As the academic year begins to wind down at area colleges and universities, the end-of-year concert season is gearing up. Five free vocal and instrumental performances are scheduled this weekend.
Lee University Masterworks Concert
» When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21
» Where: Conn Center, 150 11th St., Cleveland, Tenn.
» For more information: 23-614-8240
The Lee University School of Music’s Masterworks concert will include Lee’s Choral Union, Chorale and Symphony Orchestra. The performance will be conducted by Dr. Jonathan Rodgers.
All three ensembles will combine for a performance of Haydn’s “The Creation.” The three-part composition depicts the story of creation as told through Genesis and Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”
Professors of voice Lenena Brezna, soprano; Tony Deaton, baritone; and James Frost, tenor, will be featured soloists throughout the work.
According to Rodgers, art program students have painted creation scenes that will be displayed in the lobby of the Conn Center.
Choral Union is a blend of music majors and nonmusic majors, specializing in choral music and masterworks.
Lee University Chorale is an ensemble selected by audition. Its emphasis is placed on the diversity and breadth of traditional choral literature.
The Symphony Orchestra performs operatic, choral and other major symphonic works.
Rodgers, an assistant professor of music at Lee, directs Choral Union and Ladies of Lee. This semester he also conducts the Lee University Chorale while Dr. William Green, Dean of Lee’s School of Music, is on sabbatical. Rodgers teaches choral conducting and literature classes, oversees the choral conducting curriculum and supervises choral conductors in the graduate program.
UTC Wind Ensemble
» When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19
» Where: UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St.
This ensemble is made up of music and nonmusic majors and performs once each semester.
The program is designed to push the limits of the music majors through performance of larger works and chamber works.
Opera Scenes
» When: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22
» Where: Lee University, Squires Recital Hall, 1250 Parker St., Cleveland, Tenn.
» For more information: 423-614-8240
Nonticketed performance of opera excerpts.
Dr. Michael McCallie (UTC Contributed Photo)
Staci Spring (UTC Contributed Photo)UTC Symphony Orchestra
» When: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22
» Where: UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St.
» For more information: 423-425-4371
The UTC Symphony Orchestra is comprised of college students and community musicians, conducted by Sandy Morris.
Sunday’s concert, “Orchestral Colors,” features Copland’s “An Outdoor Overture” and Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain.”
Dr. Michael McCallie, faculty member at Chattanooga State and Cadek at GPS as well as founder/music director of Guitar Chattanooga, will be featured on Vivaldi’s “Guitar Concerto in D.” UTC bassoon professor Staci Spring, who is also community engagement and education manager for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, will be featured on Elgar’s “Romance for Bassoon and Orchestra.”
A rousing work by John Williams, “Raiders March,” will conclude the concert.
Brass Choir Concert
» When: 7:30 pm. Tuesday, April 24
» Where: Lee University, Pangle Hall, 340 Church St., Cleveland, Tenn,
» For more information: 423-614-8240
Performance by the Lee Brass Choir, an ensemble of 15 to 20 musicians who play large brass ensemble literature and transcriptions.
– Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce