Making an impression
Music students to perform at Centennial Concert Hall on Oct. 17
The University of Manitoba is presenting an event at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s first-ever Music of the Impressionists Festival on Monday, Oct. 17.
Each year, the WSO presents a festival in October focusing on a particular composer or style of music. This year they are celebrating music from the Impressionists: Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, and Berlioz.
Julian Pellicano, University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra (UMSO) Conductor and Resident Conductor of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, says the university’s involvement in the festival speaks to the dedication and passion that students exhibit as they pursue their art.
“It is an honour to be asked to once again be a part of the WSO’s festival and to have an opportunity to showcase the wonderful students in the Desautels Faculty of Music during a major musical event for Winnipeg audiences,” said Pellicano, who notes this is the third consecutive year that the university has presented at the WSO’s festival.
Students who participate in performances like this are on the path to becoming professional performers, he notes.
“The students are not only eager to learn everything that they can, but truly live to be on stage and perform,” said Pellicano. “Immersed in the act of learning, young musicians are thinking deeply about musical connections and also exploring and experimenting with their technique and their instruments. It is a fascinating intersection of critical musical moments that only happens once in a musician’s path so these concerts are not only critical for us on stage, but also interesting and unique for audience members.”
Three ensembles are involved with the festival: UMSO, conducted by Pellicano; the U of M Women’s Chorus, conducted by Elroy Friesen; and the Jazz ensemble, Millenia, directed by Steve Kirby.
The evening begins with a pre-concert panel with James Maiello of the Desautels Faculty of Music’s musicology department and Sarah Jo Kirsch, renowned soprano and music alumna. Following the performance, there will be a post-concert discussion and Q&A with Pellicano, Kirsch, Maiello and Kirby.
For ticket information and complete event details, click here.
Other October Concerts
The Desautels Faculty of Music is presenting more concerts throughout the month of October:
Fantastique
The UM Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, under new conductor, Jacqueline Dawson, present Fantastique! featuring Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz, along with works by Kenneth Hesketh and John Mackey, and a performance by 2015-16 Concerto Competition Winner, Stewart Nadurak (French horn).
Date: Friday, Oct. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Jubilee Place Auditorium, 173 Talbot Ave.
Tickets: $15 for adults, $5 for students; available at the Desautels Faculty of Music, room T319, Tache Arts Complex, 136 Dafoe Rd.
Mardi Jazz
A number of small jazz ensembles, coached by the Desautels Faculty of Music Jazz faculty members, will be performing at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain Centre.
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 25
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain Centre, 340 Provencher Blvd.
$5 cover charge at the door
Cool Wednesday Night Hang
Several of the university’s small jazz ensembles perform at this weekly jam session. All are invited to come out & enjoy the events.
Date: Oct. 26
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Nicolino’s Restaurant, 2077 Pembina Hwy.
No admission fee, but premises are licensed.