SU Spring Music Festival Celebrates 'The Magic of Music' May 4-10

SALISBURY, MD---From the wizardry of Harry Potter to the mysterious knight in Wagner’s Lohengrin, Salisbury University’s music ensembles and the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra explore “The Magic of Music” during their annual spring music festival May 4-10 in Holloway Hall Auditorium.

The SU Chorale and Salisbury Chorale join with the Oratorio Orchestra to present Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s masterwork Elijah 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4. Conducted by Dr. William Folger, director of choral studies at SU, Elijah follows stories from the Old Testament, culminating with the prophet’s bodily assumption into Heaven on a fiery chariot.

The concert features some 89 singers and 38 instrumentalists. Sachi Murasugi is concertmistress. Lee Knier is brass, woodwind and percussion coordinator. Guest soloists include baritone Reginald Pindell as Elijah, mezzo-soprano Cristy Lynn Brown as Angel and Queen Jezebel, and tenor John Wesley Wright as Obadiah.

Admission is $10 at the door. This program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council, awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

From Elijah’s fiery chariot to Frank Sinatra’s private jet, the SU Jazz Brazz Big Band, conducted by Dr. Jerry Tabor, presents classic Ol’ Blue Eyes and more during its semi-annual concert 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6. Soloist Laurel Noone sings Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me” and the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s “Jumpin’ East of Java,” along with the classic “How High the Moon.”

Other selections include an up-tempo Latin version of Horace Silver’s “Nica’s Dream,” the classic funk tune “Pick Up the Pieces,” Sinatra’s “Summer Wind” and the Rodgers and Hammerstein ballad “If I Loved You,” featuring Knier on trombone. Featured saxophone soloist for the evening is Bryan Thom. Admission is free.

The SU Concert Band, conducted by Knier, continues the magical theme 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, with “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Lohengrin. The 19th century romantic opera features the mysterious Guardian of Brabant, accused of being a magician in medieval Germany.

Other pieces include “Suite from Carmen,” “Reflective Mood” with trombone soloist Michael Devine, “The Klaxon March,” “Liberty Bell March” and “Concertino for Flute” with soloist Jessica Morgan. Charlie Chaplin Band Portrait is comprised of a quartet of songs written by the famed silent comedian for his films, while In the Miller Mood is a medley of seven of influential bandleader Glenn Miller’s most famous arrangements, including “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade” and “Little Brown Jug.” Admission is free.

The music festival culminates with the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra (SSO)’s performance of John Williams music suggesting two of this year’s most anticipated—and magical—films: “Raiders March” (from the Indiana Jones series) and “Harry Potter Suite” (from the Harry Potter series). The orchestra’s annual Spring Concert is 8 p.m. Saturday, May 10.

Conducted by Dr. Jeffrey Schoyen, other highlights include the premiere of Russell Podgorsek’s work “Micro-Symphony,” a piece commissioned especially for the SSO, and Elgar’s “Cello Concerto,” with guest soloist Allen Nisbet, faculty at Loyola University in Louisiana and a member of the Loyola Piano Trio. The Mexican rhythms and themes of Moncayo’s “Huapango” round out the SSO’s Spring Concert.

Admission is $20, $15 for seniors, $5 for children 12 and under, and SU faculty and staff. For tickets visit bookstore.salisbury.edu and click on “Box Office.” For information call 410-548-5587.
Prior to the concert, the SSO and Restaurant 213 in Fruitland partner for “A Magical Evening,” beginning with a pre-concert four-course dinner. Guests will be shuttled to the restaurant from the Alumni House at SU at 4:45 p.m. The shuttle returns to SU at 7:15 p.m., where they will have reserved seating for the 8 p.m. concert.

Cost for the dinner and concert is $50 per person (not including alcohol and gratuity). For those already holding concert tickets, dinner is $30. Space is limited and reservations are required. For reservations call 410-677-4880.

The chorale, jazz and band concerts are sponsored by the Department of Music. For more information call 410-543-6385 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.