Blog Archive

Tony Baker performs Walker Concerto with UNT Symphony Orchestra

Submitted by Jason Hausback on Mon, 02/16/2009 - 7:32pm

 

On Wednesday, February 11, 2009, UNT trombone professor Tony Baker performed the Concerto for Trombone (1957) by George Walker (b.1922). Baker was accompanied by the University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Clay Couturiaux, Assistant Director of Orchestral Studies. The performance took place at UNT's Winspear Performance Hall, in the Murchison Performing Arts Center.

Tony Baker has been on the faculty at UNT since 2000 and has appeared as a soloist across the United States and in several foreign countries, including the UK, Iceland, France and Finland. To see Tony Baker's complete bio, click here.

Jazz Trombone Legend Curtis Fuller to Appear at UNT

Submitted by cws on Sat, 02/07/2009 - 4:20pm

 

Curtis Fuller will be performing and giving a series of historical presentations as part of this year's Jazz Division Lecture Series. A new wrinkle on the Jazz Lecture Series this time is the partnership with Bass Hall. As part of this new partnership, Curtis will also performa a set at McDavid Studio.

Best known for his stints with John Coltrane and Art Blakey, Curtis Fuller is one of the most important figures in the history of jazz trombone. His presentation here at UNT will be in the CofM Recital Hall.

Date and times:
Tuesday, March 3
a.m. Lecture and afternoon Lecture in the Recital Hall
7:30pm performance at McDavid Studio

Many UNT trombone alumni return for North Texas Jazz Legends Concert

Submitted by Jason Hausback on Wed, 11/19/2008 - 12:20am

 

On Saturday, November 22nd, the University of North Texas Jazz Studies department hosted a benefit and concert honoring the retirement of Neil Slater (1 O'Clock Band and Chair of Jazz Studies), and Jim Riggs (2 O'Clock Band and saxophone). This event took place in the Coliseum on Saturday evening, and featured 4 alumni bands from the 1970's-2000's, along with the current 1 and 2 O'Clock Lab bands. Many of the most well-known trombone alumni from the last 40 years returned to UNT for one of the largest concerts in the history of the UNT Jazz Studies program.

The UNT Jazz Studies program is the oldest of its kind in the US. Founded in 1947, the program has grown to be one of the largest and most successful in the world.

Pictured above from L-R: Greg Cox, Chuck Mandernach, Mike Bogle, Scott Whitfield, Kieth Oshiro, Eddie Clark, John Wasson, Nate Lynch, and Brett Zvacek. Photo courtesy of Chuck Mandernach.

Illinois Brass Quintet gives masterclass and performance at UNT

Submitted by Jason Hausback on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 3:11am

 

The Illinois Brass Quintet gave a masterclass and performance at UNT on Thursday, November 20th. The masterclass was at noon, and the performance was at 5pm; both were held in the Recital Hall.

The IBQ is the faculty quintet in residence at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Founded in 1955, it is also the oldest group of this sort in the world. In the last few years, they have performed around the world, including in Poland, Spain, and at Carnegie Hall. Past and present members have performed in orchestras and chamber groups throughout the US. Current trumpet player Ronald Romm was also a founding member of the Canadian Brass.

Mack Ramsey gives early music clinic for UNT Trombone Studio

Submitted by Jason Hausback on Mon, 10/27/2008 - 11:40pm

 


Mack Ramsey, a professional sackbut player from the Boston area, gave a masterclass on historical performance practice on Wednesday, October 29th at noon in the Concert Hall. In addition to playing bass sackbut with Spiritus Collective in New York, Mr. Ramsey was a founding member of the Boston Shawm and Sackbut Ensemble as well as the New England Waites.

Mr. Ramsey gave a brief summary of the history of brass instruments, and demonstrated styles and techniques through the use of recordings. He also coached a student trombone quartet as well as a group of sackbuts.

UNT has an extensive early music program and owns a collection of alto, tenor and bass sackbuts. It is one of only a few universities in the country that actively uses sackbuts on a regular basis in chamber groups, the Collegium Singers, and the Baroque Orchestra.

UNT Trombone Studio Acquires Contrabass Trombone

Submitted by Jason Hausback on Mon, 10/13/2008 - 9:10pm

 

The UNT College of Music recently approved the purchase of a Thein Contrabass Trombone to be used within the trombone studio for practice and performance. Having a contrabass at school for all to use is of great educational value, as the instrument has been coming more into the mainstream of performance, particularly in the film recording industry. This instrument was hand-made in Germany, and arrived at UNT in May. It will be used in performance for the first time on the November 11th Trombone Choir concert.

Pictured above is the Thein Contrabass, Professor Jan Kagarice, and the 23 bass trombonists currently in the UNT trombone studio.

For more information about Thein brass instruments, visit the website here.

Mark Hetzler Presents Guest Artist Recital at UNT

Submitted by Jason Hausback on Mon, 10/13/2008 - 8:29pm

 

Mark Hetzler, Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Wisconsin-Madison presented a guest artist recital on Saturday, October 18th at 8pm in the College of Music Recital Hall.

Mr. Hetzler has released three solo CDs on the Summit record label and is known for his solo programs which use live electronics, video imagery and photography to create a diverse and multimedia performing environment. In addition to teaching at the University of Wisconsin, Mr. Hetzler is also trombonist with the Empire Brass Quintet and performs regularly with them in venues all over the world. He is also a member of the Wisconsin Brass Quintet.

John Kitzman Presents Masterclass at UNT

Submitted by Jason Hausback on Mon, 09/29/2008 - 12:38am

 

John Kitzman, principal trombonist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, presented a masterclass on September 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the College of Music Orchestra Hall (232). In addition to his own presentation, he coached a variety of orchestral low brass sections and trombone quartets. His presentation was very thorough, lively and engaging.

For more information about Mr. Kitzman's distinguished career, visit his web site here.

Schneller Accepts Sam Houston State University Jazz Position

Submitted by cws on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 1:47pm

 

Aric Schneller has accepted the Director of Jazz Studies position at Sam Houston State University's School of Music in Huntsville, TX. Before accepting this position, Aric directed the jazz program at Idaho State University while continuing his work on the DMA in Trombone Performance at the University of North Texas where he studies with Vern Kagarice, Tony Baker, and Jan Kagarice.

Originally from Missoula, MT, Aric received his MM in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, MM in Vocal Performance from Boston University, and BM from the University of Montana. Aric is a trombone artist clinician for Conn-Selmer, Inc.

Mini-Documentary on New Steve Wiest CD

Submitted by cws on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 12:09pm

 

UNT Jazz Trombone Prof Steve Wiest will be releasing a new jazz quintet project foir Arabeszue Recordings this summer. In anticipation of that event, Phil Bulla (One O'Clock Lab Band recording engineer) put together this mini documentary:

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