making a differenceDepartment of music faculty, stuDents & alumni

winter 2013

pre · viewNotes volume i, no. 1 winter 2013

on the coverKari avolis ‘12 (B.M., music education) and Grant EmErson ‘08 (B.A., music) are two alumni making a difference. Catch up with them on page 11.

message from the chairThe Department of Music at UNCW is fortu-nate in its location, its weather, the quality of its students, faculty, staff, and certainly, the ac-complishments of our alumni. In each issue of our newsletter, we will highlight how our facul-ty make a difference in their profession as musi-cians and teachers, as well as how our students make a difference as collegians, and after grad-uation, as professionals in the field of music, whether in a classroom, or on a larger stage. I hope you enjoy reading our newsletter, and perhaps, have an opportunity to attend and en-joy our many musical presentations on campus in the future.

FranK BonGiornochair, department of music

see calendar for details and ticket information

faculty showcases UNCW Jazz Faculty

Jason Foureman (bass), michael D’angelo (drums), Bob russell (guitar),

Jerald shynett (trombone), mike Waddell (tenor saxophone, clarinet),

andy Whittington (piano)

thursday, Jan. 31

Atlantean Piano Triosaturday, march 23

the Department of music highlights members of the faculty with two faculty show-

cases, both fundraisers for music scholarships. on Jan. 31, new faculty members

Jason FourEman (bass) and michaEl D’anGElo (drums) were joined by other

members of the jazz faculty. Foureman was awarded a position in the Betty carter

Jazz ahead program in 2006. he has performed with cedar Walton, Jim snidero,

Jamey aebersold, Kenny Werner, slide hampton and Dave leibman, among oth-

ers. While an undergraduate at the university of north texas, D’angleo performed

with the one o’clock lab Band, which received a Grammy nomination for Lab

2009 for Best large Jazz Ensemble album. Performances include at the ravinia

festival, carnegie hall and Birdland Jazz club in new York city.

the atlantean Piano trio – comprised of BarrY DaviD salWEn (piano), abigail

van steenhuyse (violin), richard thomas (cello) – was formed in 2005 by uncW

faculty members. salwen and thomas are original members; abigail van steen-

huyse joined the trio in 2011. the trio performs regularly at university venues and

recital series throughout the united states.

Bach st. John Passion uncW chamber choir With the north carolina Baroque orchestra

sunday, march 17

Bach’s St. John Passion is a collaborative project of uncW chamber choir, Depart-

ment of music alumni, local educators and the north carolina Baroque orchestra.

led by JoE hicKman (choir), the performance features tenor matthEW tallEY

‘12 (B.m., performance) as the Evangelist, bass Benjamin horrell (director of vocal

music at Wilmington’s John t. hoggard high school), uncW voice students, cham-

ber choir, and the 17-member orchestra performing on period instruments. hickman

adds: “this is a very important event for us and i am excited to have the opportuni-

ty to work with the north carolina Baroque orchestra. the period instruments add

a dimension of transparency to the sound texture, allowing the music to ‘speak the

words’ in a way that is more difficult with modern instruments.”

Pro musicaFrank Bongiorno (saxophone), nancy King (voice), robert nathanson (guitar)

thursday, march 21

a collaboration between the Department of music and the cameron art museum is

creating a unique opportunity for audiences in southeastern north carolina to broad-

en their musical experiences. Established by roBErt nathanson (classical guitar)

and Daphne holmes (curator of public programs, cameron art museum), Pro musica

is a series of concerts focused on newly composed music. new music incorporates

different styles of music, including what is considered avant-garde, but is much more

accessible harmonically and rhythmically than the majority of music from 1920–90.

re · view

uncw Piano DayBarry salwen director

Pamela cordle, Barbara Furr,

Elizabeth loparits, andy Whittington

saturday, Feb. 2

Piano students ages 12 to 17 and piano teach-

ers from southeastern north carolina gathered at

uncW for a day of performance, master classes,

sessions on piano literature, and jazz piano work-

shops, all led by members of the piano faculty and

directed by Barry salwen.

uncw flute ensemBles festival

Jan. 11–13, 2013

Directed by marY Jo WhitE (flute), this annual

event was open to high school flutists, providing an

opportunity for high school musicians to hone their

skills with uncW flute students and faculty in re-

hearsals, workshops, and a concluding concert.

uncw 3rD annual honor BanD festival

Dec. 6–8, 2012

Directed by John lacoGnata (trumpet), the fes-

tival attracted 164 students from 40 high schools

for workshops, rehearsals, campus tours, and per-

formance. members of uncW Wind symphony

(all students) assist with sectionals and rehearsals

and provide logistical assistance for all aspects of

the festival. members of the wind, percussion, and

brass faculty gave master classes, heard auditions,

and performed at the festival’s lunchtime faculty

showcase. Wind symphony’s performance, attend-

ed by participants and chaperones, was broadcast

in the department’s first live-streamed concert by

Dustin miller (media production). Faculty soloists

for the concert: mary Jo White (flute), Daniel John-

son (tuba), nancy King (soprano).

a glance back

along with classical styles, it can include elements of rock, jazz and ethnic music,

atonality, impressionism, romanticism, surrealism, experimentation, computer gen-

erated sounds and minimalism. nathanson views Pro musica as fulfilling an obliga-

tion to encourage living composers. “if i were doing this in 1812 instead of 2012,” he

says, “i would be commissioning and playing the music of Beethoven.” Pro musica,

held at the cameron art museum, provides an opportunity for the department to en-

gage with the community outside of campus, and in a wonderfully appropriate set-

ting. the December recital featured stEvEn ErrantE’s (theory coordinator, Wilm-

ington symphony orchestra conductor) sonata for violin and Piano, with DaniJEla

ŽEŽElJ-GualDi (violin) and husband Paolo andré Gualdi (piano); nathanson also per-

formed on the recital. the upcoming recital features compositions by David Kechley

for saxophone, voice, and classical guitar, with (respectively) FranK BonGiorno,

nancY KinG, and nathanson.

31st annual uncw Guest artist Jazz festivalthursday, april 4 Jack Wilkins, saxophone, with uncW faculty

Friday, april 5 Jack Wilkins, saxophone, with uncW ensembles

saturday, april 6 seamus Blake Quintet

Directed by JEralD shYnEtt (trombone), JazzFest features three nights of con-

certs and a day of clinics for high school jazz ensembles. clinician and guest artist

Jack Wilkins is director of jazz studies at the university of south Florida school of

music and can be heard on the four critically acclaimed recordings by chuck owen

and the Jazz surge big band, including the Grammy-nominated Comet’s Tail (fea-

turing shynett on trombone). along with leading his own group, Grammy nominee

seamus Blake has performed with the mingus Band, John scofield, michael and

randy Brecker, and many others. the schedule for high school bands performanc-

es – open to the public to observe – will be listed on the Department of music web-

site in late march.

tuBazaleasaturday, april 13

Directed by DaniEl Johnson (tuba), tubaZalea invites tuba and euphonium play-

ers from southeastern north carolina to celebrate low brass instruments. along

with octubaFest and tuba christmas, tubaZalea is a fun event, perfect for the en-

tire family.

uncw oPera outreach ProJect

an evening of opera, operetta and musical theatre scenes

saturday, april 13 and sunday, april 14

see calendar for details and ticket information

Directed by nancY KinG (voice), unc WooP! provides vocal and dramatic oper-

atic training to uncW and high school students, community members and young

singers in culturally under-served areas. unc-WooP! is committed to fostering the

link between campus and community, and to awakening interest in opera locally. in

a truly collaborative effort, the evening features performances by faculty, voice stu-

dents, and guest artists, and involves the talents of many uncW faculty and staff,

including Patricia ainsPac (musical director and accompanist), BEttsY curtis

(vocal coach and accompanist), mark sorenson (costume design, Department of

theatre) and tara noland (lighting design, office of cultural arts).

photos, opposite page, clockwise: Joe hickman, Jennifer Giordano and ashley Beavis; rob nathanson and mary Jo White; Kennith Watts; chancellor Gary miller with holiday carolers

summer 2013uncw summer Jazz workshoP

July 14–19

Directed by Frank Bongiorno, rising 8th-12th grade

students engage with jazz faculty in a five-day resi-

dential program of classes, workshops, and perfor-

mance.

faculty news

vanguard voices (Dearborn, mich.) under the direction of Kypros

markou. the work was originally commissioned in 2002 as part of

the “vanguard Premieres” project; this summer, Errante was com-

missioned to score the accompaniment for full symphony orches-

tra, which premiered in november. his Sonata for Violin and Piano

was performed at the inaugural recital of the Pro musica series (De-

cember, Wilmington).

in september, uncW chamber choir, directed by JoE hicKman

(choir) presented at the Wake county choral symposium, which

featured five collegiate choirs from around the state and was at-

tended by members of select choirs from the county’s public high

school programs. chamber choir members participated in the an-

nual Blessing of the animals on st. Francis Day at the cathedral of

st. John the Divine (october, new York city), joining a choir of more

than 250 collegiate and cathedral singers in a performance with the

Paul Winter consort. Projects later in the fall featured collaboration

with Wilmington symphony orchestra members at Wesley memo-

rial methodist church for Bach’s Cantata 4; choirs performed ex-

cerpts of handel’s Messiah and John rutter carol arrangements

with Wso (December, Kenan auditorium). in February, members

of chamber choir will join hickman and nancy King (voice) in the

choir’s fourth appearance at laudate Dominum, a professional in-

service conference for choral musicians and church musicians in

st. Pölten, austria.

chris Johns (cello) presented two recitals with pianist Domonique

launey, featuring works by schumann, Beethoven, Prokofiev and

Kreisler (January, Kenan chapel, Wilmington). he performs in Febru-

ary at First Presbyterian church, and later in the spring with the tallis

chamber orchestra for Boccherini’s Cello Concerto in B-flat Major.

