Augustana Symphony Orchestra: Spring Dances
The Augustana Symphony and Chamber Orchestra leap into spring with a dance-inspired program that opens and closes with classics: Johann Strauss II's rambunctious overture to his Viennese comic opera "Die Fledermaus," and Copland’s depiction of the American West through his suite from the ballet "Billy the Kid."
Program
Johann Strauss II, "Overture to Die Fledermaus"
Blanca Estrella, "Ballet Miniatura" (Chamber Orchestra)
Jose Pable Moncayo, "Huapango"
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, "Upbeat"
Aaron Copland, "Suite from Billy the Kid"
Drawing on Baroque dance forms, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s "Upbeat" incorporates the melody from Johann Sebastian Bach’s "Partita in E Major for Solo Violin" into a modern, jazz-infused romp.
"Huapango," by Mexican composer José Pablo Moncayo brings this traditional folk dance style to life with joyful percussion, stylistic brass solos, and rhythmic hemiolas.
Finally, the Augustana Chamber Orchestra offers Blanca Estrella’s "Ballet Miniatura" for which she was awarded the 1965 National Prize for music in her native Venezuela.
Augustana Jazz Ensemble: Latin music
The Augustana Jazz Ensemble concert will focus on Latin music in jazz, with vocalist Stephie Benito. She is a junior from Mundelein, Ill., majoring in teaching Spanish.
Program
“Latin Adventures”
Joseph Ott, Director
Uno Mas — Paul Lopez
Momcat Mambo — Michael Philip Mossman
Volare — Modugno and Parish Arr: Collins
The Girl From Ipanema — Jobim , Moraes, & Gimbel Arr: Holmes
Mambo #5 — Perez Prado Arr: Ott
Mambo #8 — Perez Prado Arr: Ott
Crystal Silence — Chick Corea Arr: Mike Tomaro
Chega De Saudade — Jobim , Moraes, Hendricks and Cavanaugh Arr: Taylor
Mambo Italiano — Bob Merrill Trans: Collins
La Fiesta — Michael Philip Mossman
Augustana Jazz Ensemble
Saxophones:
Lexie Aguilar
Melissa Hagerty
Kendall Hengst
Spencer Mason
Megan Gabler
Trumpets:
Auden Meal
Nick Mueller
Andre Rivera
Zachariah Sperstad
Allison Rodwell
Trombones:
Bethan Hobart
Lucas Case
Luke McMillan
Anthony Roldan
Rhythm Section:
Alex Michalak-piano
Kellen Myers-piano
Ariane Omerza-percussion
Ivan Starenko-guitar
Douglas Ganster-bass
Harrison Phillis-drum set
Stephie Benito-vocals
Augustana Choir and Augustana Choral Artists Concert
The Augustana Choir and Augustana Choral Artists will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I with themes of war and peace at their fall concert.
A post-concert reception will offer hot chocolate, cider, coffee and cookies.
The performance comes just ahead of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday Nov. 11. The concert also will include classical music, popular music and jazz.
The Augustana Choir is a select 60-voice ensemble of students. Established in 1931, it has been conducted by Dr. Jon Hurty since 1996.
The 16 members of Augustana Choral Artists are choir alumni, music teachers and accomplished musicians in the area.
Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival: Nick Zoulek
Saxophonist and composer Nick Zoulek, guest artist at the Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival, will perform.
Zoulek’s debut album, “Rushing Past Willow” in 2016, won praise from reviewers. “Zoulek’s performance, on saxophones in every range, is stunningly virtuosic, whatever the genre,” said the Wall Street Journal.
He has a bachelor’s in music performance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and has served on the faculty there teaching saxophone and jazz studies.
Zoukek holds a master of music performance degree from Bowling Green State University and is pursuing a doctor of musical arts degree in contemporary music performance there. He also has a music certificate from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régionale de Boulogne-Billancourt.
Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival: Randall Hall
Dr. Randall Hall, Augustana associate professor of music, will perform a sax recital at the Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival.
He has recorded on several labels and his compositions are published on Reed Music. In addition to saxophone Dr. Hall also teaches improvisation, music theory, electronic music, and co-directs Augustana’s summer session in Paris.
Program
Aberamenthōoulerthexanaxethreluoōthnemareba — Randall Hall (b. 1969)
Alto saxophone and electronic sounds
Deeper areas of Consciousness — Randall Hall
Fixed media
World premiere
An Arc in Solitude — Mark Engebretson (b. 1964)
Nick Zoulek, alto saxophone
Wound — Randall Hall
Alto saxophone, elctronic sounds, and video
Ash
Wound
Scar
Fragile
World Premiere
The festival continues Saturday:
3 p.m.: Improvisation workshop with guest artist Nick Zoulek
4 p.m.: Recital by the Augustana Saxophone Studio
5 p.m.: Discussion of modern music, an interview and Q&A with Zoulek
7 p.m.: Nick Zoulek recital
Homecoming Coronation and Sing
The coronation of the Augustana College King and Queen will take place, followed by the Sing Competition.
Second City
The Chicago-based Second City improv troupe will perform a night of comedy. Augustana students, faculty and staff get in free with ID and do not have to purchase a ticket in advance. ID's will be checked at the door.
Mature content: subject matter may not be appropriate for children.
Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens
This celebration of lives lost to AIDS is told in free verse monologues with a blues, jazz and rock score. It is designed to include the community in a theatrical response to the AIDS crisis.
The songs and monologues were inspired by the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and Edgar Lee Masters' "Spoon River Anthology." Each of the monologues is written from the perspective of characters who've died from AIDS. The songs represent the feelings of friends and family members dealing with the loss.
Lyrics by Bill Russell, music by Janet Hood, and directed by Shelley Cooper, Augustana assistant professor of theatre.
Other performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
J. Pierrepont Finch, a young window cleaner in New York City, reads the book "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" as he works. The "Book Voice" tells him that he will succeed if he follows the book's advice, so he enters the World Wide Wicket Company searching for a job. This tune-filled comic gem won the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize.
Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, music by Frank Loesser. Directed by Shelley Cooper, Augustana assistant professor of theatre.
How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying
Augustana College will present the musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at 7:30 p.m. April 26-28 and at May 3-4, and at 1:30 p.m. May 5.
The musical follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook named “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive. He tackles such familiar but potent dangers as the aggressively compliant "company man," the office party, backstabbing coworkers, caffeine addiction and, of course, true love.
Tickets are $15 for the general public, $12 for senior citizens and Augustana faculty/staff, $10 for students and children, and free for Augustana students with ID. Tickets can be purchased through the Augustana Ticket Office 309-794-7306 or by visiting augustana.edu/tickets.
“How to Succeed in Business without Really” Trying is a tune-filled comedy that won a Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize.