Sol Flamenco @ SOU Monday, May 7!

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release:               For further information contact:

Friday, April 06, 2012                   Colleen Graves

gravesc@sou.edu

541.552.6102

The SOU Department of Performing Arts

presents

“Fiesta Flamenca: The Music and Dance of Spain”

Presented by

San Diego based dance troupe Sol Flamenco with Mark Taylor, guitar Grant Ruiz, guitar and Dr. Terry Longshore, percussion

(Ashland, Ore.) – The Department of Performing Arts at Southern Oregon University (SOU) presents Sol Flamenco Dance & Music Troupe on Monday, May 7, 7:30pm, where the passion and fire of Spain hits the stage for one night only. An evening of lightning-fast footwork, haunting guitar rhythms, and soulful singing awaits you.  The concert will take place in the Music Recital Hall on Mountain Ave. at Southern Oregon University.  Admission is $10 general and free for students with I.D.

Featuring a cast of artists that have recently returned from Spain, Oregon welcomes dancers Liz Bortolotto and Joelle Gonçalves, plus flamenco guitarist Mark Taylor. The group has been working together for many years and it shows in the dancers’ precision footwork, vocals, the guitarist's bold accompaniment, and the company's strong stage presence. This year’s show also brings the return of special guest artists, percussionist Terry Longshore and guitarist Grant Ruiz.

A performer, teacher, and co-director of dance troupe Sol Flamenco, Joelle Gonçalves has performed throughout the West Coast with a variety of flamencocompanies including Aire Flamenco, Los Cuatro Vientos, Flamenco Puro, FlamencoArts, and was a featured soloist in Yaelisa's Noche de Amor.  Joelle's attraction to the art of flamenco began over a decade ago while she was earning her degree in Art History. It was the combination of passionate singing, fiery dancing and haunting guitar rhythms that completely enthralled her and led her to Seville, Spain, where she began her professional dance training with Maestro José Galván. Joelle has studied with such notable flamenco artists as Joaquin Ruiz, Concha Vargas, Angel Muñoz, and Antonio Granjeros. She travels to Spain annually to study with Manuel Betan.

Liz Bortolotto began her life as a flamenco dancer in 1999. Since then, she has danced professionally with Sol Flamenco, Mark Taylor Flamenco, Flamenco Arts, andLos Cuatro Vientos. Liz trained primarily with Jose Galvan of Seville, Spain and local artists Yaelisa (Emmy winning choreographer and dancer), Carola Zertuche, and Elaine Marlow. She has also studied with traveling artists such as Antonio Granjeros, Belen Maya, Pastora Galvan and Joaquin Ruiz. She recently returned from Spain where she studied with world famous Flamenco dance teacher, Manuel Betanzos.

Classical and Flamenco guitarist Mark Taylor is an international recording artist and performer. His combined experience in classical and flamenco music make him a strong and dynamic interpreter of the classical repertoire with an approach toflamenco that is rhythmically vibrant, passionate and true to the essence of the many styles he performs.

Mark was already a professional classical guitarist when he first began traveling to Spain in 1987. He studied flamenco guitar in Granada, Sevilla, Jerez de la Frontera, and Madrid. He returned to the United States to form the Aire Flamenco Dance Company & The Mark Taylor Flamenco Quartet. He has performed as a soloist in Spain and the United States and appears regularly as featured artist with the SolFlamenco Dance Company and The San Francisco Bay area’s Potaje ensemble, directed by Chus Alonso. He has also collaborated with Francisco Gaona’s stage productions of Romanceros Gitanos, Cante Jondo and Cantares by Federico García Lorca.

Radio and television credits include interviews by Jose Maria Velasquez on Spanish National Radio in Madrid and Michael Krazny’s Forum on KQED Public Radio in San Francisco. Mark’s music is featured on television on the Discovery Channel programBizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, “Spain” and “Morocco” episodes.  Pierce Carson in The Napa Valley Register called Mark Taylor “The Bay Area’s Best flamencoguitarist…Taylor has a feel for the music’s innate sensuality.”

If you would like more information or to schedule a phone interview with Joelle Gonçalves, Artistic Director, or Mark Taylor, please call Joelle Gonçalves at (707) 573-8450 or e-mail Joelle at solflamenco@gmail.com. Visit www.SolFlamenco.comfor more information, or to hear the music of Mark Taylor, visitwww.marktaylorflamenco.com.

Tickets for this performance are $10 for general admission and free for students.  Tickets may be purchased by calling 541-552-6101 or at the Music Box Office prior to the performance.  The SOU Music Recital Hall is located at 405 S. Mountain Ave. in Ashland.  For more information, please visit SOU’s Music website athttp://www.sou.edu/music 

-SOU-

SOU/Oregon PAS Day of Percussion

NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release:                For further information contact:

April 2, 2012                                  Colleen Graves

                                                     gravesc@sou.edu

  541.552.6102

Day of Percussion

(Ashland, Ore.) – Day of Percussion

        

Southern Oregon University Department of Performing Arts presents a Day of Percussion, Saturday, April 21, 9:00 AM through evening at the Music Building at SOU, hosted by Dr. Terry Longshore, Director of Percussion Studies at SOU, and Bryan Jeffs, Instructor of Percussion at SOU. The featured guest artists are legendary drummer and percussionist Alex Acuña, marimba artist Matthew Coley, taiko percussionist Kelvin Underwood, and drum circle facilitator Kerry “The Shakerman” Greene.  The event is co-sponsored by the Percussive Arts Society.

Events include a drum-set and percussion clinic with Acuña, a marimba/ percussion clinic with Coley, and a Japanese taiko drumming workshop with Underwood.  Kerry "The Shakerman" Greene will host a community drum circle.  There will be vendor displays and a raffle. Other featured performers will be the SOU Percussion Ensemble, percussion trio Compás, the Ashland High School Percussion Ensemble, and other student ensembles.  The 7:30 PM evening showcase concert will feature Alex Acuña, Matthew Coley, and Kelvin Underwood in concert along with the SOU Percusison Ensemble.

Born in Pativilca, Peru, 100 miles north of Lima, Alex Acuña was born into a musical family that inspired him and helped shape him as a musician. His father and five brothers were all musicians. Alex taught himself how to play the drums from the age of four. By the time Alex turned ten, he was already playing in local bands. As a teenager, he moved to Lima and became one of Peru's most accomplished session drummers, performing on many recording projects for artists, as well as film and television productions.

Alex is widely known as an educator, gifted teacher and clinician of drums and percussion. He has recorded four solo instructional videos and provides seminars at universities such as UC Los Angeles, Berklee School of Music in Boston and other top international schools of music. DW Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Gon Bops Percussion, Gibraltar, Vic Firth, Evans and Shure microphones all sponsor Alex. He is also credited with the design of Zildjian's "Azuka" line of cymbals, signature Vic Firth sticks and the caddy stick bag, the Alex Acuña signature line of congas, bongos, timbales, cajons, and bells from Gon Bops Percussion.

Matthew Coley performs regularly as a soloist throughout the US and Europe, and has performed with such entities as the Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival, San Francisco Sinfonietta, Millennium Chamber Players, Moldavian Philharmonic and Tele-Radio Orchestras, and Kurpfalzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim. He has also been featured three times on Chicago’s WFMT Classical Radio Station and in a feature article in Time Out Chicago Magazine.

Matthew is currently professor of percussion at Iowa State University, and holds degrees from Northwestern University and the University of North Texas. He is endorsed by Marimba One, Innovative Percussion, and Sabian Cymbals, and published by Innovative Percussion and Edition Svitzer.;

Born in North Carolina, Kelvin Underwood’s musical journey began with a drum set and two understanding parents. At age 19, Kelvin was recruited by Tagayasu Den to join the world-famous taiko group, Ondekoza. As a member of Ondekoza he has performed in some of the worlds most prestigious stages including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. After touring internationally for four hears, Kelvin returned to the US to enroll at Berklee College of Music, where he graduated with a degree in Professional Music. He has collaborated with electronic-instrument-maker Sudhu Tewari to produce “Meidoko: Unearth” and has studied the Brazilian martial art Capoeira. Currently living in Ashland, Oregon, Kelvin teaches taiko and drum set and is an active solo artist.

