU Artist Series Concert
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Kassab Recital Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Free Admission / No Advance Reservations

Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz Sextet

Hotlanta sets your feet firmly on Bourbon Street in Old New Orleans. You'll experience every bit of the joy, energy, and humor of that early American Jazz called Dixieland. Songs from Fats Waller, Hoagy Carmichael, Louie Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, plus many old favorites like "Sweet Georgia Brown", "Royal Garden Blues", "South", "Hard Hearted Hannah", and "When The Saints Go Marchin' In" are all part of Hotlanta's musical treat.

Based in Atlanta, the group has performed extensively in the South since its founding by Don Erdman in 1990 with appearances at "The Famous Door" on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter, The Brevard College Jazz Festival in North Carolina, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, to name a few. Beyond the South, Hotlanta's music has been enjoyed around the globe at clubs and jazz festivals in Spain, Germany, Japan, France, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.

Hugh Rainey, of Jazz Journal International. London, England, wrote in his review of Hotlanta's compact disc "Happy Feet", "The front musicians are all accomplished and the standard of solos, so important in the Dixieland approach, is high.... a pleasing and promising debut album."

Jon Wacker, in McCook, Nebraska's Daily Gazette reviewed a Hotlanta concert. "Improvisation is the heart of this music and Hotlanta showed that they were up to making it happen. Dixieland is a true American form that has provided the basis for so many other types of popular music. It was a treat to hear it presented so well and with a lot of class."

In The Atlanta Journal / Constitution, Steve Dollar's review praised the group when he wrote "Jazz fans are passionate over Hotlanta Dixieland Jazz when they show off their revved-up renditions of everything from prewar New Orleans chestnuts to postwar Duke Ellington standards."

Hotlanta's full instrumentation is the traditional sextet: Clarinet, Cornet, Trombone, Banjo/Vocals, Tuba and Drums. Hotlanta also performs as a trio, quartet, or quintet. In addition to their "Happy Feet" CD, other recordings include "Live in Spain" from a performance at Spain's Jazzaldia Festival, "The Saints", a CD on the Intersound label, and their newest CD "There Ain't No Jazz Like Dixieland".

FiguerasFMU First Tuesday Chamber Music Series
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Recital: Erick and Erin Figueras, baritone and soprano, with William Mills, piano

Erick J. Figueras has been a Florence resident for three years.  Prior to his moving he was a teacher and professional singer in New York.  Erick has performed professionally with the The New York Choral Artists, New York Philharmonic, The American Symphony Orchestra, The Greenleaf Chamber Players, and the Chamber Orchestra of the Curtis Institute of Music in concerts at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and elsewhere.  His career highlight is the New York Philharmonic Memorial and Benefit Concert for 9/11 victims (Brahms’ A German Requiem).  He has performed in two Live from Lincoln Center broadcasts and served as a recording artist for Titan Sports.  This December Erick sung the role of King Kaspar in Menotti’s Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors under the direction of Dr. Ford Lallerstedt, Erick’s good friend, teacher and musical mentor from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.  Erick earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the Conservatory of Music at the State University of New York at Purchase where he composed the songs for his senior recital.  Later he received a Masters in Music Education from Manhattanville College.  Currently, Erick is a doctoral student in the College of Fine Arts at Boston University.  In addition to his singing and teaching, Erick has been active as a professional church musician, composer and choral director for the past fifteen years.  In South Carolina, he served as the music director for Elim Baptist Church and currently serves as Music Director for Lake City United Methodist Church and South Florence High School.

Erin Strock Figueras was born in Indiana but was raised and schooled in Florence.  She attended Coker College initially, majoring in chemistry.  Later she followed her heart, studying vocal performance.   Erin toured Italy singing in various venues and studying at the Sienese Institute for Music and Art.  After meeting a prominent New York voice coach while in Italy, Erin moved to New York graduating from the Conservatory of Music at the State University of New York at Purchase with a Bachelors degree in vocal performance where she studied with the late Mariana Paunova, Kaori Sato and Bonnie Hamilton.  Later she earned a Master of Arts in elementary education from Manhattanville College.  For the past ten years Erin has been active as a professional church musician both as a chorister and a soloist throughout the New York metropolitan area and in Florence.  Erin has sung as a soloist in the Lake City Concert Series, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance Honda Concert Series, and has appeared as a guest soloist on several occasions at Central United Methodist Church under the direction of Bill Mills.  Currently Erin works as a third grade teacher and enjoys singing in her husband’s choir at Lake City UMC.  Erin and Erick met while singing in Italy and have been married for four years.

William Mills earned the Bachelors and Masters degrees in performance at the Florida State University and the University of South Carolina, respectively.  With many appearances as organ recitalist across the United States, he has performed at the Piccolo Spoletto Festival in Charleston, SC.  As pianist, he has collaborated with the Firenze Quartet, the vocal ensemble of Philadelphia, and Metropolitan Opera tenor Michael Best.  He is music director and organist at Central United Methodist Church in Florence, SC, and is the founder and director of the Masterworks Choir and Orchestra.  

The couple will appear together as soloists in the November 18th
Florence Masterworks Choir concert at Central United Methodist Church.

FMU Wind Symphony Concert
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Chapman Auditorium, McNair Science Bldg, 8:00 pm
University Wind Symphony
Dr. Terry Roberts, conductor

The Wind Symphony rehearses on Tuesday evenings and is open to adult participation.  This is the fourth year we have performed in this format.  As you can see from the personnel roster, the membership is evenly divided between FMU students and community participants.  We are always seeking additional participants; if you play a band instrument or know someone looking for a place to play, please contact us.  Information can be found at http://web.fmarion.edu/~finearts/windband.htm or email Dr. Roberts at troberts@fmarion.edu.

 
PROGRAM


 Dr. Roberts directs
Dr. Terry Roberts, conductor
Affabre ConcinuiFMU Artist Series Concert
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Kassab Recital Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Free Admission / No Advance Reservations

Affabre Concinui - the Polish Chamber Singers

Affabre Concinui (Latin for "ideally harmonized," the ensemble's artistic credo) was formed in 1983 by alumni of two famous men's choirs in the city of Poznan and made its debut at a Christmas concert in Gdansk. Since then the ensemble has performed in all the cities of Poland as well as in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Lebanon, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the Ukraine, USA, and the Vatican at major concert halls and important music festivals.

