Band and Orchestra ensembles at ASU offer impressive concert fare

WHAT: Band and Orchestra Concerts
WHEN: September 26 through December 8
WHERE: Gammage Auditorium, 1200 South Forest Avenue, Tempe; Katzin Concert Hall, Organ Hall, Music Building, 40 E. Gammage Parkway, Tempe
TICKETS: Free for most events, no tickets required; Dec. 5 Pass in Review, $6, and Dec. 8 Holiday Concert, $8 and $5; call 480-965-3434
INFORMATION: 480-965-8863

The ASU Herberger College of Fine Arts School of Music provides the Valley with a number of opportunities to enjoy large music ensembles performing at their very best. The nationally respected Band and Orchestra programs are under the direction of Gary Hill, director of bands, and Timothy Russell, director of orchestras.

All the concerts during Fall Semester 2002 are free and open to the public, with the exception of the Dec. 5 Pass in Review and Dec. 8 Holiday Concert. In addition, the Nov. 5 Serenade: An Inaugural Welcome to President Michael Crow concert is a free, but ticketed event.

Sept. 26 (Thursday), 7:30 p.m., Family Fun!: Band’s Chamber Winds presents an evening of tall tales and interactive fun for children of all ages! Explore the world of three year-old Sophie, a dinosaur named Sue and others. Limited seating, call 480-965-4392 to reserve your place. Location: Katzin Concert Hall, Organ and Lobby.

Sept. 27 (Friday), 7:30 p.m.
Symphonic Masterpieces: Annual Friends of Music Concert: University Symphony Orchestra performs Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis, Strauss’ Four Last Songs and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G major, Opus 88. Soprano Nicole Philibosian is the guest soloist. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Oct. 3 (Thursday), 7:30 p.m., Allies: Band’s Wind Symphony presents music of Great Britain and America, featuring traditional songs and dances by Holst and fresh music from both sides of the ocean, including a world premiere by ASU composer Jody Rockmaker. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Oct. 17 (Thursday), 7:30 p.m.: Chamber Orchestra and Choral Union present Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, opus 61. Violinist Sergiu Luca is guest soloist. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Oct. 21 (Monday), 7:30 p.m.: Band’s Sinfonietta performs an all-Russian program that features Russian Easter Overture by Rimsky-Korsakoff, Polovtsian Dancesby Borodin and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Oct. 26 (Saturday), 7 p.m. & Oct. 27 (Sunday), 2 p.m.: Symphony Orchestra performs with Bolshoi Ballet. Tickets range from $19.50 to $75; call 480-965-3434. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Nov. 5 (Tuesday), 7:30 p.m.: Serenade: Inaugural Welcome for President Michael Crow is a fast-paced concert featuring the school’s top ensemble groups (Wind Symphony, University Symphony Orchestra, Concert Jazz Band, Concert Choir and Lyric Opera Theatre), as well as internationally renowned performers from the school’s faculty. Admission is free, however, tickets are required: call 480-965-3434 to reserve and pick up at will call or get tickets at the Gammage Box Office prior to the concert. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Nov. 19 (Tuesday), 7:30 p.m., Musical Dynamite: Enjoy the high-energy performance of two of ASU's top wind bands – Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble – with music by Bernstein, Husa and others. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Nov. 26 (Tuesday), 7:30 p.m.: Sinfonietta & Chamber Orchestra share the stage for a program that includes LaFave’s Euterpe: Music of Lyric Poetry, Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551, Beethoven’s Overture to Egmont, Grainger’s Irish Tune, Khachaturian’s “Sabre Dance” from Gayane Ballet and Finlandia by Sibelius. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Dec 5 (Thursday), 7:30 p.m., Pass in Review: A "gang-buster" concert featuring exciting music performed by several of the ASU Bands, finishing with the Sun Devil Marching Band!! Do you like variety? Then this is a "don't miss" concert! Admission: $6; call 480-965-3434. Location: Gammage Auditorium.

Dec. 8 (Sunday), 2:30 p.m.: Holiday Concert features University Symphony Orchestra, Choral Union and Concert Choir perform. Program selections include “And the Glory and Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah, Lucas Richmond’s Hanukkah Festival Overture, Jim Stephenson’s Holiday Fanfare Medley and Courtney’s A Musicological Journey through the Twelve Days of Christmas. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students, call 480-965-3434. Location: Gammage Auditorium. 

Media Contact:
Mary Brennan
480-965-3587
mary.brennan@asu.edu