Washburn University Department of Music Continues to Offer Free Concerts for the Community Showcasing the Talents of Students and Faculty this Spring

      Topeka, Kan. – The Washburn University department of music will host four more performances in April, each features students and faculty from the department. The concerts are free and open to the public.

Washburn Honors Chamber Music Ensembles Concert

- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., April 17

- Carole Chapel, on the Washburn University campus

             The Washburn University Honors Brass Quintet and the Washburn University Honors Woodwind Quintet, will perform under the direction of Dr. Rebecca Meador, professor of music, Washburn University, and Dr. Bryce Call, assistant professor of music, Washburn University. The Honors Brass Quintet and the Honors Woodwind Quintet are two of the premier student chamber groups housed within the Washburn University department of music. Repertoire for the evening will include a variety of works ranging from the Baroque era to contemporary composers.

Annual “Percussion Picnic”

- 6:30 p.m., April 20

- Outside the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University, on the Washburn University campus

         This annual concert, dubbed "The Percussion Picnic," promises to be a true feast for the senses. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair and join the Washburn University percussion group outdoors on the Washburn University campus for an evening of musical magic.

         The group will feature a variety of different instruments including steel drums, flowerpots, copper pipes, drums and percussion, promising an unforgettable auditory experience for all attendees. Their steel drum band arrangements of Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power and Silk Sonic, in particular, are sure to get the crowd dancing. The audience can also expect exciting pop rock percussion music by Ivan Trevino, flowing versions of music by Phillip Glass and an enthralling performance of "Shui" by Juri Seo for three players striking and dipping bells into water. But the highlight of the concert will undoubtedly be the group's performance of "The Whole Toy Laid Down" by Dave Hollinden. Inspired by an extended daydream about a mechanical wind-up toy, this piece fuses the energy of rock-style drumming with classical performance technique to create music that is both accessible and challenging.

Faculty Brass Quintet Concert

- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., April 25

- White Concert Hall, on the campus of Washburn University

            Washburn University faculty will perform a faculty brass quintet concert. Dr. Bryce Call, assistant professor of music, will be on trumpet, Kelly Misko, adjunct, will be on horn, Andrew Hakenewerth, assistant director of bands and lecturer, will be on trombone, and Joe LeFevre, adjunct, will be on tuba. They will be joined by Dr. Steve Patterson from the Topeka Symphony Orchestra on trumpet. Selections for the evening will include works by Eric Ewazen, Jan Koetsier and Francis Poulenc. Joe LeFevre, principal tuba of the Kansas City Symphony, will be featured on an arrangement of Fats Waller's “Ain't Misbehavin'.”

Duo Confluence, Faculty Recital

- 7:30 – 8:45 p.m., April 28

- White Concert Hall, on the campus of Washburn University

            Dr. Kowoon Lee, adjunct instructor of piano, Washburn University, and her duo partner, flutist Daniel Shineberg, will perform music from the 21st century. The first two pieces in the program were written by two living women composers, Amanda Harberg and Stephanie Boyd. After the intermission, the second half of the concert begins with “Simple Korean Suite No. 1” by Korean composer Han-Ki Kim and ends with a piece called “4 Jewish Pieces” by film composer Christopher Caliendo. This program celebrates multi-cultures and heritages of the Korean pianist and Jewish flutist.

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