The ensemble, also known as the Polish Chamber Singers, has won a number of top prizes at international vocal competitions, including those in Gorizia, Italy, in 1988, and Arezzo, Italy, in 1994. The singers have frequently represented their homeland at international events such as the 1992 World Exposition in Seville, the 1995 Festival of Polish Culture in Taiwan, the 1996 World Economic Forum in Switzerland, and the Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Affabre Concinui has recorded numerous CDs for Harmonia Mundi and are regulars on Polish radio and television. Their repertoire consists of well over 300 works ranging from Renaissance to contemporary, including many pop musical standards.

"In the first part of the program they sang mostly songs of the British renaissance-wonderfully sung pieces by John Dowland, Thomas Morley, and others, including infectiously sung works by Vivaldi and Bach. In the second part, more modern hits like "Yesterday," "Danny Boy," "What a Wonderful world," and Che sera" by José Feliciano were performed with marvelous and unconventional arrangements." (Nordbayerischer Kurier, Wuerzburg, Germany)

"No musician working in a studio with a mixing console could make more perfect sound using technical means. Affabre Concinui can do it without showing-off. The gentlemen on stage look like bankers, but they certainly don't act like that. In the second part of the concert they showed their comic talent, to the great pleasure of the audience." (Heider Anzeiger, Heide, Germany)

                                       PROGRAM
Sing we and chant it ................................... Thomas Morley (1557/58–1602)
Hark, all ye lovely saints ............................... Thomas Weelkes (1575–1623)
Ach Elslein, liebes Elselein ......................... Ludwig Senfl (c. 1486–1542/43)
Il est bel et bon?................................... Pierre Passereau (c. 1509–1547)
Amor vittorioso .................................... Giovanni Gastoldi (1555/56–1622)
Villanella alla napolitana......................... Baldassare Donato (ca. 1530–1603)

The Four Seasons: Winter................................. Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
                                                                    arr. L. Marciniak

Badinerie ......................................... Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
                                                                  arr. P. Lewandowski

An die Laute.............................................. Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
Who is Sylvia?
Plaisir d’amour......................................... Giovanni Martini (1706–1784)

Der Kuckuck........................................ German Folksong, arr. D. Runswick
Zielony mosteczek................................... Polish Folksong, arr. P. Czekala
Szla dzieweczka..................................... Polish Folksong, arr. P. Czekala
Duetto buffo di due gatti............................. Gioacchino Rossini (1792–1868)
                                                                      arr. P. Czekala

How deep is your love................................ R. B. M. Gibb, arr. J. Sykulski
Only the lonely....................................... R. Orbison, arr. J. Skowronski
Che sara ............................................ J. Fontana, arr. P. Lewandowski
Oh, Lady be good..................................... G. Gershwin, arr. J. Skowronski
Lollipop................................................... J. Dixon, arr. K. Herdzin
Stand by me............................................. B. King, arr. P. Lewandowski
Mrs. Robinson............................................. P. Simon, arr. J. Sykulski
Oh, Carol................................................. N. Sedaka, arr. P. Czekala
Hello Mary Lou......................................... G. Pitney, arr. J. Walczynski

Bolero .................................................... Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
                                                                     arr. J. Sykulski


FMU First Tuesday Chamber Music Series
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Recital: Mindy Burgin, cello, with Elsie Pollock, piano

Mindy Burgin began studying cello at age 9. She is a graduate of Southern Adventist University with degrees in nursing and organ performance. Mindy continued her music education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where she studied cello with Wesley Baldwin. After finishing her graduate degree, Mindy moved to Georgetown. She is now a member of the Florence Symphony Orchestra, and serves as organist at St. James Episcopal Church in McClellenville and Myrtle Beach Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She works part-time as a registered nurse at Conway Medical Center, and is founder and executive director of the non-profit Kirabo Foundation. Mindy and her husband, Kirk, have two young sons.

Elsie Pollock is a native of Georgetown. Ms. Pollock began her piano studies at an early age, and pursued both piano and organ in college. She graduated from Furman University with a degree in music theory, and continued her piano and organ studies after graduation, first at Meredith College and then at UNC-Wilmington. She has soloed with the Charleston, Wilmington and Greenville symphonies, and has performed a chamber music series in Charleston. After serving more than 30 years as music director at Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church in Georgetown,  Ms. Pollock took a position this year as assistant organist and choir director at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Litchfield. She also maintains a busy private piano studio.

                             PROGRAM

Sonata No. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Domenico Gabrielli
      Grave                                                  (1659-1690)
      Allegro
      Largo
      Prestissimo

Sonata for Viola da Gamba in g minor. . . . . . . .Johann Sebastian Bach
      Vivace                                                 (1685-1750)
      Adagio
      Allegro

Fond Recollections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Popper
                                                             (1843-1913)

Three Easy Pieces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Paul Hindemith
                                                             (1895-1963)

Intermezzo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edvard Grieg
                                                             (1843-1907)

Variations on "Bei M„nnern". . . . . . . . . . . . .Ludwig Van Beethoven
      from The Magic Flute (W.A. Mozart)                     (1770-1827)

Tango. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Sureda/C. Castillo

FMU Fine Arts Department
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Student Lecture Recital: Marina S. D'souza, piano

Coming from a musical background, Marina D’souza is a native of Hyderabad, India.  In her family were musicians who performed for the Nizam of Hyderabad state and in the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. Her great grandfathers Marion Anthony and J.M Domingo were violinists in the Palace Orchestra of the  Maharaja of Mysore and performed with Zubin Mehta and his father Mehli Mehta. John Joseph Anthony, her grandfather, was the lead tenor in choirs and ensembles in St Thomas Church Choir.

Having learned Indian classical vocal styles as a child, she participated in many church and state school singing competitions.  Specializing in Physics, Chemistry and French, in high school, she went on to the  J.B Institute of Information and Technology majoring in Computer Science and Information Technology.

In 2003, she moved to the United States and transferred to Francis Marion University where her major is Psychology and her minors are Music. She will  graduate in December 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. She has received the Alumni Association Scholarship and an FMU Fine Arts Performance Scholarship. Presently, she is a member of Psi Chi, The National Honor Society of Psychology. She plans to pursue graduate studies in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology.  She was a member of the Francis Marion University Wind Symphony and now sings with the FMU Concert Choir.
 