Kerry the “Shakerman” Greene’s amazing rhythmical journey began in 1993 when inspired by the percussive mastery of percussionist George Jinda of “Special EFX”, Kerry “the Shakerman” then created Shakka Shakerz, now a popular percussion shaker. While visiting a drum shop, he witnessed a drum circle being facilitated by the amazing Arthur Hull.  Intrigued, Kerry began studying with Mr. Hull at the weeklong Drum Circle Facilitators workshop in Hawaii.  Known for his enthusiasm, patience and abilities, he leads individuals on a path of self-discovery using the drums, shakers and other percussion instruments as tools for unity and empowerment.

The Day of Percussion is also sponsored by SOU College of Arts & Sciences, SOU Division of Continuing Education, SOU Educational Activities Advisory Committee, SOU Percussion Club, The Percussive Arts Society, Gon-Bops Percussion, Drum Workshop, Evans Drumheads, Marimba One, Zildjian Cymbals, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, D’Addario, Innovative Mallets, International Art & Sound, Yamaha Percussion, Remo Drumheads, and Plaza Inn & Suites at Ashland Creek.

Pre-registration cost is $25 general public, ($30 after April 16) for the full day including lunch and the evening concert; $10 for the concert only. Students receive free admission to the concert only with ID.  To register or purchase concert tickets call 541-552-6899 or look on the web: http://sou.edu/music/percussion/dayofpercussion.html

-SOU-

SOU Percussion Ensembles present "Living Sound"

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For further information contact:
February 20, 2012   Colleen Graves
gravesc@sou.edu
541.552.6102

The Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles, directed by Dr. Terry Longshore, and the Southern Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA present “Living Sound”, a concert of works by local composers.

(Ashland, Ore.) – The widely acclaimed Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles and the Southern Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA present “Living Sound”, a concert of works by local composers.  The concert will also feature works by SOU music students and faculty.  The performance will take place in the SOU Music Recital Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., in Ashland on Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30 PM.  Admission to the concert is $5 general and free for students.

The SOU Percussion Ensemble and Compás have been praised throughout the northwest for their performances of contemporary percussion music that entertains, challenges, and excites listeners of all ages.  Composer William Kraft (former Los Angeles Philharmonic Composer-in-Residence, Associate Conductor, and Principal Timpanist) said of the ensemble, "I have never – repeat, never – been so pleased with performances of my works."

The concert will open with “M’Weya”, a traditional Zimbabwean marimba composition by Dumisani Maraire.  This exciting and joyful piece will be led by SOU Percussion Ensemble Alumnus Lindsay Campbell, who taught the piece to the ensemble.

Much of the evening’s music is composed by members of the Southern Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA (NACUSA).  Founded by Henry Hadley in 1933, NACUSA is one of the oldest organizations devoted to the promotion and performance of American concert hall music. Many of America's most distinguished composers have been among its members. NACUSA presents several chamber concerts each year that feature music by its members.  The concert will feature the following works of NACUSA composers including three premiere performances:

• “nobody, not even the rain” by William Ashworth - for vibraphone duet (premiere)
• “Women’s Voices, Women’s Words” by I’lana Cotton - for percussion quartet and soprano, featuring SOU Music Student Beatriz Abella
• “Meditation” by Ken Deveney - for marimba duet (premiere)
• “Los Amores de Maria Bonita” by Theodore Dollarhide - for percussion octet (premiere)
• “Diversions & Interactions” by Greg Steinke - for percussion trio

Two student works will also be premiered on the concert -  “Helix”, co-composed by SOU Music Students Daniel Freiberg and Dan Machen and “The Living Loop”, a marimba quartet by Daniel Freiberg performed by percussion quartet “Reso-Nation.”

The concert will close with a premiere performance of a new large ensemble work by SOU Adjunct Instructor of Percussion (and SOU Alumnus), Bryan Jeffs.  The work, titled “A Maroon Hog’s Rebel Frog”, is a tribute to the music of composer John Bergamo, a favorite of the ensemble and audiences, and is sure to leave the audience smiling.  A reception will follow the concert in the Music Recital Hall foyer.

