MEDIA CONTACT: Terri Berns
561-297-1164, tberns@fau.edu
The Celebration of American Independence Program, with Guest Soloist, Will Include Music by Mozart, Copland, Foster, Ives, Joplin, Cohan and Sousa
BOCA RATON, FL(June 1, 2006) - Florida Atlantic University Libraries present “Spirit of America: The Concert,” featuring the 22-piece Klezmer Company Orchestra, Aaron Kula, conductor. Florida’s innovative, critically acclaimed Klezmer orchestra, with guest soloist, William Olson, baritone, will perform works by Mozart, Copland, Foster, Ives, Joplin, Cohan and Sousa. The single performance will take place on Sunday, July 2 at 3 p.m. at FAU’s University Center, in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road.
“I chose classic repertoire that reflects the multicultural traditions of American music,” said Kula. “The concert, performed by classical and jazz musicians, includes a variety of composers from 18th century Mozart to 20th century Copland and a who’s who of American composers from New England, Chicago and old Dixie.”
The program opens with “Eine Kleine Nachtsmusik” by Mozart and represents the music of that period. It was the popular music from Europe that Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were playing and listening to, since American music did not exist yet.
The second work, “Appalachian Spring Suite,” is by Aaron Copland, who represents the quintessential 20th century American composer. It reflects the spirit and landscape of America, relating to a small, rural community in the mountains of Appalachia. The music is optimistic in tone and intellectual in content, with orchestrations that are reminiscent of Mozart’s classicism.
The second part of the program takes a change of genres, beginning with a group of American folk songs, including “Turkey in the Straw,” “Liberty Bell Hoe Down,” ‘Long Time Ago,” “Ching-A-Ring Chaw,” “ My Old Kentucky Home” and “Ring, Ring De Banjo.”
Adding humor to the program is Charles Ives’ notorious “Country Band March,” a composition that contains all the mistakes he heard as his father conducted the community band attempting to play American marches to a greater or lesser degree of success.
Continuing in this lively style, the program includes two of Scott Joplin’s most famous pieces, “The Easy Winners” and “Ragtime Dance,” followed by George M. Cohan’s “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy” from “Star Spangled Spectacular,” with an audience sing-a-long. The concert closes on a rousing note with an arrangement of John Phillip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
“Historically, Klezmer orchestra members have been the ultimate cross-over musicians – to use a contemporary term - playing music of and for diverse cultures and their celebrations - everything from classical to dance band to Broadway music - for the cultural melting pot of America,” said Kula.
FAU Libraries’ professional ensemble-in-residence, the Klezmer Company Orchestra, founded in 1997 by Aaron Kula, has a reputation for high-energy performances and eclectic programming of traditional and non-traditional music. The ensemble has performed before thousands at sold-out concerts, receiving critical acclaim for its unique style and innovative arrangements. The core group of eight distinguished musicians has accomplished backgrounds in classical, jazz and pop music, playing electric and acoustic violin, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, flügelhorn, trombone, bass, drums, percussion, piano and accordion. A classical string section, made up of principal players from major local ensembles, has been added for “Spirit of America.”
A special feature of this presentation will include the guest performance of Florida native, opera singer William Olson, a versatile and rugged young American baritone who sang in his first opera at age 8 as a boy soprano, playing a street urchin in Carmen. He has been a professional musician from that day forward in settings as varied as playing saxophone in a jazz band to singing lead in a hard rock band. Opera, however, has been his one true love, performing in both the United States and Europe.
In addition, in celebration of his 300th birthday, founding father Ben Franklin will join the concert, in full colonial attire, as emcee. Known as America’s first, great inventor, he was notably accepted as a musician of unquestionable talent who played the harp, guitar and a Jack Bennyish violin. FAU’s Dr. Kenneth Keaton will play the part of Franklin, bringing the wit and wisdom of this great historical character to the stage.
Kula joined the FAU faculty in 1997. In the fall of 2003, he was appointed director of music collections at FAU Libraries. Kula’s activities include research, archiving, lecturing, composing and performing. He also serves on the faculty at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he has been conducting orchestras since 1986.
For tickets or additional information regarding the concert, call 800-564-9539 or visit www.fauevents.com. Ticket prices are $12 and $15. Additional support for the concert has been provided by FAU’s Lifelong Learning Society.
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