Initiating study of the piano  with Benjamin Woods in 2004, she has found piano playing to be a major interest.  Her accomplishment in this area made it possible for her to be recognized with a superior rating in the live examinations of the National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions in 2007. She is presenting this student lecture piano recital as a culmination of her piano and music literature experiences at FMU.

                             PROGRAM

Two-Part Invention No.4 in D minor, BWV 775........Johann Sebastian Bach

Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, No. 3........................Muzio Clementi
             Spiritoso 
             Un poco adagio
             Allegro

Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59, “Für Elise”...........Ludwig Van Beethoven

Étude facile, Op. 45, No. 2, “Avalanche”..................Stephen Heller

Valse Mélancolique, Op. 2, No. 3.......................Vladimir Rebikoff

Polonaise in G Minor............................Frédéric Francois Chopin

Bagatelle, Op. 5, No. 5................Alexander Nikolayevich Tcherepnin

Bagatelle, Op. 5, No. 1................Alexander Nikolayevich Tcherepnin


FMU Department of Fine Arts
Thursday, 27 November 2007
Chapman Auditorium, McNair Science Bldg, 8:00 pm
University Jazz Express
Craig Alberty, conductor

This semester, the University Jazz Express provides FMU students with an opportunity to explore the jazz repertoire in a small, improvisational ensemble.  Contact Dr. Terry Roberts 843.661.1681 for additional information about participating in the Jazz Express.
 
                              PROGRAM


 FMU Jazz Express
FMU Department of Fine Arts
Tuesday, 29 November 2007
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Cut Time Show Choir
Sue Butler Orr, director

Francis Marion’s show choir, CUT TIME is an audition-only group which combines singing and choreography.  This group performs throughout the region for schools and service organizations.  In the fall of 1996 they traveled to Lake City and Charleston, singing in 5 high schools.  In October of 1997 they sang at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando.  In 1998 they traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, in Washington, D.C. and in Vienna, Austria.  In April of 2002, they returned to Disney World and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café.  Spring of 2003 included a performance cruise to the Bahamas.
 Cut Time choir
FMU Department of Fine Arts
Sunday, 2 December 2007, 4:00 pm
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1201 Cherokee Rd, Florence
Francis Marion University Concert Choir
Sue Butler Orr, director

Open to all university students, the University Concert Choir has an average enrollment of between 35 and 45 students.  This group has sung in numerous area churches and has also performed with the Florence Symphony Orchestra.  They have performed such major choral works as the “Polovetzian Dance and Chorus” of Alexander Borodin, the “Schicksalslied” of Johannes Brahms, and the Ninth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven.  Recently their concerts have included selections accompanied by the newly formed Francis Marion string ensemble.
 FMU Concert Choir

Woods Family

Department of Fine Arts Guest Recital
Friday, 11 January 2008
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Recital: Woods Family and Fleur de Lis Strings Benefit Concert

Fleur de Lis Strings ensemble is composed of the intermediate to advanced students from the studio of Sherry Woods. Many of them are performing in tonight’s benefit program to help raise funds for a trip to Disney World where they have been invited to perform at the Galaxy Theater in Disney World on April 15, 2008.  The students on this program were all selected by audition to the recent All-Region Orchestras in Hilton Head, South Carolina.  Members of this group have been chosen by audition to the South Carolina All-State orchestras, were winners of the All-City concerto competition, have won awards at summer music camps, and participate in the Florence District 1 DOME program for musically gifted students. These student’s have received scholarships from the Florence/Darlington Strings scholarship fund to attend music camps at North Carolina School of the Arts, Furman University, East Carolina University, and Francis Marion University. They are joining the Woods family for tonight’s program.

Christopher Woods has played the violin since age four. He has won numerous state and national awards and scholarships, enabling him to study at such prestigious music camps as Brevard, Interlochen, Meadowmount, Killington, the Daniel Heifetz Festival and the Henry Mancini Institute and Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra held at UCLA in Los Angeles where he was one of the concertmasters and jazz soloists.He has studied at the North Carolina school of the Arts with Kevin Lawrence, in master classes with violinist-violist-conductor Pinkas Zuckerman, as a scholarship student of Sergiu Swartz at the Harrid Conservatory in Florida, with Frits deJonge at the University of South Carolina, and with Patinka Kopec at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in violin performance. He has performed concertos by Tchaikowsky, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Bruch, Sarasate, and Sherry Woods with the Florence Symphony, the Spartanburg Philharmonic, the USC Orchestra, and the South Carolina Philharmonic. Based in Los Angeles California, he maintains a career in the music performance and entertainment industries, appearing in productions of Jessica Simpson, Jay Leno, and Stephen Spielberg.

Benjamin Woods has given numerous solo piano concerts across the country, including Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, and Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City where he made his d‚but in 1985. He has performed as guest soloist with the Florence Symphony Orchestra, Florence SC, in concertos of Brahms, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Dohnanyi and Gershwin, he has performed the Beethoven Choral Fantasy with the Florence Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra, and he has performed Beethoven concertos nos. 3, 4, and 5 with conductor John Paul and members of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Jackson Mississippi. A professor of music at Francis Marion University in Florence, he was Conductor/Music Director of the Florence Symphony from 1996 to 2002. He was recently selected as an FMU Board of Trustees Research Scholar, and as the J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor of 2005-2006.  He continues both his teaching and performing careers.

Adrienne Woods has won numerous awards for her playing, including public school and ensemble competitions, college and university performances, and professional solo and symphonic engagements. As a professional orchestral musician and soloist, she has been a regular performer with the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, the Florence Symphony Orchestra, and the Augusta Symphony.  She has performed with the Masterworks Choir Orchestra of Florence, SC, and the Long Bay Symphony Orchestra of Myrtle Beach, SC. Having made her cello orchestral-soloist début with the Florence Symphony, she was invited to return to perform the Dvořák Concerto for Cello and Orchestra with them. Relocating to Los Angeles, California, she became a member of the Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra of the Henry Mancini Institute at UCLA, and was a member of the Début Orchestra of Beverly Hills.  Besides this she is doing some teaching, recording studio work and music video backgrounds, and other interests and pursuits.

