Source: Kristin Mortenson, 785-532-3832, kmortens@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009

K-STATE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC OFFERS A VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES IN SEPTEMBER

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's department of music is offering several performances in September for the community to enjoy.

All the events, except where noted, are free and open to the public. They include:

* Soprano Amy Rosine, assistant professor of voice at K-State, will present a solo recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in All Faiths Chapel. Rosine will be performing Mozart's "Exsultate Jubilate" with fellow faculty members Mary Ellen Sutton, professor of organ, on organ; David Littrell, university distinguished professor of music, on cello; and songs by composer Rebecca Clarke for soprano and violin with Cora Cooper, professor of music, on violin.

* At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, in McCain Auditorium, audiences will have the opportunity to hear one of America's finest folk-song duos in collaboration with the K-State Orchestra. Jay Ungar, fiddler, is best known for writing and performing the haunting "Ashokan Farewell" on the soundtrack for Ken Burns' "Civil War" documentary. Ungar will play fiddle and mandolin while singing along with his wife, Molly Mason, who will play guitar and piano. The K-State Orchestra, under the direction of Littrell, will provide the accompaniment and also will perform two orchestral works to open each half of the show. Tickets are available at the McCain Auditorium box office and cost $9 for adults and $5 for students.

* The Student Recital Series will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in All Faiths Chapel. The one-hour concert features various student performers from the vocal, wind, keyboard and string divisions.

* K-State piano faculty Virginia Houser, associate professor, and Slawomir Dobrzanski, assistant professor, will present a piano recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in All Faiths Chapel,

* K-State will offer the Male Vocal Arts Day and, new for the fall, the Female Vocal Arts Day, both Saturday, Sept. 19. K-State's Joshua Oppenheim and Julie Yu-Oppenheim, both co-directors of choral activities, will lead rehearsals and conduct gender-specific groups throughout the day, which also will include performances and master classes with the K-State voice faculty. The high school students will combine with K-State choir students for a free public performance at 6:30 p.m. in McCain Auditorium. Last year, the Male Vocal Arts day brought in 180 men from more than 21 high schools from across Kansas. All rehearsals and master classes also are open to the public.

* Jon Nakamatsu, the 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition gold medalist, will present a lecture demonstration at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, in 204 McCain. He will talk about his life and career and will demonstrate on the music department's newly acquired 7-foot-6-inch Kawai grand piano. Nakamatsu will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in McCain Auditorium as part of the McCain Performance Series. Tickets can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office or by calling 785-532-6428.

* K-State's Anna Marie Wytko, instructor of music, on alto tenor and baritone saxophones; guest artist Joseph Wytko, on soprano and alto saxophones; and guest artist Timothy Lovelace, on piano, will present a program featuring music by Hindemith, Beethoven, Loeillet, and Poulenc at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, in All Faiths Chapel.

More information about the K-State music department's September events is available by calling 785-532-5740.