DENTON (UNT), Texas – The UNT College of Music fall concert schedule concludes with Mozart's Don Giovanni, a performance by the One O'Clock Lab Band with highly regarded drummer Dennis Mackrel, a night of chamber music presented by the UNT Center for Chamber Music Studies, a tribute to the legendary divas of jazz by the UNT Jazz Singers, and an abundance of holiday music, both in November with a Czech music festival featuring a Czech Christmas mass and in December with two concerts of classic holiday favorites: the return of last year's popular Sounds of the Holidays, this year featuring choral works, sing-alongs and more, and an annual Fort Worth favorite, the One O'Clock Lab Band's holiday concert at McDavid Studio, this year featuring the band's new director, Alan Baylock.
These highlights are explained in more detail below, followed by the list of concerts and events at the College of Music in November and December.
For a complete list of UNT College of Music events, including faculty and student recitals, visit the College of Music online calendar and connect with the College of Music on Facebook and on Twitter.
- UNT Opera presents Don Giovanni, 8 p.m. Nov. 6 and 13 (Fridays); 3 p.m. Nov. 8 and 15 (Sundays), Lyric Theater at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road.
Mozart's two-act opera is based on the fictional story of legendary libertine Don Juan, sometimes referred to as the "seducer of Seville." In this retelling of the Don Juan legend, Don Giovanni recklessly pursues carnal pleasures without moral compass. In the course of his debauchery, Giovanni lies to, cheats or manipulates nearly all of the characters in this comedic melodrama, and even kills the father of a failed conquest. It is this murder that leads to his downfall, when the ghostly statue of the murdered Commendatore pays Giovanni a visit. Presented in Italian with English supertitles. UNT Opera's version is directed by visiting professor David Ward and conducted by music director Stephen Dubberly. Learn more about the opera and the time period in which it was written at the "In The Know" lectures held 45 minutes prior to each performance.
Tickets: $35 includes dessert and wine; $25-$15 for all other seats at www.thempac.com. Parking is free in the Fouts Field parking lot.
- A Cappella Choir, 8 p.m. Nov. 10, Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road.
The A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Richard Sparks, gives its fall concert, Sacred and Profane on Nov. 10. The first half is sacred with a particularly intense setting of the "Agnus Dei" by Swedish composer Sven-David Sandström, followed by romantic era composer, Gabriel Rheinberger's beautiful double choir Mass in Eb. The second half – "profane" in this context means "secular" – begins with one of Mahler's most expressive songs, "Ich bin der Welt abhangen gekommen" (I am lost to the world), arranged for 16 separate voice parts, with the choir taking the parts of the orchestra as well as the solo singer. The concert closes with Brahms beloved "Liebeslieder Walzer" (Love-song waltzes) for voices and piano four-hands.
Tickets: $10 adults; $8 seniors, non-UNT students, children and UNT faculty, staff and retirees, and groups of 10 or more. Purchase at www.thempac.com. Parking is free in the Fouts Field parking lot.
- Veselé Vánoce! A Czech Christmas at the University of North Texas, the festival includes events from Nov. 18-22 at the College of Music, 415 Ave. C, and the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road. For full events listing, visit Czech Music Festival online.
This "Christmas-themed" festival of Czech music includes a performance Nov. 15 in Fort Worth and daily lectures, masterclasses and performances from Nov. 18 to 22 at the UNT College of Music. All are open to the public. The focal point of the festival, is the Česká mše vánoční, a pastoral Christmas Mass by Jakub Jan Ryba, which will be presented Nov. 21 (Saturday). Visiting professor Greg Hobbs will conduct the Mass with four soloists, the University Singers and the UNT Symphony Orchestra. Other highlights include Czech pianist and composer Sára Medková performing Hummel'sPiano Concerto in A minor with UNT's Concert Orchestra on Nov. 18 (Wednesday) and the UNT Baroque Orchestra and Collegium Singers joining forces with Czech harpsichordist Barbara Willi for Jiří Antonín Benda's Concerto in D Major for Harpsichord and Strings on Nov. 20 (Friday).
Many events are free. The Symphony Orchestra concert is $10. Tickets available at www.thempac.com. For events in the College of Music building, parking is free after 5 p.m. in lot 26 on Highland Street, between Bain Hall and the Music Practice North and South buildings for events. Parking during the day can be found at the Highland Street Garage, at Avenue A and Highland Street. For events in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, parking is free in the Fouts Field parking lot.