Sherry Martin Woods, former principal violist with the Florence Symphony, member of the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Firenze Quartet, and the Woods Piano Quartet, is well known as a performer, composer and educator. She and Benjamin Woods have been chosen several times as performing artists for the South Carolina Arts Commission's Community Tour Program. Sherry Woods earned the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in viola performance at USC in 1991 and the DMA in Composition in December of 1997. She has taught at both Francis Marion University and the University of South Carolina. Sherry Woods continues to compose, teach violin and viola, and perform solo literature, with orchestras, and with chamber music groups. Woods was the recipient of the South Carolina chapter of the American String Teachers’ Association “Private Studio of the Year” for 2007. Benjamin and Sherry were invited to Bangkok, Thailand in July to perform her “Ruins” for viola and piano for the 2007 International College Music Society conference.

Barban DuoDepartment of Fine Arts Guest Recital
Thursday, 17 January 2008
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Recital: Duo Pianists Eugene and Judith Barban

Dr. Judith Barban is Professor Emerita of Winthrop University where she taught in the Modern Language and Music Departments.  She holds the BA, MA, and PhD in French, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance. She has published widely in the areas of Medieval French Language and Literature and interart studies of  music and French poetry.  She has performed frequently in piano duo, most notably with pianist Ann Herlong—as recipients of a grant from the South Carolina Arts Commission, and more recently with her husband, Dr. Eugene Barban, also Professor Emeritus of Winthrop.

Dr. Eugene Barban is Professor Emeritus of Winthrop University where he taught piano and piano literature. His doctorate degree is from the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. He has performed widely in this country, Europe, Asia and South America including several recitals in New York City. Dr. Barban maintains an active performing schedule with recitals in the Southeast and Japan scheduled for this season. He is on the faculty of the Adamant Music School in Vermont and has recently conducted a series of master classes at the South Carolina Governor’s School of the Arts. Dr. Barban serves as director of the Walter Hautzig Summer Master Class at Winthrop University.

The Barbans maintain an active private studio in their home in Tega Cay, SC, teaching students of all levels and coaching piano teachers.

                             PROGRAM

Gavotte and Variations in A minor . . . . . . . Jean-Phillipe Rameau

Adagio and Fugue in C minor, K. 546 and 426 . . . . . . W. A. Mozart

Danse Macabre Op.40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Camille Saint-Saẽns

L'Embarquement pour Cythère . . . . . . . . . . . . .Francis Poulenc

Variations on a Theme of Paganini . . . . . . . . Witold Lutoslawski

FugoFMU First Tuesday Chamber Music Series
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Recital: Charles Fugo, piano

Always a favorite in recital and with the Florence Symphony, Dr. Fugo's program promises to be a highlight of our First Tuesday Chamber Recital season. Charles Fugo is a Professor of Music at the University of South Carolina. He received his B.M. degree at Oberlin Conservatory and his master’s and doctoral degrees at Indiana University. He also studied at the Akademie des Mozarteums in Salzburg, Austria. His teachers include Joseph Schwartz, Winfried Wolf, Abbey Simon, and Jorge Bolet, with chamber music study under Menahem Pressler of the Beaux Arts Trio. He has been on the USC music faculty since 1972, where he teaches piano, supervises the accompanying program, and is coordinator of the piano division. He served on the faculty of the Anderson College Piano Performance Camp and is currently a staff member of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. He has performed with the South Carolina Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestra, the USC Orchestra, and the Charleston Symphony, and has appeared frequently on state-wide Educational Radio and TV programs. Dr. Fugo is also a member of the American Arts Trio.

                                PROGRAM

Sonata in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ludwig van Beethoven
      Allegro con brio                                               (1770-1827)
      Adagio
      Scherzo: Allegro
      Allegro assai

Allegretto in C Minor, D. 915. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Franz Schubert
                                                                     (1797-1828)

Prelude in C Major, Op. 32, No. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sergei Rachmaninoff
Etude-Tableau in C Major, Op. 33, No. 2                              (1873-1943)
Etude-Tableau in C Minor, Op. 39, No. 1

Mazurka in C-sharp Minor, Op. 41, No. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . Fr‚d‚ric Chopin
Mazurka in F-sharp Minor, Op. 59, No. 3                              (1810-1849)
Polonaise-Fantasie, Op. 61

Etincelles, Op. 36, No. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moritz Moszkowski
Siciliano, Op. 42, No. 2                                             (1854-1925)
Caprice Espagnol, Op. 37
FMU Guest Recital
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Kassab Recital Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 7:30 pm

Toshiko Kohno, flute, with Lambert Orkis, piano

Toshiko Kohno, born in Tokyo, has been Principal Flutist of the National Symphony Orchestra since 1978. She studied with Doriot Anthony Dwyer, former principal flutist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and with Joseph Mariano at the Eastman School of Music. Before coming to the National Symphony she played in the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Montreal Symphony. First prize winner of the 1973 Geneva International Competition, she has made solo appearances with numerous orchestras, including l'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the New Japan Philharmonic, the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. She has performed at the Marlboro and Aspen Music Festivals, and has been on the faculty of the Affinis Music Festival in Japan.

In 1982, at the invitation of then Music Director Mstislav Rostropovich, Lambert Orkis joined Washington's Kennedy Center-based National Symphony Orchestra in the capacity of Principal Keyboard in which role he continues, playing piano, celesta, harpsichord, and synthesizer under current Music Director Leonard Slatkin. During these years, Orkis has performed a wealth of repertoire including many premieres and music of the 20th century in the orchestra's subscription series, and has toured North and South America, Europe, and Asia with the ensemble. The playing of chamber music is an important component of symphonic life. Orkis was a member of the ad hoc committee that formulated the guidelines for performance under which the orchestra's chamber music concerts are governed. With colleagues from the orchestra, Orkis has played a wide variety of repertoire not only in the Washington area and in the US through the orchestra's Residency and Outreach programs, but also during orchestra tours in Europe, Asia, South America, and its residencies at the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico. In 1990, at the request of Mstislav Rostropovich, he represented the National Symphony with Principal Clarinetist Loren Kitt and Associate Concertmaster Elisabeth Adkins in a chamber music tour of Italy and France.

 
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Sonata in A major, BWV 1032
CARL REINECKE Sonata in E major for Flute and Piano, Op. 167 (“Undine”)
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Sonata in D major for Flute and Piano, Op. 94

 
Lomazov/Rackers Piano DuoBurns Memorial Recital / FMU Artist Series Concert
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Kassab Recital Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Free Admission / No Advance Reservations

Lomazov/Rackers Piano Duo

The Lomazov/Rackers Piano Duo has performed to enthusiastic audiences in concert halls and with orchestra since they met at the Eastman School of Music in 1999.  Praised by The State (Columbia, SC) music critic as “…exceptional talents…” the Duo was awarded the Second Prize at the prestigious Sixth Biennial Ellis Duo Piano Competition, the only national competition for piano duo in the United States.

