University News
Join WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra at Carnegie Hall; NY Trip May 28-June 1
March 8, 2010
MACOMB, IL - - It may not always matter who you know, but it doesn't hurt either; especially when it gets you invited to play in one of the world's greatest concert halls – Carnegie Hall.
And it's Carnegie Hall where the Western Illinois University premier jazz ensemble, the Jazz Studio Orchestra (JSO), will perform in May, with – and thanks to – two internationally known "Italian Big Band" musicians: composer and conductor Marco Renzi and clarinetist Bepi D'Amato. Both musicians served as artists in-residence in April 2009 for the School of Music Jazz Studies program at Western, giving lectures and master classes, as well as conducting and performing in a combined WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra (JSO) and Jazz Band concert.
When Renzi and D'Amato were schedule in Fall 2009 to play at Carnegie Hall this spring, they asked a concert promoter to contact Michael Stryker, Western's assistant professor of jazz piano and director of the WIU Jazz Band, who had arranged their residency last year, said John Cooper, professor and director of jazz studies and the JSO.
"Maestros Renzi and D'Amato wanted to work with us again based on the wonderful performance that they gave in Macomb with the JSO and Jazz Band," Cooper added. "The trip was initially proposed and funded by the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) and the department of music. However, because the University, and all universities statewide, is experiencing a difficult budget crisis, the trip was canceled. When the students received the news, Jerry and LaNae Reyburn, parents of JSO student Andrew Reyburn (junior, Geneseo, IL), decided to become involved and committed a sizeable donation that has been matched by the IBM corporation. This put the trip within reach."
Students did their own fundraising, selling CDs of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated composition, "The Baecker Jazz Worship Service," which Cooper was commissioned to compose (2007).
"We also received funding from other private resources, for which we are indeed grateful," Cooper added. "Now the trip is on, and we are inviting up to 40 participants (20 couples) to join us."
The Jazz Studio Orchestra's big band appearance with Renzi and D'Amato at Carnegie Hall is scheduled for 8 p.m. Sunday, May 30. Other groups scheduled to perform that evening are the 12th annual National Wind Ensemble, conducted by H. Robert Reynolds; and the Hart School of Music Wind Ensemble, conducted by Glen Adsit. With two intermissions, the concert is two-and-one-half hours. For more information, see carnegiehall.org.
Two packages are available for guests. The full package ($2,300 per couple) includes roundtrip charter coach to/from the departure airport; roundtrip air transportation to/from New York, charter coach to/from the airport in New York, double room accommodations, two tickets to the Carnegie Hall performance, and tickets to a post-show gathering with the members of the JSO. Meals and personal expenses are not included. There is a limit of 20 couples.
The New York City arrangements ($1,375 per couple) includes double room accommodations, two tickets to the Carnegie Hall performance, and tickets to a post-show gathering with the members of the JSO. All transportation, meals and personal expenses are not included. There is a limit of 20 participants.
A non-refundable deposit of $700 is due Monday, March 15 with the registration. The remaining balance is due Friday, March 26. Payment can be made by check, money order or by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover). Make checks/money orders payable to Western Illinois University.
Registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment of the deposit amount and completion of the registration form constitutes participation in the trip. Registration will not be processed without payment of the deposit. Post-dated payments are not accepted. Once the trip fills, a waiting list will be maintained. A completed registration form is necessary for placement on the waiting list.
For a registration form or for more information, contact Kim McDaniel, Center for International Studies, 209 Seal Hall, telephone (309) 298-2504, or e-mail KD-McDaniel@wiu.edu.
Students in the Jazz Studio Orchestra are listed below, by Illinois county and hometown and other country.
COOK COUNTY
Chicago (60660) – Steven Solomon, junior, music education, piano
Tinley Park (60477) Anthony Bartucci, sophomore, music education, alto II saxophone
Wheeling (60090) – David Dower, graduate student in music, alto I saxophone
DuPAGE COUNTY
Naperville (60565) – Victor French, sophomore, music education, tenor II saxophone; Nathan Urbaniak, senior, finance, trumpet; Tyler Montgomery, sophomore, music education, trumpet; Michael Musto, senior, music, trombone
Roselle (60172) – Neil McFarland, senior, music, trumpet
FULTON COUNTY
Fairview (61432) – Ben Will, graduate assistant, jazz studies, bass
HANCOCK COUNTY
Nauvoo (62354) – Chris Hass, sophomore, music, trumpet
HENRY COUNTY
Geneseo (61254) – Andrew Reyburn, junior, music, trombone
McHENRY COUNTY
Wonder Lake (60097) - Jonathan Wilson, senior, music- composition, baritone saxophone
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
Milan (61264) – Todd Rolfs, sophomore, music, drums
SANGAMON COUNTY
Auburn (62615) – Joe Estock, senior, music education, trombone
Williamsville (62693) – Kyle Traeger, freshman, music, trombone
WILL COUNTY
Bolingbrook (60440) – Tom Reeder, sophomore, music education, tenor I saxophone
CANADA
Toronto, Ontario – Evan Desaulnier, graduate student in music, guitar
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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