Source: Kristin Mortenson, 785-532-5740, kmortens@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Friday, Jan. 15, 2010

SEVERAL K-STATE MUSIC PERFORMANCES IN JANUARY HELP KICK OFF THE SPRING SEMESTER

MANHATTAN -- The last weeks of January offer several Kansas State University music performances for the community to enjoy.

All events are free and open to the public.

* The 37th annual String Fling kicks off the spring semester. Performances are at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, in McCain Auditorium. Coordinated by David Littrell, university distinguished professor of cello, String Fling features nearly 600 violin, viola, cello and bass students in grades 5-9 from throughout Kansas.

* An "Evening of Vocal Music," at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, in All Faiths Chapel, will feature Amy Rosine, K-State assistant professor of music, and guest artists Rebecca Folsom, Boston Conservatory; Tod Fitzpatrick, University of Nevada-Las Vegas; K-State alumnus J.R. Fralick, Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory; and pianist Tracey Johnson, William-Jewell College. The program will include "Chansons des bois d'Amaranthe"by Jules Massenet, "Minnispiel" by Robert Schumann, "Three Rossetti Songs" by Ian Coleman, "Chats populaires" by Ravel, and opera duets by Mozart and Bizet.

* From Jan. 22-24, K-State will host the K-State Concert Band Clinic, which has grown to include more than 600 students from throughout the Midwest. All participants experience educational and musical instruction from nationally acclaimed guest clinicians including: Gary Gilroy, Fresno State University; Louis Manchaca, Concordia College; Erica Neidlinger, DePaul University; Jeff Hinton, Northwest Mississippi State University; Jay Gilbert, Doane College; and Scott Lubaroff, University of Central Missouri. The three-day event includes six large ensembles, percussion ensembles, sectional rehearsals and master classes with K-State department of music studio faculty. The clinic culminates in a performance at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, at McCain Auditorium.

* A recital by Tod Kerstetter, K-State associate professor of clarinet, and pianist William Wingfield will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in All Faiths Chapel. The program will include 18th-century compositions for clarinet and piano by German composer Norbert Burgmuller and Danish composer Niels Gade. Kerstetter was a member of a recent commissioning consortium for a new work for clarinet and piano by prominent American composer David Maslanka; as a result this recital will also include one of the first performances of this new work, "Eternal Garden." Kerstetter also will perform works by the French composer Darius Milhaud and Hungarian composer Bela Kovacs.

More information about the K-State music department's January events is available by calling 785-532-3800.