FranK BonGiorno’s DvD Master Class, Basic Reed Mainte-

nance for the Saxophonist, published in the July/august 2012 issue

of the Saxophone Journal, presents basic approaches to remedy

some common reed problems and achieve a better consistency in

reed performance for saxophone.

the ryoanji Duo (FranK BonGiorno and roBErt nathan-

son) were selected to perform the premiere of David Kechley’s

Points of Departure, a five-movement piece for saxophone (alto and

soprano) and guitar, at the 16th World saxophone congress (July

2012, st. andrews, scotland). the duo recorded Kechley’s, Sea of

Stones, a concerto for saxophone and guitar with orchestra, with

the Filharmonia sudecka (may, Walbrzych, Poland). the recording is

scheduled for release this year.

marina DE ratmiroFF (soprano) was named vice-president of

the Wilmington concert association, continuing as chair of the out-

reach committee. she performed as the guest artist for the caro-

lina Philharmonic’s opera Gala with american violinist and compos-

er Daniel Bernard roumain (november, raleigh), in which CVNC,

an online journal for the arts, noted that she “added an iridescent

thread to the texture, especially her gorgeous vocalise.” De ratmi-

roff was recently awarded the chancellor’s Discere aude award for

outstanding Professor and was nominated for the uncW Frater-

nity and sorority Faculty member life award. she has several con-

certs scheduled for the spring and summer, and, for the seventh

year, will be on the panel of judges for uncW Dub idol.

compositions by stEvEn ErrantE (music theory, Wilmington

symphony orchestra conductor) were performed, including Sing to

the Lord a New Song by the metropolitan symphony Band and the

faculty newscommitting to the journey of learning through shared musical experiences among faculty and students

austria), and the north american academy of Piping and Drum-

ming (valle crucis, n.c.).

Performances included Edward Gregson’s Concerto for Tuba

with the uncW Wind symphony and several orchestra perfor-

mances with the long Bay symphony as principal tuba. Festivals

and performances he directed included: Wilmington’s eighth annu-

al octubaFest, featuring the world premier of Valve Oil by Keith

robinson, Wilmington’s ninth annual tuba christmas, and myrtle

Beach’s fifth annual tuba christmas.

John lacoGnata (trumpet) published “current student assess-

ment Practices of high school Band Directors in the united states,

music assessment across cultures and continents” in The Culture

of Shared Practice, Proceedings of the Third International Sympo-

sium on Assessment in Music Education. With Daniel Johnson, he

presented “high Brass tune-up” at the ncmEa in-service confer-

ence, (november, Winston-salem). With Daniel Johnson, and cher-

ry and Bennett from Western carolina university, lacognata co-

presented a session on “Brass Pedagogy” for the 2012 ncmEa

Bandmaster’s association (november, Winston-salem).

lacognata was adjudicator at: the 15th annual Florida march-

ing Band championships finals (november, tropicana Field, st. Pe-

tersburg, Fla.); the 2012 south carolina Band Directors association

2a/4a lower state marching Band championships, West ashley

high school (october, charleston, s.c.) the rumble in the Jungle

Xvi Band Festival at south view high school (october, hope mills,

n.c.); the 20th annual clinton high school Band Day, clinton high

school (october, clinton, n.c.); the fifth annual Panther creek invi-

tational marching Festival, Panther creek high school (september,

cary, n.c.).

DaniEl Johnson (tuba) gave collaborative presentations at the

30th World conference of the international society for music Edu-

cation in thessaloniki, Greece: “international comparative study of

music teachers’ understanding and Practice of assessment – an

Exploratory study” with m. Fautley; “Global Perspectives on ac-

tive music making through orff-schulwerk” in collaboration with

J. Bond, s. Davies-splitter and J. Kotulkova; “how motivation in-

fluences General music Educators’ classroom Decisions” with W.

matthews; “music Education and the creative Economy” with P.

Gouzouasis and J. s. Goble.

Johnson presented a research poster on “integrating music and

literacy instruction for secondary students” with Deborah Powell

of the uncW Watson college of Education. Working with teachers

from Pender and new hanover county, results indicate that students

responded positively to integrated subject lessons. he plans to write

and field-test more detailed lessons as an action-research project.

at the ncmEa in-service conference (november, Winston-salem),

Johnson collaborated with John lacognata (trumpet), and Dan cher-

ry and travis Bennett from Western carolina university on “Brass

tune-up sessions,” which included demonstration performances

for brass quartet. Johnson’s other pedagogy presentations includ-

ed: “music and content integration: Professional Development ses-

sion” at the Watson college of Education; “music theory and Fun-

damentals Presentations: active listening” at Johnston community

college, smithfield, n.c.; “Playing with Pa’s Fiddle: an interdisciplin-

ary Project,” with s. haefeli at the sixth annual leadership institute,

integrated arts conference (Greeley, colo.).

Kendall/hunt published the updated textbook edition of Musical

Explorations: Fundamentals Through Experience, 5th ed.