Recent international engagements include serving as Guest Artists at the 2005 Varna International Masterclasses in Piano in Varna, Bulgaria and the 2006 Moulin d’Ande Arts Festival in Normandy, France where they also served as judges for the Second Moulin d’Ande International Piano Competition.  In June of 2007 the Duo was invited to perform two-piano concertos by Mozart and Poulenc with the Filarmonia Orchestra at Kiev Summer Music Evenings festival in Kiev and Chernigov, Ukraine.

In the United States, recent performances include the “Live from Hochstein” recital series, broadcast on WXXI radio (NPR, Rochester, NY), Music at Penn Alps (MD) and Hendersonville Chamber Music Series (NC), as well as concerts as soloists with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra (SC) and University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra.  They are regular performers at the Southern Exposure Contemporary Music Series (SC), where they recently gave performances of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and Halleluiah Junction by American composer John Adams.  In 2004, they were awarded a Messinger Grant for performances in New York City and served as Convention Artists for the South Carolina Federation of Music Clubs State Convention.

As a solo pianist, Marina Lomazov has performed throughout the United States as well as Europe, South America and the Far East.  She has won prizes in the Bachauer, Cleveland, Hilton Head, Kapell and National Federation solo piano competitions and was the first pianist to be awarded the Artist Diploma at the Eastman School of Music in nearly two decades.  Joseph Rackers has performed in the United States, Canada, China and Europe at important venues including the Banff Centre for the Arts (Canada), Yantai International Music Festival (China) and numerous American venues including radio broadcasts, music festivals and conventions.  He has held faculty positions at the Eastman School of Music Community Education Division and the Hochstein Music School, among others.

Ms. Lomazov and Mr. Rackers both hold the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music and both currently serve on the piano faculty at the University of South Carolina School of Music.
Piano Sonata in C major, K. 521 for piano 4 hands. . . . . . . . .W.A. Mozart
     I.  Allegro                                                  (1756-1791)
     II. Andante
     III.Allegretto

Ad Lucem (2008) for two piano. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Fitz Rogers
                                                                    (b. 1963)
    
Variations on a Theme by Paganini. . . . . . . . . . . . . Witold Lutoslawski
     (1941) for two pianos                                        (1913-1994)

The Rite of Spring (for two pianos). . . . . . . . . . . . . .Igor Stravinsky
                                                                (1882 - 1971)
     Part I: Adoration of the Earth
         Introduction
         The Augurs of Spring (Dances of the Young Girls)
         Ritual of Abductions
         Spring Rounds (Round Dance)
         Ritual of the Two Rival Tribes
         Procession of the Oldest and Wisest One (The Sage)
         The Kiss of the Earth (Adoration of the Earth, or the Wise Elder)
         The Dancing Out of the Earth

     Part II: The Sacrifice
         Introduction
         Mystic Circle of the Young Girls
         The Naming and Honoring of the Chosen One
         Evocation of the Ancestors (Ancestral Spirits)
         Ritual Action of the Ancestors
         Sacrificial Dance (the Chosen One)
THE DAVID MARSHALL AND CATHERINE KOGER BURNS MEMORIAL RECITAL SERIES
    David Marshall Burns, Jr., and Catherine Koger Burns, natives of Charleston, South Carolina, were married and moved to Florence in 1933 where they became actively involved in civic activities and the arts. The Bums Recital Series was established in 1989 by Catherine Burns in memory of her husband and, upon her death in 1995, the Series was renamed the David Marshall and Catherine Koger Burns Memorial Recital Series.
    Mr. Burns was a graduate of the Medical University School of Pharmacy, with a post-graduate degree in pharmaceutical chemistry. Mr. Burns was chief pharmacist at Roper Hospital in Charleston until 1933 when he became Medical Service Representative for Eli Lilly and Company, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, and moved to Florence.
    He was a member of the South Carolina Pharmaceutical Association as well as the Travelling Men's Organization. He served on the Board of Health of Florence and was Chairman of the Salvation Army Board. He was a member of the Board of Stewards of Central Methodist Church. He was volunteer instructor of pharmacology at McLeod's Nursing School and was twice chosen by the nurses as outstanding teacher.
    Mr. Burns was a member of the Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Singing in America, Inc., an organization dedicated to the support of a hospital in Kansas which treats children with speech and hearing defects.
    He was a member of The Graduates, a Quartet which performed at various affairs including Art's Alive at Francis Marion University. He was honored by the local chapter in 1973 and again in 1984 when he was chosen Barbershopper of the Year. His hobby was antique clock collecting and repair. His collection of about 250 clocks went to a museum in North Carolina. After his retirement from Eli Lilly, Mr. Bums worked part-time at Dixon's Drug Store on Dargan Street.
    Catherine Koger Bums was a graduate of Memminger High School in Charleston and later earned degrees in Music and English at Coker College in Hartsville. A talented actress, she later took post graduate work at the University of North Carolina and studied drama at the Bennett School, Millbrook, New York. After a brief attempt to make a New York career in the theater, Mrs. Bums returned to South Carolina and taught piano in Midland, South Carolina, under the supervision of her cousin, Nell Mellichamp. Soon thereafter in 1933, she was married to David Marshall Burns of Charleston.
    In Florence, Mrs. Burns continued to perform as a regular with the Florence Little Theatre and played several leading roles in radio dramas produced by WIS, Columbia, and WCSC, Charleston. As a frequent reader at her Sorosis Literary Club, Mrs. Burns became regionally recognized as an interpreter of the poetry of Dubose Heywood, Harvey Alien, and others. For many years Mrs. Burns performed dramatic readings and narrations at Christmas and Easter Holidays at Central United Methodist Church and Timrod Park. Probably, however, the most satisfaction she ever derived from the use of her talents was when she was "The Story Lady" and read classic stories to the children at the Florence Public Library. This cherished activity was resumed in her adopted hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, where she lived until her death in March 1995. This recital series is a tribute to David and Catherine Burns and their valuable contributions to the enhancement of the arts in the Pee Dee.
Vagina MonologuesV-Day Benefit
Friday, 15 April 2008
Fine Arts Theatre, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
to benefit the Pee Dee Coalition Against
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

The performance will be held on Friday, February 15 at 8 p.m. in the Hyman Fine Arts Center theatre with a light reception following.
 