- UNT Jazz Singers in concert, 8 p.m. Nov. 20 (Friday), Voertman Hall in the College of Music, 415 Avenue C, Denton.
The UNT Jazz Singers, the premier vocal jazz ensembles in the Division of Jazz Studies, will pay tribute to legendary jazz divas, including Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae and Nancy King, by performing arrangements adapted from their recorded solo performances.
The UNT Jazz Singers, directed by Jennifer Barnes, include vocalists and a four-piece rhythm section who perform a challenging and varied repertoire of jazz and jazz-influenced music, emphasizing close vocal harmonies, cutting-edge repertoire and improvisation.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, non-UNT students, children, UNT faculty/staff/retirees and groups of 10 or more. Free to UNT students, who must pick up tickets at the Murchison Performing Arts Center box office prior to the concert. Park for free in lot 26 on Highland Street, between Bain Hall and the Music Practice North and South buildings for events.
- Center for Chamber Music concert, 8 p.m. Nov. 22 (Sunday), Voertman Hall in the College of Music, 415 Avenue C., Denton.
The center, established in 2002, showcases music performances by College of Music students at the highest competitive levels, nationally and internationally. On the program for this concert are Ensembles from the UNT Center for Chamber Music Studies have performed in Europe, Asia, South America, and throughout North America and have been selected to participate in international competitions such as the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition. This showcase concert features performances of Dvorak's iconic American String Quartet, by the Bancroft String Quartet; Barber's Summer Music, performed by the Center's wind quintet; Ingolf Dahl's "Music for Brass Instruments" performed by the Center's brass quintet and Brahms' Piano Quartet in C minor performed by the Center's piano quartet.
Free admission. Park for free in lot 26 on Highland Street, between Bain Hall and the Music Practice North and South buildings for events.
- The One O'Clock Lab Band welcomes Dennis Mackrel, 8 p.m. Nov. 24 (Tuesday), Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road.
The One O'Clock Lab Band led by Jay Saunders welcomes drummer, composer, arranger and conductor Dennis Mackrel. The program will begin with selections from the band's recent album Lab 2015 along with new compositions by members of the ensemble. The second half will feature original compositions and arrangements by Mackrel.
Mackrel is well known in the jazz community as a bandleader, sideman, and educator. His Broadway credits include "The First" and "A Chorus Line." He was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra, and has performed with the American Jazz Orchestra, Buck Clayton's Swing Band, the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Mackrel is also a conductor, arranger and composer. He's worked in Europe with the Kluvers Big Band in Denmark and the WRD Big Band in Germany, and his commissioned works have been recorded by West Point's Jazz Knights Big Band, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and, most notably, the McCoy Tyner Big Band whose Grammy winning CDs "The Turning Point" and "Journey" included four of Mackrel's arrangements.
Tickets: $15 at www.thempac.com. Parking is free in the Fouts Field parking lot.
- Sounds of the Holidays: A Choral Celebration at 8 p.m. Dec. 3, Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road.
The popular Sounds of the Holidays concert returns, this time featuring five different choirs, audience sing-along carols with brass & organ. Beautiful music to celebrate the holidays!
Tickets $3 at www.thempac.com. Parking is free in the Fouts Field parking lot.
- Holidays with the One O'Clock Lab Band, directed by Alan Baylock, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 (Friday), McDavid Studio at Bass Performance Hall, 301 E. 5th St., Fort Worth.
This annual concert is a Fort Worth tradition featuring the One O'Clock Lab Band performing a selection of arrangements for big band of favorite Christmas tunes. The band will be led by new director Alan Baylock, a College of Music alumnus.
Baylock received his master's in jazz studies at UNT in 1995 and, as a student, was involved in the lab bands, jazz combos, the UNT Jazz Singers and the UNT Gamelan orchestra, which performs traditional Indonesian music. In 2001, he formed the Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra. The band released their first CD in 2003 and their most recent one late last year. He has also worked with the Airmen of Note, an elite Air Force jazz ensemble that includes six UNT alumni in its ranks. Baylock's music has been performed and recorded by jazz greats, including Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Kurt Elling and more. He has also arranged music for Wynonna, Al Jarreau, Spyro Gyra and others.