Johnson attended the international summer course on Elemen-

tal music and Dance Pedagogy at the carl-orff institut (salzburg,

‘

UNCW Flute FestivalSunday, Jan. 13 4:00 pm Free

Christa Faison, violin Student recitalthursday, Jan. 17 7:30 pm Free

Chamber Music WilmingtonVentusSunday, Jan. 27 7:30 pmTICkeTs:CoNTACT keNAN AUDITorIUM Box oFFICe

UNCW Piano Day Saturday, Feb. 2 9:00 am By regIsTrATIoN oNly

Wilmington Symphony OrchestraBig Band Blast rich ridenour pianist and entertainer

laura McFayden vocalist

Saturday, Feb. 9 8:00 pm Kenan auditoriumTICkeTs:CoNTACT keNAN AUDITorIUM Box oFFICe

Anna Griffith, euphonium Student recitalSunday, Feb. 10 4:00 pm Free

UNCW String Ensemble Sunday, Feb. 17 7:30 pm

UNCW Music Education Recital Wednesday, Feb. 20 7:30 pm

UNCW Jazz Ensemble I and ComboFriday, Feb. 22 7:30 pm

Marisa Dransoff, soprano Student recitalKristina Keenan, soprano Student recitalSaturday, Feb. 23 7:30 pm Free

UNCW Wind Symphonythursday, Feb. 28 7:30 pmKenan auditorium

John Crowley, trumpet Student recitalthursday, March 14 7:30 pm Free

Wilmington Symphony OrchestraSpirit of the americasJohn crowley trumpet richard r. deas student concerto competition collegiate division winner

Saturday, March 16 8:00 pm Kenan auditoriumTICkeTs:CoNTACT keNAN AUDITorIUM Box oFFICe

UNCW BrassFestWednesday, March 20 7:30 pm

Pro Musicadavid Kechley composer

Frank Bongiorno saxophone

nancy King soprano

robert nathanson guitar

thursday, March 21 7:00 pm cameron art MuseumTICkeTs:CoNTACT CAMeroN ArT MUseUM 910.395.5999

Karl Metzger, piano Student recitalFriday, March 22 7:30 pm Free

Ashley Beavis, flute Student recitalSunday, March 24 4:00 pm Free

UNCW Faculty Woodwind QuintetMonday, March 25 7:30 pm

UNCW Vocal Jazz Ensembletuesday, March 26 7:30 pm

Jennifer Giordano, flute Student recitalSunday, april 7 4:00 pm Free

Alex Gazda, bass Student recitalSunday, april 7 7:30 pm Free

Brian Mason, drums Student recitalMonday, april 8 7:30 pm Free

UNCW Classical Guitar EnsembleWednesday, april 10 7:30 pm

Kyle Miller, piano Student recitalthursday, april 11 7:30 pm Free

UNCW Chamber WindsFriday, april 12 7:30 pm

TubaZaleaSaturday, april 13 7:30 pm

UNCW String / UNCW Piano EnsembleSunday, april 14 7:30 pm

Tristan Szeremi, jazz piano Student recitalMonday, april 15 7:30 pm Free

UNCW Saxophone Ensemble Wednesday, april 17 7:30 pm

UNCW Jazz Guitar Ensemblethursday, april 18 7:30 pm

Vince Bove, jazz bass Student recitalFriday, april 19 7:30 pm Free

D e pA r T M e N T o F M U s I C s p r I N g 3 0 1 3

special evFaculty ShowcaSe

ATlANTEAN PIANO TRIO

Barry david Salwen, piano

abigail Van Steenhuyse, violin

richard thomas, cello

Saturday, March 23 7:30 pm

$15 general puBlic / Free to StudentS With

Valid uncW id

adVance ticKetS aVailaBle

all proceedS BeneFit

departMent oF MuSic ScholarShipS

photosthis page, from top

uncW choirsatlantean piano trioopposite from topthis page, clockwise

Jack WilkinsSeamus Blakeunc-Woop!

Faculty ShowcaSe

UNCW JAZZ FACUlTy

Jason Foureman, bass

Michael d’angelo, drums

Bob russell, guitar

Jerald Shynett, trombone

Mike Waddell, saxophone/clarinet

andy Whittington, piano

Thursday, Jan. 31 7:30 pm

$15 general puBlic / Free to StudentS

With Valid uncW id

adVance ticKetS aVailaBle

all proceedS BeneFit

departMent oF MuSic ScholarShipS

uNcw chamber choir

BACh ST. JOhN PASSION

north carolina Baroque orchestra

Sunday, March 17 4:00 pm

$15 general puBlic / Free to StudentS

With Valid uncW id

adVance ticKetS aVailaBle

‘

www.uncw.edu/music

Julie Smith, soprano Student recitalSaturday, april 20 7:30 pm Free

UNCW Choirs Sunday, april 21 4:00 pm

Jacob hurley, jazz bass Student recitalMonday, april 22 7:30 pm Free

UNCW Wind Symphonytuesday, april 23 7:30 pmKenan auditorium

UNCW Jazz CombosWednesday, april 24 7:30 pm

UNCW Jazz Ensemble Ithursday, april 25 7:30 pm

Department of Music honors RecitalFriday, april 26 7:30 pm

Wilmington Symphony Orchestrapaolo andré gualdi: St. petersburg SojurnSaturday, april 27 8:00 pm Kenan auditoriumTICkeTs:CoNTACT keNAN AUDITorIUM Box oFFICe

Wilmington Symphony youth OrchestraJunior Strings / Free Family ConcertSunday, april 28 4:00 pmKenan auditorium

locationUnless otherwise listedevents are held in Beckwith recital hall, located in the cultural arts building on randall drive

ticKetSUnless otherwise listedtickets are $5 general public, free to students with valid uncW id.

advance tickets for these events are not sold unless indicated. tickets for these events may be purchased at the box office located in the event venue one hour prior to performance.

tickets are not issued for events listed as free.

adVance ticKet SaleStickets for events with advance tickets will also be sold at the door (when available) one hour prior to performance.

contact inForMationUNCW Department of MusicMonday - Friday 8-5 pm910.962.3415uncwmus@uncw.edu

Kenan Auditorium Box Officeall advance ticket sales

Monday - Friday 12-6 pm910.962.3500

updateSthe events calendar is subject to change. please go online or contact the department of Music.