There will be a special reception, beforehand, in The Cottage from 6:30-7:30 p.m., serving fine wine, beer, and light hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar will also be available at this time. Tickets for this special event are $25 (minimum donation) and include admission to the performance but must be purchased in advance.  This reception is not open to students.
 
Tickets for just the performance are $10, a minimum donation.  Seating will be general admission. Tickets may be obtained by calling (843) 661-1549. Note that “reserved” tickets will be held at the door only until 7:45 p.m. on the evening of the performance. After 7:45 p.m. all unclaimed tickets will be released and sold to anyone waiting for tickets.  
 
V-Day Francis Marion is sponsored locally by Morgan Stanley/Chip Stanley and the Francis Marion University Fine Arts Department. Please consider that the proceeds will benefit the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault, so we encourage you to donate more than the minimum if you are able.

For additional information contact Keith Best at (843) 661-1549 or dbest@fmarion.edu.
FMU Wind Symphony Concert
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Chapman Auditorium, McNair Science Bldg, 8:00 pm
University Wind Symphony
Dr. Terry Roberts, conductor

The Wind Symphony rehearses on Tuesday evenings and is open to adult participation.  This is the fourth year we have performed in this format.  As you can see from the personnel roster, the membership is evenly divided between FMU students and community participants.  We are always seeking additional participants; if you play a band instrument or know someone looking for a place to play, please contact us.  Information can be found at http://web.fmarion.edu/~finearts/windband.htm or email Dr. Roberts at troberts@fmarion.edu.

 
PROGRAM


 Wind Symphony

Dr. WoodsFMU First Tuesday Chamber Music Series
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Lecture Recital: "Contrasts" -- Dr. Benjamin Woods, pianist

BENJAMIN WOODS has given numerous solo piano concerts across the country, including Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, and Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City where he made his début in 1985. As pianist, he has presented many faculty recitals at Francis Marion University, chamber music and solo concerts at numerous other colleges and universities, and performances at community concert series and festivals. He has performed as guest soloist with the Florence Symphony Orchestra, Florence SC, in concertos of Brahms, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Dohnanyi and Gershwin. He has performed the Beethoven Choral Fantasy with the Florence Masterworks Chorus and Orchestra. He has performed Beethoven concertos nos. 3, 4, and 5 with conductor John Paul and members of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Jackson Mississippi. With the South Carolina Philharmonic, he has performed the Mozart Piano Concerto no. 23. He was selected one of twelve national finalists in the U.S. Information Agency's Artistic Ambassador Competition, and one of ten finalists in the Beethoven International Piano Competition.

Besides performing in the Woods Family Ensemble with his wife Sherry Woods, violist, and their children Christopher Woods, violinist, and Adrienne Woods, cellist, he has collaborated in recital with the Firenze String Quartet, and with artists Sue Butler Mills, soprano, Roland LeRoy Skinner, bassoonist, and, William Mills, pianist. He has also given concerts with Kathleen Vandekieft, Metropolitan Opera soprano finalist, Harold Jones, concert flutist, and Steve Maxym, principal bassoonist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Benjamin Woods has conducted concerts of the Francis Marion College Chorus, the Florence Choral Society, and the Florence Masterworks Choir and Orchestra. Having served as Music Director/Conductor of the Florence Symphony Orchestra from 1996 to 2002, he recently retired from this post to devote all his energies to piano performance. Besides great symphonic literature, he has conducted the Florence Symphony in concertos and vocal works with artists such as Robert Jesselson, Adrienne Woods and Kenneth Law, cellists, David Kim and Christopher Woods, violinists, Kathleen Vandekieft and Sue Orr, sopranos, Michael Best, tenor, Walter Hautzig, Raymond Dudley, Dana Dixon, and Michael Kim, pianists, and the Eroica Trio.

Presently a professor of music at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, Benjamin Woods has recently received the distinction of being named one of Francis Marion University's Board of Trustees' Research Scholars. This designation recognizes his outstanding scholarly achievements in music performance, and the promise of continued scholarly activity in the future.

He was selected as the 2005-2006 recipient of the J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor of Francis Marion University award which recognizes excellence in teaching, scholarship and professional achievement, and service to Francis Marion University and the community.

He earned the BS degree in performance and education as a scholarship student from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. As a Graduate Fellowship recipient, he received the Master of Music degree in performance from Midwestern University in Wichita Falls, Texas. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, studying with Raymond Dudley, Artist-in-Residence. His other teachers and coaches include such outstanding musicians as Melissa Bayard, Verlie Mitchell, Martha Craft, Hubert Kaszynski, Ivy Boland, and concert pianists Eugene List, Beveridge Webster and Walter Hautzig.
Clair de lune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Claude Debussy

Ondine from Gaspard de la nuit . . . . . . . . . . .Maurice Ravel

Moment Musical No. 5 in D♭Major, Op. 16 . . . Sergei Rachmaninoff

Etude Tableau in E♭ Minor, Op. 39, No. 5. . . Sergei Rachmaninoff

Consolation in E Major . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Franz Liszt

Mephisto Waltz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Franz Liszt


Petar JankovicFMU Artist Series Concert
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Kassab Recital Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Free Admission / No Advance Reservations

Petar Jankovic, guitar

Petar Jankovic is an artist who masterfully translates music into emotion.  He connects with audiences. And whether they have heard him play one time or one hundred times, they find themselves moved.

What is most appealing about Jankovic's style is his genuine, expressive interpretation of any given composition.  More than a classical guitar player, he is a person with the gift of communicating honest emotions of the human experience.

His expressive performances and a technical mastery found only among the world's top musicians make it easy to understand why Jankovic has received overwhelming international acclaim.  Since beginning his professional music career in 1985, he has delighted audiences at recitals and enlightened students in his master classes throughout Europe and the United States.  As a performer at major competitions around the globe, his universally evocative sound has won high regard with the world's classical music community, and as a result, Jankovic has garnered numerous prestigious awards.