Music for 18 Musicians

 

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For further information contact:
February 16, 2012   
Colleen Graves  gravesc@sou.edu  541.552.6102

The Southern Oregon University Contemporary Music Ensemble,

directed by Dr. Terry Longshore, presents

Steve Reich’s epic masterwork

“Music for 18 Musicians”

(Ashland, Ore.) – The premiere performance of the Southern Oregon University (SOU) Contemporary Music Ensemble, directed by Dr. Terry Longshore, will feature Steve Reich’s epic masterwork, “Music for 18 Musicians”.  The performance will take place in the SOU Music Recital Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., in Ashland on Friday, March 9, at 7:30 PM.  A pre-concert talk, by students of Dr. Longshore’s seminar on Minimalism, will take place at 6:30 PM in the Music Recital Hall.  Admission to the concert is $5 general and free for students.

Written in 1974-76, “Music for 18 Musicians” is considered by many to be Reich’s finest work.  The hour-long work features what was then a departure from the almost purely percussion-based ensembles of Reich’s earlier works into a lushly orchestrated ensemble.  The performers include six percussionists playing three marimbas, two xylophones, vibraphone, and maracas; four pianists; two clarinetists doubling on bass clarinet; violinist; cellist; and four female vocalists.

The SOU Contemporary Music Ensemble is directed by Dr. Terry Longshore, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at SOU.  A specialist in contemporary music, Longshore has performed and coached the music of Steve Reich extensively throughout the United States.  Recently, to mark Reich’s 75th birthday, Longshore performed Reich’s legendary “Drumming” in San Diego, Omaha, Hayward, and at Southern Oregon University.  This performance of the SOU Contemporary Music Ensemble features SOU students, alumni, and faculty members including Dr. Rhett Bender, Professor of Music and Director of Woodwind Studies, and Bryan Jeffs, Adjunct Instructor of Percussion.

There will be a pre-concert talk at 6:30 PM in the Music Recital Hall.  The talk will be presented by SOU Music students who are participating in Dr. Longshore’s seminar course this term, Special Topic Music History: Minimalism.

Tickets for this performance are only $5 for general admission and free for students.  Tickets and season passes may be purchased by calling 541-552-6101 or at the Music Box Office prior to the performance.  For more information, please visit Southern Oregon University’s Department website at www.sou.edu/music.  

-SOU-

Dúo Flamenco @ The Secret Chamber Series

Highlights from travel/study in Spain - December 2011

Flamenco show in Madrid with Felix La Lola, cantaor; Ullrich, guitarrista; Cristina Hall, bailaora

Grant Ruiz and Felix La Lola - flamenco accompaniment class.

"Wall of cajones!"  TamTam percussion in Sevilla - what a selection!

With José and Victor at TamTam Percussion.

Researching design and trying Spanish cajones.  Models from Barcelona, Sevilla, Huelva, Córdoba, Girona, and Germany. I must have played 20 or more before deciding...

And the winner is...the Pepote Maxi from Huelva - great sensitivity and powerful bass.

Dúo Flamenco at the Giralda Cathedral in Sevilla.

Casteñuelas lesson with José Galvan.  What a monster player!

With José Galvan.

Post flamenco session with:

Hanauel (Sevilla), Peter (London), Ian Scionti (Sevilla), Ian (Brighton)

SOU Percussion Ensembles Concert 11/29 & Daniel Glass Clinic 11/30

I am thrilled to announce 2 exciting events this coming week!  Read on...

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For further information contact:
November 14, 2011   Colleen Graves
gravesc@sou.edu
541.552.6102

The Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles, under the direction of Dr. Terry Longshore, presents “Rolling Thunder” featuring Taiko drummer Kelvin Underwood and percussion trio Compás

(Ashland, Ore.) – The widely acclaimed Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles, under the direction of Dr. Terry Longshore, will present “Rolling Thunder” on Tuesday, November 29, at 7:30 PM in the Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall.

The SOU Percussion Ensemble and Compás have been praised throughout the northwest for their performances of contemporary percussion music that entertains, challenges, and excites listeners of all ages.  Composer William Kraft (former Los Angeles Philharmonic Composer-in-Residence, Associate Conductor, and Principal Timpanist) said of the ensemble, "I have never – repeat, never – been so pleased with performances of my works."

