GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine (USM) School of Music fall 2015 season is brimming with audience favorites such as the Faculty Concert Series, USM Youth Ensembles, undergraduate and graduate student ensembles, as well as acclaimed visiting artists, the 25th Annual Scholarship Gala, and a Tony Award winning musical theatre favorite. 

Among the many highlights of the season, the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Lehmann, will welcome Warren Memorial Visiting Artist Nell Shipman, the newly appointed creative director of the Portland Ballet Company, for a performance of Richard Strauss' “Duo Concertino” featuring Maine Ballet dancers.

“With Portland Ballet’s Nell Shipman as the first of our Warren Memorial Visiting Artists this year, we welcome our first ever choreographer as a visiting artist,” said Alan Kaschub, interim director of the USM School of Music. “Her collaboration with our faculty and students promises to be an enriching experience for both of our organizations.”

The School of Music also will welcome visiting assistant professor Nicolás Alberto Dosman as the new conductor of the University Chorale and the USM Chamber Singers. Robert Russell, the well-known former conductor of these groups, retired from USM after the spring 2015 semester, and he continues to be a major influence on southern Maine music.

“We are very excited to welcome choral director Nicolás Dosman to our faculty,” said Kaschub. “Robert Russell helped to define choral music in Maine during his 35 years at USM. This transition is a perfect example of USM showing its strength and keeping its commitment to that legacy.” 

“This year, we are thrilled to offer two performances of the fall musical at the Portland campus Hannaford Hall, in addition to three performances on the Gorham campus, making the arts at USM at once increasingly accessible and consistently affordable for the greater Portland community.” said Manuel Avalos, dean of the USM College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Edward Reichert will direct this exciting fall musical theatre surprise featuring an accompanying children’s choir.

Additional guest artists include the Pane/Funahashi Piano Duo, who will perform a work for two pianos and interactive electronics. In this innovative work, the pianists interact with the computer through various gestural controllers to affect not only audio responses but also three-dimensional surface-mapped video.

The USM Big Band Ballroom Bash is a new and exciting event presented in partnership with the Department of Art, Department of Athletics, Department of Student and University Life, and Department of Theatre. With music provided by the USM Jazz Ensemble and the Portland Jazz Orchestra, the evening will feature choreographed performances by USM dance students of faculty member Maria Tzianabos as well as open dances for ballroom dancers of all levels.

The annual community favorite, Old-Fashioned Outdoor Band Concert, will be a bittersweet performance, as conductor Peter Martin will retire from the university at the end of the fall 2015 semester. In his traditional fashion, Martin will ensure that the Concert Band sends him out with a bang.

“The retirements of both Peter Martin and Robert Russell are huge events for us this year,” remarked Kaschub. “They mark a time of change, and of gratitude for their service to Maine. No doubt this year will be marked by wistfulness but also great anticipation for what is coming next for us and for them.”

The Opening Faculty Concert Series concert will feature Wren Saunders, bassoon, performing along with faculty musicians on flute and clarinet, and a guest artist on harp. The next concert of the series will feature Taylor O’Donnell who recently joined the School of Music as director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, performing vocals along with the Faculty Jazz Ensemble.

The 25 Anniversary celebration of our annual scholarship gala, “A Return to the Eastland,” will be held in the Eastland Grand Ballroom of the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel. This signature kick-off to the holiday season highlights School of Music students, entertains hundreds of guests and raises scholarship funds to support talented young musicians. The evening will feature gourmet food and wine, dessert, a live auction, silent auction, raffle, and live music from acclaimed USM music students.

Sponsors for the 2015-2016 USM School of Music season include ARAMARK; Macy’s; Murray, Plumb and Murray; Norway Savings Bank; Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution; Richard and Edna Krull, and the USM School of Music Advisory Board.

Tickets

For tickets and reservations go to: http://www.usm.maine.edu/music/boxoffice or call the USM Music Box Office at 207-780-5555. For special accommodations, call 207-780-5142, TTY: 780-5646.

Ticket A: $15, general public; $10, seniors, USM employees and alumni; $5 students.

Ticket B: $8, general admission; $5, students, seniors, USM employees and alumni.

USM School of Music Fall 2015 Events At-A-Glance

SEPTEMBER 

●  Faculty Concert Series: Wren Saunders

8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11

Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave.