Jankovic began his guitar studies at age 8 in his native Yugoslavia, where he later earned a degree in classical guitar from the renowned Music Academy in Belgrade. While in Yugoslavia, he became a two-time gold medal, silver medal, and two-time bronze medal winner at the National Music Competition. At age 16, he delivered his first professional performance, and by age 20, the Community College in Belgrade invited the young, talented Jankovic to share his expertise with beginning classical guitar students.  This marked the beginning of a distinguished teaching career that has developed alongside his successful performing career.

He went on to earn a masters degree from the Indiana University School of Music, and in the mid-90s, the I.U. School of Music invited Jankovic to pursue the esteemed Artist Diploma Degree under the guidance of Maestro Ernesto Bitetti.  Still dedicated to sharing his talent through both performing and teaching, Jankovic developed a guitar program at Franklin College of Indiana in 1997. At present, he is a faculty member at the I.U. School of Music.

A rising star among the world's top musicians, Jankovic has never paused from honing his skills and developing artistically.  In 1998, he released "Romantico" - a CD exploring the sounds of the romantic Spanish and Latino-American world, and featuring Jankovic's interpretations of pieces by famous composers such as Albeniz, Torrobba, Pipo, Piazzolla, and Ponce.  Commenting on this release, Serbian Studies, USA published, "Jankovic's interpretation points to his interest in presenting the inherent beauty of the musical phrase with great care... His interpretation testifies to his artistic maturity and dedication to the essence of the musical content of the works on this CD."  In 2002, Jankovic released his "Bogdanovic, Brouwer, Dyens" CD featuring works by the most prominent and played classical guitar composers living today.  Luis Zea, a well-known composer and guitar player from Venezuela, perhaps best captured the essence of Jankovic's style by exclaiming, "He is a natural poet!".
12th NightFMU Artist Series
Friday, 4 April 2008
Chapman Auditorium, McNair Science Bldg, 8:00 pm
Free Admission / No Advance Reservations

Twelfth Night or What You Will
by William Shakespeare
performed by National Players

“What country friend is this?” (I, ii)

Mistaken identities, misdirected passions, unrequited love, fools, reveling, and madness…  Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s popular comedy about twins Sebastian and Viola who are separated by a shipwreck boasts some of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters.  Expect National Players to reinvigorate this classic play with new insight.

If you enjoy the Friday night Shakespeare, come again on Saturday for The National Players' outdoor performance based on Jack London's Call of the Wild book at the Art's Alive! Festival.

Link to National Players Study Guide for Twelfth Night to learn about such things as letting your eyes help you interpret the language, the reasoning behind the director's decisions for setting the play in a particular time and place, and much, much more.
Woods DuoFMU First Tuesday Chamber Music Series
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
The Woods Duo Plus: Sherry & Benjamin + Christopher Woods

THE WOODS DUO performs outstanding viola/piano and solo piano literature. Programs range from traditional music of the great masters to music of our time. The Duo has performed on educational radio and television, in addition to solo and chamber music concerts across the country.

SHERRY WOODS has distinguished herself in the areas of concert and chamber viola performance, violin and viola teaching, and music composition. She was associated with the Florence Symphony for 32 years as principal violist, and is a member of the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Firenze Quartet, the Woods Family Quartet, and the Woods Duo. Many of Dr. Woods violin and viola students have won scholarships to festivals and universities preparing for musical careers.

Sherry Woods is a magna cum laude graduate of Southern Methodist University. She was the first person to be awarded a Masters degree on a string instrument from the University of South Carolina, subsequently attaining a Doctorate in Performance and another Doctorate in Composition. She was named a South Carolina Arts Commission Touring Artist for 2003-2005, and several times earlier.

In the area of composition, Dr. Woods has produced a number of significant commissioned works that have been performed in recitals and in concerts from New York City to Taiwan. Some of these works were commissioned by the Florence Symphony, the Firenze Quartet, the Florence Public School District No 1, the Lowcounty Historical Society, and the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra. Her Wisdom Fanfare was recorded by the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra (Russia) in February 2005 for Volume Six of Masterworks of a New Era, a ten CD series produced by ERM Media.

Dr. Woods has won numerous prizes for her compositions including the University of South Carolina Saxophone Composition Contest with her work, Lament for Lost Infants for saxophone quartet; the work was awarded a performance by the Vienna Saxophone Quartet. Her choral work, Sapphic Songs for women's chorus, won fourth prize in the Denver Women's Chorus National Competition. In the International Alliance of Women Composition Contest, she won the Marion Gideon First Prize for her song cycle, Of Rivers and Trees. Woods spent June 2005 as artist-in-residence at the Julia and David White Artist Colony in Costa Rica and was artist-in-residence in August at Wildacres in North Carolina.

BENJAMIN WOODS has given numerous solo piano concerts across the country, including Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress, and Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City where he made his debut in 1985. As pianist, he has presented many faculty recitals at Francis Marion University, chamber music and solo concerts at numerous other colleges and universities, and performances at community concert series and festivals. He was selected one of twelve national finalists in the U.S. Information Agency's Artistic Ambassador Competition, and one of ten finalists in the Beethoven International Piano Competition.

Benjamin Woods has conducted concerts of the Francis Marion College Chorus, the Florence Choral Society, and the Florence Masterworks Choir and Orchestra. Having served as Music Director/ Conductor of the Florence Symphony Orchestra from 1996 to 2002, he recently retired from this post to devote all his energies to solo and chamber piano performance. Presently a professor of music at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, Benjamin Woods has recently received the distinction of being named one of Francis Marion University's Board of Trustees' Research Scholars as a result of his musical performance achievements.

CHRISTOPHER WOODS has played the violin since age four. At the age of eight years, Christopher gave his first public performance at the First Tuesday Chamber Series at Francis Marion University where he played the first movement of the J. S. Bach Concerto for Two Violins with his mother, Sherry Woods.  At the age of ten, he gave a solo recital at the Arts Alive Festival at Francis Marion University, and at age twelve, his solo orchestral debut was with the Florence Symphony, performing the Mozart Concerto in G Major.

He has studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts with Kevin Lawrence, as a scholarship student of Sergiu Swartz at the Harrid Conservatory in Florida, with Fritz deJonge at the University of South Carolina, with Patinka Kopec at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and in master classes with violinist-violist-conductor Pinchas Zuckerman. In the summers of 1999 and 2000, Mr. Woods was awarded a full scholarship to the Henry Mancini Institute and Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra held at UCLA in Los Angeles, California where he was one of the concertmasters and jazz soloists.

