Shepherd School to Perform Mozart Opera
The Shepherd School of Music continues its celebration of the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth by presenting his comic opera “La Finta Giardiniera” — “The Pretend Gardener” — Nov. 8, 9, 11 and 12 as part of the Leon Wilson Clark Opera Series. An exuberant exploration of the excesses of love, the opera was composed by Mozart when he was only 18 years old. First performed in 1775, “La Finta Giardiniera” demonstrates the development of Mozart’s unique style.
10-18
Easy Listening
A free online introductory course in music appreciation from Rice University offers adults a new way to learn how to listen to music. Titled “Sound Reasoning,” the course comes complete with on-screen audio samples that demonstrate concepts explained in the text and interactive exercises that offer immediate feedback on why a response is correct or incorrect. Designed to be as user-friendly as possible, the course does not require the ability to read music, and the audio samples can be accessed quickly with the click of a mouse.
9-28
Shepherd School Orchestras Season Opener
The Shepherd School of Music orchestras will open their 2006-07 seasons with a weekend of performances of great composers from the Romantic, Impressionistic and Modern periods. The Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra will open its season Oct. 6 and 7 with works by Berlioz, Ravel and Shostakovich. The Chamber Orchestra opens its season Oct. 8 with performances of Hindemith, Debussy and Schubert.
9-26
Shepherd School of Music Orchestral Seminars
Discussion on the status of current orchestras in America. Panelists have served on numerous orchestra committees and will discuss topics such as peer review, contract negotiations, long range planning, artistic advisory duties, and conductor searches. Screening of the movie Music From the Inside Out, produced by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Dialogue about the networks that connect, support, inform, and govern the American symphony orchestra musician.
8-14
Shepherd Program Exposes Students to Music
Summers fly, winters walk. It’s an adage familiar to kids everywhere. But this summer, thousands of schoolchildren across Houston might be appreciating the rhythm of the year with a musician’s ear — summers are “presto,” winters are “andante” — thanks to a program presented by several faculty from the Shepherd School of Music in collaboration with the Houston Independent School District (HISD).
5-17
Shepherd School's Roux Honored with Chance Prize
The Shepherd School of Music’s Robert Roux is the 2006 recipient of the Julia Mile Chance Prize for Excellence in Teaching, which is given annually to an associate professor or a full professor who provides students with an intellectual challenge and inspiration in a field of study, shows extraordinary dedication to students’ professional development and enhances gender-sensitive leadership on campus.
5-10
Kailas Quartet Takes Silver at Fischoff
The Senior String Division Silver Medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association Competition ($2,000) went to the Kailas String Quartet from Rice University, Shepherd School of Music, Houston, Texas. Members included Jory Fankuchen, violin; Stephanie Fong, violin; John T. Posadas, viola; and Emmanuelle Beauliev Bergeron, cello.
4-23
Shepherd School Students Perform at Kennedy Center
For the third consecutive year, the Shepherd School of Music has been invited to participate in the Kennedy Center’s Conservatory Project, a program designed to introduce audiences to the top young musical artists in classical music, jazz, musical theater and opera from the nation’s leading undergraduate and graduate conservatories, colleges and universities.
4-13
30th Anniversary Celebration Raises 2.2M for Endowed Scholarships
World-renowned violinist, Itzhak Perlman, joined The Shepherd School of Music as it marked 30 years with a gala concert and dinner on February 4, 2006 at the music school’s Alice Pratt Brown Hall at Rice University. The presence of the internationally-acclaimed performer, together with the outpouring of support from the Shepherd School’s friends and supporters, resulted in one of the most extraordinarily successful and memorable nights in the history of the school.
3-30
Symposium to Examine Opera and Film
Filmmakers have long been attracted to opera, and movie audiences see it on the silver screen in myriad ways — as the main event, such as “Tosca,” to a backdrop for the story, as in the Marx Brother’s “A Night at the Opera,” or a culmination to the narrative, as in “The Godfather III.”
3-24
Shepherd School Presents 'La Calisto'
As one of the most influential opera composers of the mid-17th century, Cavalli was a master of composing for the emerging genre of “public opera.” He wrote “La Calista” at a time when opera was moving from a diversion for kings to popular entertainment. The fast-paced satire is replete with risqué scenes, cross-dressing and a mixture of comic and serious characters and set the amorous escapades to unusually sensual music.
3-20
Children's Day at Rice Art Gallery: Fun With Drums!
On the gallery plaza, participants decorated a drum, watched Rice University percussion students perform, took a drum lesson with the Percussion Center staff, participate in a drum circle, and enjoyed other performances. Complimentary drinks and snacks, including make-your-own trail mix were provided. All activities took place in Rice Gallery, the foyer, and plaza. The event was free and open to the public.
3-9
Complete Music for Cello and Piano of Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin Released on Bridge Label
Born 19 months and 357 miles apart, Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt became the two pianistic giants of the 19th century and together changed the future of piano playing. This recording features the superb Fischer Duo in performances of all three of Chopin’s works for cello and piano, as well as the four cello and piano duos by Liszt, composed during the last twelve years of his life
2-23
Shepherd School composer celebrates ‘The Birth of Something’
For months, Anthony Brandt has been like an expectant father, preparing, anticipating and worrying as the big day approaches. Finally, it’s time. Tomorrow night, the Rice University associate professor of composition will welcome to the world his new “baby,” the chamber opera “The Birth of Something.”
2-16
Shepherd School Orchestras, Choral Groups Hold Spring Concerts Rice University’s Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra, Shepherd Singers and Rice Chorale will present five concerts this spring, featuring varying genres of music.
1-24
Stallmann Receives Fromm Commission
Shepherd School of Music composer Kurt Stallmann has been named one of 14 national recipients of a $10,000 Fromm commission, one of the most highly sought honors in contemporary composition.