Join our Mailing liStcontact the department of Music to be added to our email or postal list.

uncW is an eeo/aa institution. accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting the department of Music at 910 /962-3415 at least five days prior to the event.

ents31St aNNual GueSt artiSt Jazz FeStival

JACK WIlKINS, saxophone, with UNCW faculty

thursday, april 4 7:30 pm

JACK WIlKINS, saxophone, with UNCW Jazz Ensembles

Friday, april 5 7:30 pm

SEAMUS BlAKE QUINTET

Saturday, april 6 7:30 pm

$10 general puBlic / Free to StudentS With Valid uncW id

adVance ticKetS aVailaBle

uNcw opera outreach proJect

an evening of opera, operetta and musical theatre scenes

Saturday, april 13 8:00 pm Kenan auditorium

Sunday, april 14 2:00 pm Kenan auditorium

TICkeT ArrANgeMeNTs TBA

chamber muSic wilmiNGtoN / aaroN Diehl, piaNo

Sunday, april 21 7:30 pm Kenan auditorium

co-sponsored by the department of Music and the cape Fear Jazz Society to benefit music scholarships for jazz students

$25 geNerAl ADMIssIoN

ADvANCe TICkeTs AvAIlABle AT keNAN AUD Box oFFICe

Stay tuned!

under lacognata’s direction, the Department of music present-

ed its first “live-stream” broadcast in December, featuring uncW

Wind symphony and chamber Winds in concert. also in Decem-

ber, the uncW Faculty Brass Quintet performed a recruitment tour

at Whiteville and south view high schools; the quintet also per-

formed at uncW’s December commencement.

lacognata directed the third annual uncW honor Band Festival,

with 164 students from 40 high schools; more than 270 student

nominations had been received. Patricia hughes, cedar ridge high

school, hillsborough, n.c., was guest conductor. the wind, percus-

sion, and brass faculty were involved in auditions and master class-

es for the festival.

Performances by EliZaBEth loParits (piano) included a two-

piano recital with norman Bemelmans in a tribute to liszt (June,

Paks, hungary); two-piano concert with Bemelmans for the of-

fice of cultural arts master series “russian romantics” (septem-

ber, Kenan auditorium); performance of mozart’s Piano Concerto

in G-major, K 453 for the Wilmington symphony orchestra’s sea-

son opening concert (september, Kenan auditorium); uncW oc-

tubaFest master class and concert collaboration with guest artist

Danny vinson (october, Beckwith recital hall); flute master class

and performance: collaboration with guest artist nicolas Duchamp

(october, Beckwith recital hall); faculty recital: collaboration with

mike Waddell (clarinet) and guest artist constance Waddell (octo-

ber, Beckwith recital hall). in november, her piano student won the

Wilmington symphony orchestra richard r. Deas Junior Division

student concerto competition. in July, loparits taught at the unc

Greensboro summer Piano camp.

The Unknown Horowitz: The Man and His Music, by shErrill

martin (music history) with richard Boursey (Yale university),

was accepted for publication by indiana university Press, and will

be included in their malcolm Brown russian music series. Essays

were contributed by uncW faculty, including martin, steven Er-

rante, Barry salwen and Joe Kishton (Department of Psychology).

martin gave several presentations on horowitz, including: “horow-

itz as a Pedagogue” (april, Bowdoin college, Brunswick, maine);

“the unknown horowitz: the man and his music,” at the ameri-

can Guild of organists and the american medical society (april);

asheville area music teachers Forum (september, asheville, n.c.);

“teaching tips from Piano titans” at the north carolina music

teachers convention (october, chapel hill), for which Joe DiPiazza,

(unc Greensboro), performed the premiere of vladimir horowitz’s

Ballade, an unpublished composition discovered by martin in the

vladimir horowitz Papers at Yale university.

John racK’s (percussion) composition Tango, a solo for five tim-

pani, was accepted for publication by innovative Percussion.

BoB russEll (jazz guitar) presented “speaking Jazz to the rock

Guitarist” at the ncmEa in-service conference (november, Win-

ston-salem). he presented a clinic on jazz guitar improvisation at

the southeastern Guitar and amp show (september, raleigh). rus-

sell performed in the uncW summer Jazz Workshop faculty con-

cert, and performed with mike Waddell at the cameron art muse-

um (october).