Living in Los Angeles, California, Mr Woods is developing a performing career in the popular music industry.  He regularly returns to Florence to perform chamber music, and has performed with the Florence Little Theater, the Florence Darlington Strings, the Fleur de lis Strings, and the Masterworks Choir Orchestra.
Roumanian Melody, Op. 83, No. 5, in F Minor. . . Max Bruch
Nachgesang, Op. 83, No. 6, in G Minor. . . . . . Max Bruch


Sonata, Op. 120, No. 1, in F Minor . . . . Johannes Brahms
   Allegro appassionato
   Andante un poco Adagio
   Allegretto grazioso
   Vivace


Ruins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sherry Woods


Passacaglia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Handel-Halvorsen

FMU Jazz ExpressFMU Department of Fine Arts
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Chapman Auditorium, McNair Science Bldg, 8:00 pm
University Jazz Express
featuring John Gronert on drums
 Craig Alberty, conductor

A native of Madison, Wisconsin, John Gronert earned his undergraduate degree in percussion from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He was the fist person to receive a Masters Degree in Dalcroze Eurythmics - Music Education from the Manhattan School of Music.

Gronert studied snare drum and drum set with internationally known artists Joe Morello of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Sonny Igoe of the Benny Goodman and Woody Herman bands. He studied percussion with Paul Price, James Priess and James Lattimer.

John has performed with jazz artists Charlie Rouse, Richard Davis, Jack Six, Gary Mazzaroppi, Doug Clark and Donald Harrison. He has performed with the St Peter’s Brass on Fox TV’s Good Day New York and ABC’s Good Morning America.

He is currently drummer and percussionist for the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea with Alphonse Stephenson, and drummer and leader of the Alternate Sides Jazz Group. He recently performed with composer Tim Broege backing the R& B group Benny Anderson and the Drifters.

Gronert is the recipient of the 2006 New Jersey Governor’s teacher of the year award. He has taught instrumental music in the New Jersey public schools since 1987. His private drum students have won 1st chair positions in the New Jersey All State Band as well as the All-Shore and region concert bands and jazz ensembles.

He has given numerous percussion and Dalcroze workshops throughout the New York/New Jersey area and has been presenting percussion clinics for Ed Sueta Music Publications since 1994.

This semester, the University Jazz Express provides FMU students with an opportunity to explore the jazz repertoire in a small, improvisational ensemble.  Contact Dr. Terry Roberts 843.661.1681 for additional information about participating in the Jazz Express.
 
PROGRAM

Route 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bobby Troup
                            Arranged by Peter Blair

Norwegian Wood . . . . .John Lennon, Paul McCartney
                         Arranged by Frank Mantooth

Song For My Father . . . . . . . . . .Horace Silver
                         Arranged by Frank Mantooth

Keep The Change. . . . . . . . . . . .Ralph Gingery

Stolen Moments . . . . . . . . . . . .Oliver Nelson
                         Arranged by Frank Mantooth

How High The Moon. . . Nancy Hamilton, Morgan Lewis
                             Arranged by John Berry

Blue Bossa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenny Dorham
                         Arranged by Michael Sweeny

Tiger Of San Pedro . . . . . . . . .John La Barbera
                          Arranged by Paul Lavender
FMU Department of Fine Arts
Sunday, 2 December 2007, 3:00 pm
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1201 Cherokee Rd, Florence
Francis Marion University Concert Choir
Sue Butler Orr, director

Open to all university students, the University Concert Choir has an average enrollment of between 35 and 45 students.  This group has sung in numerous area churches and has also performed with the Florence Symphony Orchestra.  They have performed such major choral works as the “Polovetzian Dance and Chorus” of Alexander Borodin, the “Schicksalslied” of Johannes Brahms, and the Ninth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven.  Recently their concerts have included selections accompanied by the newly formed Francis Marion string ensemble.
 Choir

FMU Wind Symphony Concert
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Chapman Auditorium, McNair Science Bldg, 8:00 pm
University Wind Symphony
 Dr. Joanna Hersey, tuba soloist
Dr. Terry Roberts, conductor

The University Wind Symphony's spring concert will feature guest tuba soloist Dr. Joanna Ross Hersey.  Joanna Ross Hersey is Assistant Professor of Low Brass at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she also teaches music history and conducts the Low Brass Ensemble. Joanna studied with Dan Perantoni at Arizona State University, received a Master of Music in Tuba Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music studying with Chester Schmitz, and earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Tuba Performance from the Hartt School.

The Wind Symphony rehearses on Tuesday evenings and is open to adult participation.  This is the fourth year we have performed in this format.  As you can see from the personnel roster, the membership is evenly divided between FMU students and community participants.  We are always seeking additional participants; if you play a band instrument or know someone looking for a place to play, please contact us.  Information can be found at http://web.fmarion.edu/~finearts/windband.htm or email Dr. Roberts at troberts@fmarion.edu.

 
PROGRAM

Midway March. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Williams
                                                          arr. Moss

"Blue Bells of Scotland". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arthur Pryor
                                                       arr. Pearson
Dr. Joanna Hersey, solo tuba

A Salute to Spike Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Calvin Custer

Themes from "Green Bushes". . . . . . . . . . . . . .Percy Grainger

Grand Serenade for an Awful Lot of Winds. . . . . . . . P.D.Q. Bach
and Percussion                                             
(Tastefully adapted to the modern Concert Band by Prof. Peter Schickle.)
  I.  Grand Entrance                                         
 II.  Simply Grand Minuet                                    
III.  Romance In The Grand Manner                            
 IV.  Rondo Mucho Grando


FMU Department of Fine Arts
Tuesday, 17 April 2008
Kassab Hall, Hyman Fine Arts Center, 8:00 pm
Cut Time Show Choir
Sue Butler Orr, director

Francis Marion’s show choir, CUT TIME is an audition-only group which combines singing and choreography.  This group performs throughout the region for schools and service organizations.  In the fall of 1996 they traveled to Lake City and Charleston, singing in 5 high schools.  In October of 1997 they sang at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Orlando.  In 1998 they traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, in Washington, D.C. and in Vienna, Austria.  In April of 2002, they returned to Disney World and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café.  Spring of 2003 included a performance cruise to the Bahamas.
 Cut Time

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