Tickets: $30 general admission at www.basshall.com/mcdavidStudio.jsp.
The full list of November and major December concerts and events includes:
November
Sunday, Nov. 1
Avenue C: Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Justin Binek, director
Kenton Hall • 5 p.m. • Free
Monday, Nov. 2
Global Rhythms
Mark Ford, coordinator
Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Wednesday Night Jazz
Five O'Clock Lab Band – Daniel Matthews, director
Four O'Clock Lab Band – Garrett Wingfield, director
Gateway Center Ballroom • 9 p.m. • $4 at the door
Thursday, Nov. 5
Symphonic Band
Dennis W. Fisher, conductor
Winspear Hall • 7:30 p.m. • $10/$8
Friday, Nov. 6
UNT Opera and Symphony Orchestra
Mozart's Don Giovanni
Stephen Dubberly, music director
David Ward, stage director
Lyric Theater • 8 p.m. • $35/$25/$15
"In the Know" lecture • 7:15 p.m. • IRR
Saturday, Nov. 7
Faculty and Guest Artist Recital
Pamela Mia Paul and Krassimira Jordan, piano duo
Voertman Hall • 6:30 p.m. • Free
Sunday, Nov. 8
UNT Opera and Symphony Orchestra
Mozart's Don Giovanni
Stephen Dubberly, music director
David Ward, stage director
Lyric Theater • 3 p.m. • $35/$25/$15
"In the Know" lecture • 2:15 p.m. • IRR
Sunday, Nov. 8
Third Street: Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Ryan Howe, director
Kenton Hall • 5 p.m. • Free
Monday, Nov. 9
Brass Band
Nicholas E. Williams, conductor
Winspear Hall • 7:30 p.m. • $10/$8
Monday, Nov. 9
UNT Percussion Ensemble
Mark Ford, director
Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Tuesday, Nov. 10
A Cappella Choir
Richard Sparks, conductor
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Super 400: Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Armen-Gurgen Movsesyan, director
Kenton Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Mary Jo and V. LaneRawlins Fine Arts Series
eighth blackbird
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $20/$10
Thursday, Nov. 12
Men's and Women's Choruses
Dean Jilek and Matthew Brady, conductors
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Thursday, Nov. 12
Student Chamber Music Concert Series
Nikola Ružević, coordinator
Recital Hall/Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Friday, Nov. 13
UNT Trombone Choirs
Tony Baker, coordinator
Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Friday, Nov. 13
UNT Opera and Symphony Orchestra
Mozart's Don Giovanni
Stephen Dubberly, music director
David Ward, stage director
Lyric Theater • 8 p.m. • $35/$25/$15
"In the Know" lecture • 7:15 p.m. • IRR
Saturday, Nov. 14
Faculty Recital
Molly Fillmore, soprano; Terri Sundberg, flute; Kimberly Cole Luevano, clarinet; Eugene Osadchy, cello; Elvia Puccinelli, piano
Voertman Hall • 12:30 p.m. • Free
Sunday, Nov. 15
UNT Opera and Symphony Orchestra
Mozart's Don Giovanni
Stephen Dubberly, music director
David Ward, stage director
Lyric Theater • 3 p.m. • $35/$25/$15
"In the Know" lecture • 2:15 p.m. • IRR
Monday, Nov. 16
Nova Ensemble
Elizabeth McNutt, director
Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Monday, Nov. 16
Zebras: 70's Jazz Fusion
Aaron Hedenstrom, director
Kenton Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Tuesday, Nov. 17
Student Chamber Music Concert Series
Nikola Ružević, coordinator
Recital Hall/Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Tuesday, Nov. 17
Concert Choir and University Singers
Dwight Jilek and Greg Hobbs, conductors
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Veselé Vánoce: A Czech Christmas at the University of North Texas
Nov. 18 - Nov. 21
czech.music.unt.edu
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Festival Masterclass
Barbara Willi, harpsichord
Recital Hall • 10 a.m. • Free
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Festival Welcome and Faculty Recital
Czech Piano Music of Jan Dussek
Steven Harlos, piano
Thomas Sovik and Justin Lavacek, festival coordinators
Recital Hall • 5:30 p.m. • Free
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Concert Orchestra
Sára Medková, piano
Clay Couturiaux, conductor
Works by Dvořák, Hummel and Beethoven
Pre-concert lecture (Lyric Theater - 7:15 p.m.)