BarrY salWEn (piano) will make several appearances with the at-

lantean Piano trio (abigail van steenhuyse, violin, and former uncW

faculty member richard thomas, cello) in spring 2013: at uncW,

Presbyterian college, and on the arts trails chamber series in Flor-

ence, s.c. – the trio’s third engagement on this series; the trio will

perform music of haydn, mendelssohn, and William ryden. salwen

continues his series of opera classes, introducing the met live in hD

series at lumina theatre, along with classes for the osher lifelong

learning institute. operas introduced this season include handel’s

Guilio Cesare, Les Troyens, Parsifal, and The Tempest, a new work

by British composer thomas adés. salwen also gives the pre-con-

cert lectures for the Wilmington series of the north carolina sym-

phony; his 30-minute talks precede each of the five concerts per

season, which present music from Bach to Brahms to a program of

20th century Welsh composers. in February, salwen directed the an-

nual uncW Piano Day, featuring workshops for piano students and

teachers, and performances by uncW faculty.

Palm coast Jazz included JEralD shYnEtt’s (trombone) compo-

sition “Exemption” in its october podcast. his arrangement of “si-

lent night” was featured on nnenna Frielon’s christmas cD.

as part of a select group of american technicians, piano technician

BrYnn ulisniK will travel to hamburg, Germany, in February to

study with concert technicians at the steinway factory.

marY Jo WhitE (flute) collaborated with alisa Gilliam, pianist

from East carolina university and uncW alumni, in a flute and pia-

no recital (september, Beckwith recital hall), joined by a string trio

with abigail van steenhuyse, carrie Jackson, and faculty member

chris Johns for a program of selections by mozart, Piston, and li-

ebermann.

in october, French flutist nicolas Duchamp gave a master class

and concert for the uncW flute studio and community members.

Elizabeth loparits (piano) served as accompanist.

White and robert nathanson were awarded a cahill grant of

$3,000 for the 2013–14 school year. their research project includes

the commissioning, performing and recording of a new compo-

sition for flute and guitar by internationally recognized composer

shih-hui chen. the premiere is scheduled for uncW’s new music

Festival in February 2014.

faculty news continued

passagesann c. shErman-sKiBa, uncW’s alumni council 2012 citi-

zen of the Year, died on march 2012 at her home in Wilming-

ton at the age of 66. sherman-skiba had moved to Wilming-

ton in 2005 with her late husband Günther, where the ski-

bas joined the cape Fear Jazz society. sherman-skiba was

appointed to the board and produced the cFJs monthly news-

letter for several years. to honor her late husband’s lifelong

love of jazz and enthusiasm for uncW’s music program, sher-

man-skiba created two endowments at uncW, one of which

benefits the annual Guest artist Jazz Festival. the endow-

ment brings a jazz guest artist to campus each spring to hold

clinics for high school jazz ensembles and uncW students,

and to perform at JazzFest. in appreciation of her gift, the uni-

versity dedicated the Günther skiba Jazz rehearsal room, a

state-of-the-art practice facility in the cultural arts Building.

the Department of music and the university is deeply grate-

ful for ann sherman-skiba’s gift in honor of her husband’s love

of jazz and support of the jazz program. this gift provides a

meaningful education, as well as educational opportunity, for

generations of young students studying jazz at uncW.

as part of honor Band Festival, featured soloists with the uncW

chamber Winds were White, nancy King (soprano) and Dan John-

son (tuba). White performed the first movement of mike mower’s

Flute Concerto; King performed Frank ticheli’s Angels in the Ar-

chitecture; Johnson performed the first movement of the Edward

Gregson’s Tuba Concerto.

in December, DaniJEla ŽEŽElJ-GualDi (violin) performed ste-

ven Errante’s Sonata for Violin and Piano with Paolo andré Gualdi

(piano) at the inaugural recital of the Pro musica series. she is also

featured in the film Parental Guidance, starring Billy crystal and Bet-

te midler. in January, Gualdi began work on a cD with the Balkan

Quartet; Gualdi is a founding member of the group, which performs

this fall in Georgia (oxford, savannah and atlanta), Florence, s.c.,

and with the DeKalb symphony. she will be part of a collaboration

with Frank Bongiorno for his north carolina Jazz Festival tribute

to charlie Parker (February 2013, Wilmington hilton). she will also

participate in the south carolina chamber music festival in Febru-

ary and plans concerts in croatia as well as at the Grumo Festival

in italy this summer.

michaEl D’anGElo (drums) joined the faculty in 2012 as a lecturer in jazz studies and applied instructor for drums. in 2012, he par-

ticipated in his 10th consecutive uncW summer Jazz Workshop (as student, staff and, in 2012, as faculty). in 2011, D’angelo was in-

vited to participate in the ravinia Festival’s steans music institute for Jazz, an invitation-only workshop for rising jazz performers and

composers with mentorship from David Baker, rufus reid, nathan Davis, and curtis Fuller. D’angelo holds a B.m. in instrumental per-

formance from the university of north texas and a master of music in Jazz studies from indiana university. While a student at the uni-

versity of north texas, he performed with the one o’clock lab Band, which received a Grammy nomination for Best large Jazz En-

semble album for Lab 2009. he has performed throughout the united states and internationally, including the modern Drummer Fes-

tival, Percussive arts society international convention, the ravinia festival, carnegie hall, Birdland Jazz club, conservatorie de Paris in

Paris, France, mahidol university in Bangkok, thailand, and aricana in rosario, argentina.

