New Series Celebrates Breadth of American Music
When the Buffalo Jazztet (pictured), featuring Buffalo State music faculty member Mark Filsinger, performs on Thursday, October 5, it will mark the first in the 2017–2018 Music Department series, “Celebrate: American Music.”
The Jazztet’s performance of “Birth of Bebop: Tad, Diz, and Monk at 100”—a look back at the evolution of bebop—will start at 7:30 p.m. in the Ciminelli Recital Hall at Rockwell Hall.
Last year, the Music Department focused on women musicians in its first themed series, as a way to recognize often overlooked female musicians and composers. Emily Boyce, chair and associate professor of music, said the intention of the annual series is to highlight different musicians, instruments, and types of music. “This year we wanted to celebrate some of the amazing diversity in the American music world."
“I’m excited we could spotlight Dr. Filsinger’s talented group along with highly regarded musicians from other parts of the country, such as pianist Artina McCain, an award-winning solo and chamber performer, educator, and lecturer,” said Boyce. “Artina will perform works by a number of noted African American composers including Coleridge Tayler-Parkinson, Margaret Bonds, and Valerie Capers. Ms. Capers is a pianist and was the first blind graduate of the Juilliard School.”
"Celebrate: American Music" Series
Boyce will perform “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Buffalo State Wind Ensemble on October 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.
Tres Bone, a Maryland-based trombone trio, will perform on November 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ciminelli Recital Hall.
Buffalo State Voice Students will perform selections by various American composers on November 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ciminelli Recital Hall.
Artina McCain, solo pianist, performs on February 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ciminelli Recital Hall.
The Artemis Quartet, a Berlin, Germany-based quartet, will perform music by several living American composers on April 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ciminelli Recital Hall.
The Buffalo State Philharmonia and Choirs will perform large-scale works by known and lesser-known American masters on April 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.
Tickets for each performance are $10 except for the Buffalo State Voice Students concert, which is free. Students with ID are admitted for free to all performances. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (716) 878-3005 or go to music.buffalostate.edu.