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Thursday, Nov. 19
Brass Music of the American Moravians
Bill Scharnberg, UNT faculty winds and brass
Voertman Hall • 5 p.m. • Free
Friday, Nov. 20
Music of American Moravians
Quartet Galant with Heidi Klein, soprano and Mark McKnight, lecturer
Recital Hall • 4:30 p.m. • Free
Friday, Nov. 20
Recital of Czech Song
UNT Voice Faculty
Recital Hall • 6 p.m. • Free
Friday, Nov. 20
Baroque Orchestra and Collegium Singers
Musica Bohemica
Barbara Willi, harpsichord
Paul Leenhouts and Richard Sparks, conductors
Works by Benda, Schmelzer, Biber and Tolar
Pre-concert lecture (Lyric Theater - 7:15 p.m.)
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Saturday, Nov. 21
Czech Academic Conference
"From the Hussite Wars to the Moravian Lovefeast: How the Czech Nation Lost and Regained Its Musical Identity"
Recital Hall • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • $30 (includes
lunch) • czech.music.unt.edu
Saturday, Nov. 21
Final Banquet & Keynote Address
Gateway • 5:30 p.m. • $35 (cash bar)
czech.music.unt.edu
Saturday, Nov. 21
Symphony Orchestra and University Singers
David Itkin and Greg Hobbs, conductors
Ryba - Česká mše vánoční – A Czech Christmas Mass
Mozart - Symphony No. 40 in G minor
Pre-concert lecture (Lyric Theater - 7:15 p.m.)
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Wednesday, Nov. 18
African Ensemble
Special Rhythms and Dances of Africa
Gideon Alorwoyie, director
Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • $10 (at the door)
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Wednesday Night Jazz
Seven O'Clock Lab Band – Connor Eisenmenger, director
Six O'Clock Lab Band – Rigoberto Velez, director
Gateway Center Ballroom • 9 p.m. • $4 at the door
Thursday, Nov. 19
Wind Symphony
Eugene Migliaro Corporon, conductor
Winspear Hall • 7:30 p.m. • $10/$8
Thursday, Nov. 19
Guest Artist Recital
Joseph Gold, violin
Jaume Torrent, guitar
Recital Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Thursday, Nov. 19
Jazz Singers
Jennifer Barnes, director
Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Saturday, Nov. 21
Afro-Cuban/Brazilian/Latin
Jazz Ensembles
José Aponte, director
Voertman Hall • 6:30 p.m. • Free
Saturday, Nov. 21
Symphony Orchestra and University Singers
David Itkin and Greg Hobbs, conductors
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Sunday, Nov. 22
Center for Chamber Music
George Papich, coordinator
Voertman Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Monday, Nov. 23
Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and University Band
Nicholas E. Williams, Kelly Desjardins and Jacqueline Townsend, conductors
Winspear Hall • 7:30 p.m. • $10/$8
Monday, Nov. 23
UNT Opera Directors Scenes
Lyric Theater • 8 p.m. • Free
Monday, Nov. 23
West End: Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Andrew Evangelista, director
Camille DeVore, assistant director
Kenton Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Tuesday, Nov. 24
UNT Flute Ensemble
Daniel Pardo, director
Voertman Hall • 6:30 p.m. • Free
Tuesday, Nov. 24
SPECTRUM
Sponsored by Composers Forum
Recital Hall • 8 p.m. • Free
Tuesday, Nov. 24
One O'Clock Lab Band
Dennis Mackrel, drumset
Jay Saunders, director
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
December
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Wednesday Night Jazz
Nine O'Clock Lab Band
Eight O'Clock Lab Band
Gateway Center Ballroom • 9 p.m. • $4 at the door
Thursday, Dec. 3
Sounds of the Holidays:
A Choral Celebration
Richard Sparks, coordinator
Winspear Hall • 8 p.m. • $10/$8
Friday, Dec. 11
Holidays with the One O'Clock
Alan Baylock, director
McDavid Studio, Fort Worth • 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: www.basshall.com/mcdavidstudio.jsp