Jason FourEman (bass) joined the faculty in 2012 as applied instructor for bass. he received his undergraduate degree from the uni-

versity of north carolina at Greensboro in 2000. in 2005, he was awarded a teaching assistantship at the university of louisville where

he taught and received his master’s of music in jazz studies. he has traveled throughout russia, Finland, Estonia, and sweden perform-

ing and teaching jazz clinics. in 2006, he was awarded a position in the Betty carter Jazz ahead program and performed at the Kenne-

dy center in Washington, D.c. Foureman has performed with cedar Walton, Eric alexander, corky hale, harry Pickens, Jim snidero,

Jamey aebersold, Kenny Werner, terri lyne carrington, Joel Frahm, slide hampton and Dave leibman, among others.

new faces

val, teaches guitar at tallahassee community college, and is writ-

ing his dissertation.

KatiE hoPE ‘12 (B.m., music education) has accepted the position

of general music teacher at roger Bacon academy in leland, nc.

marK lorEK ‘02 (B.m., music education) was elected secretary

to the north carolina Bandmasters association Eastern District and

was nominated to conduct the 2013 all District Band.

niKKi mYErs ‘12 (B.a., music) is working full-time in production

and post-production audio in the Wilmington film industry. in sep-

tember, she begins studies toward her m.F.a. in sound design for

visual media at the savannah college of art and Design.

JEnniFEr lancastEr KirKlanD ‘07 (B.m., music education)

began teaching band at Greenwood middle school in Goldsboro.

ashlEY KvitKo ‘10 (B.m., performance) is a graduate assistant at

appalachian state university, pursuing her equivalency/masters of

music therapy, where she works with the students with Diverse

abilities Program, assisting college age adolescents with intellec-

tual disabilities to graduate from a two-year college program.

aaron rEEl ‘12 (B.a., music) accepted the position of director

of contemporary music at north raleigh united methodist church.

as part of his graduate assistantship at the unc school of the arts,

marK WhitFiElD ‘12 (B.m., music education) was awarded the

nutcracker scholarship for playing principal trombone in the unc-

sa nutcracker orchestra. he received a similar scholarship for per-

forming with the opera orchestra.

band director BoB PEarson ‘05 (B.m., music education). Watts is

also brass instructor at new hanover high school, where he works

with band director tim mccoy. Watts performed as trombonist for

citystage and tru2You’s production of The Color Purple at thalian

hall in october and november, and Spamalot in December. he per-

formed as percussionist with faculty member michael D’angelo

(drums) for “Global Focus: haiti,” an on-campus cultural outreach

and education program sponsored by uncW Events.

a jazz trio with anDY Blair (minor, jazz studies, jazz guitar),

luKE Wilson (minor, jazz studies, drums) and michael D’angelo

(drums) on bass performed at a reception for the Provost club and

the Board of visitors in october.

hEathEr BoBEcK (B.a., music, soprano), WhitnEY laniEr

(B.m., music education, soprano), alEX GaZDa (B.m., perfor-

mance, voice, bass) and choir member anderson mcnaull per-

formed seasonal carols for the chancellor’s holiday reception.

in november, mollY Karns DarDEn ‘10 (B.a., music) performed

handel’s Coronation Anthem No. 2 and schubert’s Magnificat in C

with the cape Fear chorale; she was a featured soloist for vival-

di’s Gloria, performing “Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris.” JEnniFEr

Justus ‘08 (B.m., music education) was a featured soloist on the

vivaldi, performing “laudamus te” and “Domine Deus.” in Decem-

ber, Darden was a featured soloist for the first annual Jingle on the

Beach at Wrightsville Beach.

ZacK DYE ‘09 (B.a., music) completed his master’s in composition

in the united Kingdom and has returned to north carolina to pursue

an m.F.a. in Film scoring at the unc school of the arts.

DaviD Easton ‘12 (B.m., performance, jazz studies) is orches-

tra guitarist for the celebrity ship Constellation, travelling to hol-

land, sweden, Denmark, russia, Estonia, Finland, England, France,

spain, Portugal and tenerife; upcoming ports of call include miami,

Key West, Jamaica, Grand cayman and mexico.

marY GhEEn ‘09 (B.m., performance) is a graduate assistant at

East carolina university, and won the Graduate level Division 7 in

the raleigh area Flute association’s review and contest (novem-

ber, raleigh).

as winner of the 2012 Florida state university doctoral concerto

competition, Justin hoKE ‘07 (B.m., performance) performed

Joaquin rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the Fsu orchestra

in november. he played electric guitar with the Panama city or-

chestra on a transiberian orchestra-inspired arrangement of Ode

to Joy. he is preparing performances at the Fsu new music Festi-

ashlEY BEavis (B.m., performance, instrumental, flute) per-

formed as a member of Wilmington symphony orchestra on sev-

eral concerts. Beavis and Jennifer Giordano performed schubert’s

Introduction and Variations and ibert’s Concerto finale at nicolas

Duchamp’s october flute master class.

John croWlEY (B.m., performance, instrumental, trumpet) is the

collegiate winner of the richard r. Deas student concerto compe-

tition uncW Division, sponsored by the Wilmington symphony or-

chestra. he performs alexander arutunian’s Concerto for Trumpet

with the orchestra on march 16 in Kenan auditorium.

JEnniFEr GiorDano (B.m., performance, instrumental, flute)

performed the ibert Piece pour flute seule and other solo works for

the uncW advancement office’s reception on nov. 15.

in august, KEnnith Watts, Jr., (B.a., music, trombone) was

named brass and percussion instructor and arranger for Wilming-

ton’s E.a. laney high school marching Buccaneers, working with

student news strengthening our love of place with musical performance in a culturally rich environment

alumni news expressing the power of ideas and innovation through creativity and discovery in music

alumni making a differenceStudents at the UNCW Department of Music are the performers and educators of tomorrow. From music teachers teaching folks

songs to elementary school students, to artists on the road and in the studio, UNCW alumni make a difference by applying what

they have learned in the Department of Music to their work in their field and as part of society.

KAri AvoliS ‘12 (B.m., music EDucation)

Music teacher, College Park Elementary School, Wilmington, N.C.

avolis began teaching in the fall of 2012, four months after she re-

ceived her degree in music education. teaching elementary school

offered new challenges to avolis, who reports on her progess.

In my first year of teaching, the knowledge i gained from my classes

at uncW is used and challenged every day. i went to my first day

of class confident that i knew how to play instruments, sing, make a lesson

plan, speak in front of children, and measure and evaluate their progress,

but i didn’t know how i would regularly use this knowledge. i hadn’t realized

that i would immediately put some of it to use, such as world drumming,

foreign language and psychology. My favorite part of teaching young

students is finding potential in young students who don’t know they have it.

children are under so much pressure to perform on tests and assessments;

allowing them to enjoy the act of performing in an expressive medium

allows all ranges of students to flourish. i have the privilege of helping

children discover their talent and build their musical confidence – from the

kindergartners who don’t know how to move their voice higher and lower

to having second graders fluent in solfège. it is incredible to see how little

minds absorb music like a sponge, with no effort and with no resistance.

i love the diverse school i’ve landed in, where i get to see the excitement

of a third grader from russia learning about tchaikovsky for the first time,

and where i have the opportunity to teach a folk song from ecuador to a

class with multiple native Spanish-speakers where they get to help teach

the class. every day, i get to go to work and show students– whose lives

often don’t allow for the privilege of music– the color and confidence that

making music can bring into their lives.

avolis maintains a busy schedule, but also manages to teach sax-

ophone lessons to eight new hanover high school students. last

fall, she was part of the Wilmington symphony orchestra saxo-

phone section for their performance of Bolero.

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grANT eMerSoN ‘08 (B.a., music)

Bass player with Warner Brothers recording artists Delta Rae

since the release of Carry The Fire last summer, Emerson and Delta

rae have performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and twice

on the Tonight Show with Jay leno. they were named vh1’s “You

oughta Know” artist for the month of october, joining the ranks

of coldplay, adele, and mumford and sons. the band has toured

the united states non-stop since June, traversing the country three

times. Delta rae opened for First lady michelle obama at carmi-

chael arena; on halloween the band released a new music video

for “Dance in the Graveyards”; Rolling Stone magazine premiered a

live version online. in the new few months, Delta rae will tour the

united states with ZZ Ward and then go back into the studio. Em-

erson, an endorsed artist for ns Electric upright and Boulder creek

acoustic bass, took a minute to reflect on what’s next and his evo-

lution as a musician.

The band is game-planning what our next album will be like.

We are working on a new batch of tunes that i am re-

ally excited about. When we aren’t on tour, i go into hermit mode and work

on improving my technique and learning new styles of music. Studying jazz

gave me the ability to be able to hang in any musical situation. Being a bass

player, i sit back and watch and listen to what is going on musically and try

to support it. For me, it’s knowing when to say when and when to say BaSS

in your Face! Studying jazz helped me develop my taste to make good mu-

sical choices. When i joined delta rae, my schedule was very rigorous: i

was playing in two other bands and working two part-time jobs. Just re-

cently, playing First night raleigh on new year’s eve was an incredible ex-

perience. the energy in the band and in the crowd was electric – i felt like

i was floating on the stage…those are the moment i love most.

Just released: hear Delta rae’s version of the Peggy lee classic

“Bless You (For the Good that’s in You)” from the Gangster squad

soundtrack. ”how you can make a differenceour students are the performers and educators of tomorrow. ensuring their future requires the support of the university, the music

faculty and you. Your generosity helps purchase classroom equipment, support scholarships, student services, and extracurricular

activities, all of which make possible a rich, meaningful education for UNCW music students. Please consider joining the growing

number of the department’s alumni and friends who have pledged their support. Your act of kindness goes a long way toward as-

suring a bright future for UNCW and the Department of Music. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any ques-

tions or would like additional information regarding opportunities to give. i hope to hear from you!

– Frank Bongiorno, chair, Department of Music bongiornof@uncw.edu 910.962.3390

Stay tuned – Join our Mailing liStcontact the department of Music

to be added to our electronic or postal mailing list:

uncwmus@uncw.edu

910.962.3415

cover photos left to right

kari Avolis ‘12 (B.M. music education); grant emerson ‘08 (B.A., music)

photos credits

photo of grant emerson by Adam David kissick

All other photos UNCW: Jamie Moncrief, Michael escobar, sarah Beavis.

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Department of Music

601 s. College road Wilmington, NC 28403-5975