7 events you don't want to miss this season at UNT's College of Music

Thursday, August 13, 2015 - 20:49
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DENTON (UNT), Texas – Musicians and music lovers from around the world will flock to UNT's College of Music this fall for a variety of concerts, events and international festivals. Classical music, jazz, the best of Broadway and holiday classics are on the program this season starting with the 51st annual American Liszt Festival in September and ending with the popular Sounds of the Holidays concert in December, this year featuring choral music.

Be sure to mark these seven big events on your calendar and see the attached PDF schedule for all concerts and events happening at the College of Music this fall:

  • Faculty Recital concert series featuring Gustavo Romero, 8 p.m. (each night) Aug. 27, 29 and 31, at the College of Music's Voertman Hall, 415 Ave. C

    Internationally renowned College of Music faculty member Gustavo Romero opens the College of Music's fall season with a series of concerts in late August. These free concerts feature works for piano by Franz Schubert juxtaposed with the music of Second Viennese School composers.
  • American Liszt Festival: Liszt and Damnation, Sept. 16-18, at the College of Music, 415 Ave. C, and the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road

    The College of Music welcomes the American Liszt Society to campus for the group's 51st gathering, which explores a fascinating, yet not so well known characteristic of Liszt's music: the dark and often sinister, death-obsessed side primarily prominent in his later years of life. The festival includes several lectures and recitals featuring Liszt's works. One of the key performances will be the UNT Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Itkin, performing with College of Music faculty. The program features the Busoni version of Listz's Totentanz: Paraphrase on Dies Irae, S. 126, with pianist Joseph Banowetz; and Wagner's Die Walküre, Act 1, with vocalists Carol Wilson, William Joyner, and Stephen Morscheck at 8 p.m. Sept. 16 (Wednesday) in Winspear Hall.
    All festival lectures and recitals are $10 at the door. The Symphony Orchestra performance is $15; tickets at www.thempac.com. More information about the festival can be found at http://lisztfestival.unt.edu/home.
  • The UNT College of Music's annual gala Easy to Love: A Celebration of Love Songs from Broadway, 4 p.m. Oct. 4, Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road
    The College of Music's annual gala features conductor David Itkin directing the Symphony Orchestra and student vocal soloists. Program features beloved songs from Broadway performances, such as: "Some Enchanted Evening," South Pacific; "Hello Young Lovers," The King and I; "I've Got You Under My Skin," Born to Dance; "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful," Cinderella; "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," Pal Joey; "People Will Say We're In Love," Oklahoma!
    Tickets: $25 at www.thempac.com
  • 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

    This two-act opera composed by Mozart is based on libertine of legend Don Juan, sometimes referred to as the "seducer of Seville." In this operatic adaptation of the story, womanizer and degenerate desperado Don Giovanni seals his fate after killing the father of the girl he is trying to seduce. 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.  
  • Veselé Vánoce! A Czech Christmas at the University of North Texas, Nov. 18-21 at the College of Music, 415 Ave. C, and the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road

    This "Christmas-themed" festival of Czech music includes daily lectures, masterclasses and performances, all of which are open to the public. The keynote work of the festival, conducted by visiting professor Greg Hobbs, is the Česká mše vánoční, a pastoral Christmas mass by Jakub Jan Ryba, which will be presented Nov. 21 (Saturday) by the Symphony Orchestra and University Singers, with student organist and vocal soloists. Other highlights include Czech pianist Sára Medková performing Johann Nepomuk 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 full events listing, visit http://czech.music.unt.edu/.
  • One O'Clock Lab Band with guest Dennis Mackrel at 8 p.m. Nov. 24, Winspear Hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 I-35E Frontage Road

    The One O'Clock Lab Band led by Jay Saunders welcomes guest 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.
    Tickets $15 at www.thempac.com
  • 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 choral works, audience sing-along carols and classic holiday favorites performed by student vocalists, with additional works for organ and brass ensemble.
    Tickets $10 at www.thempac.com.

For a complete list of UNT College of Music events, including faculty, student and guest artist recitals, visit the College of Music online calendar. Tickets go on sale Sept. 8. For ticket information at the Murchison Performing Arts Center, call the box office at 940-369-7802 or visit the center's website. Many concerts are streamed live online.

The Music Building is located at the southeast corner of Avenue C and Chestnut Street. The Murchison Performing Arts Center is located along the north side of Interstate 35 at North Texas Boulevard.

About the UNT College of Music

The UNT College of Music is one of the largest and most respected comprehensive music schools in the country. More than 1,600 music students attend UNT each year, participating in more than 50 widely varied ensembles and pursuing specialized studies in performance, composition, music education or music scholarship. UNT faculty members and students have made appearances on the world's finest stages and have produced numerous recordings, many receiving Grammy awards and nominations. Distinguished UNT alumni can be found around the globe, in top music ensembles, opera companies, universities and schools.

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