Featuring: Wren Saunders, bassoon; Krysia Tripp, flute; Thomas Parchman, clarinet; and Judy Saiki, harp. An evening of beautiful contemporary music for bassoon, flute, clarinet, and harp drawn from the repertoire of Navok, Andres, and Jolivet.  Ticket A Sponsored by the USM School of Music Advisory Board

●  Old-Fashioned Outdoor Band Concert 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 26 The Green outside Corthell Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave. The 13th annual Old-Fashioned Outdoor Band Concert kicks off with a barbecue picnic at noon, available at old-fashioned prices! Bring the whole family, the lawn chairs, and an appetite for an old New England treasure. Concert is free; barbecue is cash-only. Sponsored by ARAMARK

OCTOBER

●  Faculty Concert Series:Taylor O'Donnell and the Faculty Jazz Ensemble

8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16

Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave.

USM Jazz Faculty Taylor O'Donnell, vocals; Bill Street and Barry Saunders, saxophones; Chris Klaxton, trumpet; Christopher Oberholtzer, trombone; Gary Wittner, guitar; Bronek Suchanek, bass; and Les Harris Jr, drums.  Ticket A

●  USM Wind Ensemble

2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18

Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave.

Conducted by Peter Martin

The USM Wind Ensemble is an acclaimed collection of students who have established a tradition of performing chamber and large instrumentations, traditional or experimental combinations, and early through contemporary literature.  Ticket B

●  Award Winning Fall Musical

October 23-25, 2015

8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24 at Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave.

2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25 at Hannaford Hall, Abromson Center, USM Portland Campus, 88 Bedford St.

Direction by Edward Reichert

Choreography by Jasmine Ireland

Music Direction by Kellie Moody

Vibrantly set to an engaging cornucopia of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock 'n' roll, this special tale emerges both timely and timeless. A children's chorus made up of young voices from southern Maine will help bring this surprise Tony Award-winning musical to life!  Ticket A

Co-Sponsored by Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution and Richard and Edna Krull 

NOVEMBER

●  Visiting Artist Lecture: The Art of Choreography 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 6 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave Presented by Portland Ballet Company artistic director Nell Shipman, who will join the USM School of Music as a Warren Memorial Visiting Artist. Free and open to the public.

●  Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7 Gorham Middle School, 106 Weeks Rd. Conducted by Robert Lehman The highlight of this concert will be a performance of Richard Strauss' “Duo Concertino” featuring original choreography by Warren Memorial Visiting Artist, Nell Shipman, the new Artistic Director of the Portland Ballet Company.

Members of the Portland Ballet and USM student performers Jordan Dube and Kevin Schaefer will be featured.  Ticket B

Made possible with a grant from the Warren Memorial Foundation.

●  USM Youth Ensembles Fall Instrumental Concert 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12 Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland This annual concert, presented at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium, showcases the wonderful talent, skill, and dedication to excellence of southern Maine’s young musicians. The performance includes: - Portland Youth Wind Ensemble, conducted by Peter Martin - Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Lehmann - Portland Youth Junior Orchestra, conducted by Ferdinand Liva - Portland Young People's String Consort, conducted by Deborah Dabczynski Suggested donation: $8/$5 at the door Sponsored by Macy's

●  Master Class with Daniel Bubeck, Countertenor 1:30-4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College AveAmerican countertenor Daniel Bubeck has emerged as a singer of international distinction. Throughout his career Mr. Bubeck has been a featured soloist with many of the worlds most esteemed orchestras, and has collaborated with the worlds most renowned conductors. In this master class, several of USM's most accomplished vocalists will benefit from Bubeck's critical feedback, and technical and artistic instruction, while the audience enjoys exceptional musicianship at work. Free and open to the public

•  USM Jazz Ensemble 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave. Directed by Christopher Oberholtzer. The USM Jazz Ensemble is a student group that epitomizes “big band” sound. The ensemble will perform traditional swing music, as well as innovative compositions and arrangements.  Ticket B

●  University Chorale: Hope and Redemption 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave Conducted by Nicolás Alberto Dosman. The University Chorale's Hope and Redemption concert focuses on choral music that addresses these two themes through many musical time periods and perspectives. Sacred music from as early as the baroque period through modern art music are incorporated into this concert. Featured composers include: Handel, Tschesnekoff, Thompson, Brahms, Ames, Whitacre, and Dawson.  Ticket B