The concert will open with “Jabberwocky”, written by Stan Sitnik in the style of the Zimbabwean marimba tradition.  This exciting and joyful piece will be led by SOU Percussion Ensemble Alumnus Lindsay Campbell, who taught the piece to the ensemble.

Featured guest artist for the evening will be taiko and percussionist artist Kelvin Underwood who will lead the ensemble on Maki Ishii’s “Monochrome” for taiko drum ensemble. Underwood began his professional music career with pioneering Taiko ensemble Za Ondekoza from 1994-1998.  He left the ensemble to study music and percussion at Berklee College Music in Boston, MA from 1999-2003.  Once his studies at Berklee were complete he moved to California and began working with the highly acclaimed Taiko group On Ensemble and created his own Taiko project Meidoko (may-doh-koh).  Meidoko is a slight departure from any conventions found in the Taiko world.  The group explores the common thread of their highly energetic style of drumming, Jazz, Alternative Rock and the Brazilian fight/dance Capoeira .  

Taiko drumming as a performing art is relatively young, but is rooted in centuries-old drumming in the temples and shrines of Japan.  The large drums can be heard for miles, and were designed to be heard by all the inhabitants of a village, no matter how far away from the temple they resided.  The “Rolling Thunder” of “Monochrome” guarantees to be an excite listeners of all ages.

Also featured will be percussion trio “Catfish” by Stanford University-based composer Mark Applebaum, a favorite of Southern Oregon audiences that have delighted in performances of his music by Terry Longshore and the Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles.  “Catfish”, for each player’s choice of 3 like instruments (wood, metal, skin), features many polyrhythms, metric modulations, and aleatoric sections, all the while rooted in a strong sense of groove.  Compás, led by Terry Longshore, features dynamic percussionists Bryan Jeffs and Jacob Phelps-Ransom.

The Reso-Nation Percussion Quartet will perform “Wart Hog #3” by Austin Wrinkle and new composition “Full Cycle” by quartet member Daniel Freiberg.  “Wart Hog” has its roots in the rhythms of India, and the ensemble members recite and perform the rhythmic language used in this fascinating music.  “Full Cycle” is inspired by African music with instruments chosen, from deepest lows to piercing highs, to shape the dynamic and melodic qualities of the piece.   Reso-Nation also features Jordan Levelle, Sean Muir, and Sean Siders.

The ensemble will also perform Anthony Cirone’s “4/4 for Four” and Daniel Levitan’s “Variations on a Ghanaian Theme.”  The concert will close with audience favorite John Bergamo’s Zappa-esque “Totally Hip” arranged for 10-member ensemble including keyboard percussion, drums, bass, junk percussion, Swiss cowbells, and electronics.

Tickets for this performance are $5 for general admission and free for students.  Tickets and season passes may be purchased by calling 541-552-6101 or at the Music Box Office prior to the performance.  For more information, please visit Southern Oregon University’s Music website at http://www.sou.edu/music  

-SOU-

Daniel Glass Clinic

Wednesday, November 30, Southern Oregon University presents a drum clinic by Daniel Glass. The clinic will take place at 7 PM in Room 220 of the Music Building at SOU.

Daniel Glass is one of today's foremost authorities on classic American drumming. Since 1994, he has toured all over the world with the pioneering " retro-swing" group Royal Crown Revue, and recorded and performed with a host of top flight artists like Brian Setzer , Gene Simmons, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli and Mike Ness from Social Distortion. He has been voted one of the top five R&B drummer s in the world two years in a row by the readers of Modern Drummer and DRUM magazines. Daniel is also an award-winning author and clinician. He has written three books, including The Commandments of Early Rhythm and Blues Drumming (with Zoro), and has performed at many prestigious international festivals like PASIC and the 2010 Modern Drummer Festival. Daniel's clinics focus on the evolution of the drum set. Using dazzling chops and high- energy showmanship, Daniel takes audiences on a whirlwind journey that covers seven decades of groove. His goal? To convince you that the best way to play today's grooves - Rock, Pop, Blues, Funk, Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel, etc - is to understand the roots from which they grew. To learn more about Daniel and his obsession with classic American music, please visit: www.DanielGlass.com.