Harp Ensemble
Liedergarten
6:30–8 p.m.
Serena O’Meara, director
The Harp Ensemble is a community-based group of harpists who perform at a variety of events. The Harp Ensemble’s performance of Viennese works transcribed for harp follows a precedent established in Vienna when Johann Strauss’ youngest brother Eduard, himself a harpist, conducted his orchestra from the harp.
BASSically BRASS
Southeast Entrance or Bösendorfer Salon
6:30–8 p.m.
Jerry A. Young, director
BASSically BRASS, the UW-Eau Claire euphonium/tuba ensemble, has existed in its current form since 1984 as a chamber ensemble in the Music and Theatre Arts Department. Under the direction of its founder, Dr. Jerry Young, the ensemble has performed at regional, national, and international conferences regularly over the years, including three International Tuba/Euphonium Association conferences, the U.S. Army International Tuba/Euphonium Conference in Washington, D.C., and two European tours. In 2004, BASSically BRASS was the featured ensemble at the closing concert of the ITEA conference held on the main stage of the famous Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 2008, the ensemble recorded its first compact disc recording, BASSically HOLIDAYS, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation. The ensemble performs repertoire ranging from arrangements of works from all style periods to original works for the medium to popular favorites.
University Harp Ensemble
Black Forest Room
6:30–8 p.m.
Paula Smith, director
The mission of the UW-Eau Claire Harp Ensemble is to connect harpists to the community and to be an ambassador of the harp by providing ensemble experience and performance opportunities. Ensemble members reflect a broad range of musical accomplishments and fields of study within the university.
University Chamber Orchestra
Golden Lion Festival Room
7–8 p.m.
Tulio Rondón, conductor
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra is a small student string orchestra that performs two concerts a year. This ensemble is prepared and coached by assistant professor of violoncello, Dr. Tulio Rondón. In spring the chamber orchestra concentrates on music from the baroque and classical periods, in a stylistic fashion called, “historically informed performance practice.” In fall the ensemble concentrates on romantic and 20th century music. Both concerts enhance the technical ability of string playing as well as better understanding of a wide range of repertoire.