●  USM Youth Ensembles Fall Choral Concert 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave. The Southern Maine Youth Chorale, conducted by Rebecca DeWan, and the Southern Maine Children's Choir, conducted by Paul McGovern, rehearse at the USM School of Music throughout the fall and present a final concert to showcase their talent and musicianship. The SMYC is comprised of singers in grades 7-12, and the SMC is comprised of singers in grades 3 and up. Donations accepted at the door. Sponsored by Macy's

●  Vocal Jazz Ensembles 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave Directed by Taylor O'Donnell. The USM Vocal Jazz Ensemble includes both music and non-music majors. The ensemble will perform intricate arrangements of jazz standards, as well as pieces written specifically for vocal jazz ensembles. Per the ensemble’s custom, the performance will include improvised vocal solos.  Ticket B 

●  USM Big Band Ballroom Bash 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21 Warren Hill Gym, Costello Sports Complex, USM Gorham Campus, 47 Campus Ave. It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing... and ballroom dance! Journey back to the roaring 1940s on the Gorham campus for an eclectic celebration of jazz and dance, featuring the USM Jazz Ensemble, Portland Jazz Orchestra, and Maria Tzianabos' USM dance students. Whether you prefer the foxtrot, the salsa, or the cha cha, ballroom dancers of all levels are invited to join in the revelry. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Tickets: $20 per person; $35 per couple; free with USM student ID

●  USM Concert Band 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 22 McCormack Performing Arts Center, Gorham High School, 41 Morrill Ave. Conducted by Peter Martin

The USM Concert Band performs a variety of traditional, modern and popular pieces. In their November performance, the band takes to the Gorham High School stage to feature spirited and dynamic concert favorites.  Ticket B

DECEMBER

●  The Joyous Sounds of Latin America 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1 Williston Immanuel United Church, 156 High St., Portland USM Chamber Singers Conducted by Nicolás Alberto Dosman. The USM Chamber Singers represent the university’s most outstanding vocal performers, conducted this season by our visiting assistant professor of choral conducting. The group performs a diverse repertory centered on a cappella literature of the Renaissance Era and the Twentieth Century, and this semester will delight us with the joyous sounds of Latin America Suggested donation: $12 at the door. Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank

●  25th Annual Scholarship Gala: A Return to the Eastland 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4 Eastland Grand Ballroom, Westin Portland Harborview Hotel, 157 High St., Portland. Join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our annual holiday gala! This year we return to the Eastland, where many of our early galas were held. This signature event is a kick-off to the holiday season, highlights our School of Music students, entertains hundreds of guests and most importantly, raises money to support talented young musicians. Join us as we celebrate many wonderful memories of this very special night! Featuring gourmet food and wine, dessert, live auction, silent action, raffle, and live music from our acclaimed music students.

Reservations required: $100 per person; $150 per person to enroll on host committee; cash bar; black tie optional

For tickets and more information contact Binney Brackett at 207-780-5003 or brackett@usm.maine.edu

●  Composers Showcase Concert 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5

Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave. Directed by Daniel Sonenberg. The USM Composers Ensemble is a group of more than 30 students who work collaboratively to rehearse and debut pieces that each student individually composes, under the direction of Daniel Sonenberg, USM associate professor of music and resident composer. Each semester culminates with a final Showcase Concert, which features the ensemble performing wholly original work. Free and open to the public

●  Opera Scenes Concert 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave. Directed by Ellen Chickering Students studying voice performance or music education will perform a variety of pieces from well-known operas, along with piano accompaniment.  Ticket B

●  Master Class:Warren Memorial Visiting Artists Funehashi/Pane Piano Duo 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave.

Master classes are a valuable resource to musicians attending, and an interesting and entertaining way for non-musicians to gain a better understanding of the technical demands of musicianship. Students from all disciplines and the general public are welcome to attend.

Free and open to the public. Made possible with a grant from the Warren Memorial Foundation.

●  Warren Memorial Visiting Artists: Funehashi/Pane Piano Duo Concert 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11 Corthell Concert Hall, USM Gorham Campus, 37 College Ave. The Pane/Funahashi Duo brings a fresh take on the duo piano repertoire with an original transcription of Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet Suite” and an arrangement of the Poulenc “Concerto for Two Pianos.” Also featured on the program is “R-Motion: Drosera,” a work for two pianos and interactive electronics, written for the duo by composer Jonathan Hallstrom, faculty member at Colby College. In this innovative work, the pianists interact with the computer through various gestural controllers to affect not only audio responses but also three-dimensional surface-mapped video. Ticket A Made possible with a grant from the Warren Memorial Foundation

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