This Week @ AU

Clarinetist David Odom and pianist Jeremy Samolesky will perform “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Blue” on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Recital Hall. The “something new” is one of a series of worldwide premieres of David Maslanka’s “Eternal Garden: Four Songs for Clarinet and Piano.” Odom was part of a consortium of performers and educators that commissioned the piece, resulting in a major new work for the repertoire.

Also on the program is Weber’s “Grand Duo Concertant,” a tour de force of the genre for over a century, representing “something old.” The “something borrowed and blue” is an arrangement of Gershwin’s highly stylized “Piano Preludes,” originally for solo piano.

Odom and Samolesky are members of the Auburn University Department of Music faculty. The department hosts a wide variety of concerts, recitals, lectures and other events throughout the year both on and off campus.

More information on this event can be found here.  Information on all events can be found on the department’s homepage.This event is free and open to the public.

The annual Auburn University Fall Choral Concert will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Auburn United Methodist Church, located at 220 E. Magnolia Ave. The concert will feature performances by the Auburn University Chamber Choir, Women's Chorus, Men's Chorus and Concert Choir. Selected works by Orazio Vecchi, Johannes Brahms, Eric Whitacre, Peter Wilhousky, Rosephanye Powell and other composers will be performed. This concert is free and open to the public.

The Auburn University Chamber Winds and Percussion will perform in an evening of music for small ensembles tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Opelika. The concert is presented by the Auburn University Department of Music and the Auburn University Bands.

Musical selections will span almost 400 years and feature instrumentation from as few as three musicians to as many as 35 musicians in the final selection. Featured composers include Modest Mussorgsky, Maurice Ravel, Gordon Jacob and Alfred Reed.

The Auburn University Chamber Winds and Percussion are a select group from the Symphonic Band conducted by the director of bands, Rick Good.

The group will also present a concert on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Opelika.  All concerts are free and open to the public.

"An Evening of Elegance" will occur on Friday, Oct. 9, in the Auburn University Student Center ballroom as the Yellow Roses of the Omicron Kappa chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will compete for the title of Miss Black and Gold. The ladies competing in the Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant will be judged on a 10-minute private interview, swimwear, talent, evening gown and oral expression. The winner of the pageant will have the opportunity to compete in the District Miss Black and Gold Pageant held later in the month. The pageant will begin at 7 p.m., and admission is $2 with a can good and $3 without one.

Check out the Auburn Welcome Week Web site at http://www.auburn.edu/welcomeweek for a schedule of all the events and activities that will be taking place this week. Don’t miss events like the outdoor movie “I Love You, Man,” Trivia Night, Popsicles with President Gogue, Auburn University Idol and more. A block party on Cater Lawn on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. gives all students the opportunity to meet new people and have fun during the chaos of starting a new semester. Students can also find out more about and possibly join block party sponsors: University Program Council (UPC), Student Alumni Association (SAA), the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Auburn Ignited and the Freshman Year Experience Office. Look forward to free food like popcorn, cotton candy and funnel cakes, and the Ryan Kinder Band will be on hand for live entertainment.

Students from the Auburn University choirs will perform at New York's Carnegie Hall on Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. They will collaborate with several other college, high school and church choirs from around the country, accompanied by a resident orchestra to perform a 40-minute concert which includes two works by Joseph Haydn: Te Deum and Kleine Orgelmesse (also referred to as "Little Organ Mass" and Missa Brevis St. Joannis de Deo). They will be conducted by Auburn music professor William Powell, who also serves as director of choral activities. Greg Zielke of Grace University will also conduct during the concert. For ticket information, visit http://www.midamerica-music.com/carnegie/carnegie_ticket.htm.

UPC's songwriting contest will be held Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in 2222/2223 Student Center. Come hear your fellow classmates compete to win prizes. UPC presents Ben Harper and the Relentless Seven with opener Citizen Cope on the last day of classes, Wednesday, April 29. The concert will be held at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum and doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m. Come get your tickets now between the Student Center and Haley Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets are available until the day of the show. For more information about either event, visit www.auburn.edu/upc.

Do you like to laugh? The University Program Council presents comedians Tim and Eric from Adult Swim with special guest Dan Mintz tonight in the Student Activities Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available on the Haley concourse from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. beside the Coca-Cola truck. UPC is also presenting a songwriting contest Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in Student Center 2222/2223. Applications are available now and are due Wednesday, April 22, by 4 p.m. to Student Center 3130. Participants will be competing for cash prizes: 1st place $150, 2nd place $100, and 3rd place $50.

Jeremy Samolesky, assistant professor of piano, will present a solo piano recital tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Goodwin Recital Hall. The program will feature the music of Chopin and Prokofiev, including Prokofiev's monumental and barbaric 6th Sonata of 1943, composed in Russia at the height of World War II. The event is free and open to the public.

The Auburn Asian Association and the International Student Organization will be co-hosting Iris Leu Friday, April 24, from 4-6 p.m. at the Student Center Starbucks. Come join us for social hour, light refreshments, coffee and the relaxing music of Iris Leu of Dallas, TX. Leu has released two studio albums: “Permanent Transient” and “Hushaboo” and has performed around the country. For more information, e-mail vusteph@auburn.edu.

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art will show the acclaimed film, "A Man Named Pearl," at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14. Producer and director Scott Galloway then will engage the audience in a discussion about his movie, which tells the inspiring story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar, whose unlikely journey to national prominence began with a bigoted remark. In 1976, while living in an all-white neighborhood, his family was told they were unwelcome. His motivation arose from a neighbor's comment: "Blacks can't keep up their yards." Provoked, he created a three-acre wonderland that draws visitors from around the world and generates much-needed tourism for Lee County, the poorest county in South Carolina. This is the last film presentation in the museum's Southern Arts Federation's Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. The Museum Café also is offering dinner from 6-7:30 p.m. before the movie. Reservations are required by calling 844-1484. Visit the museum Web site at http://www.jcsm.auburn.edu/ for more information.

The Acting Company and Guthrie Theater's co-production and national tour of "Henry V" is coming to the Telfair Peet Theatre at Auburn University on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. for one performance only. Shakespeare's bold saga follows the charismatic warrior King Henry V and his band of men through the brutality of war as they confront heavy opposition and face their own destinies in an aggressive pursuit for the French crown. Each act is introduced by a chorus that sets the scene for the action to follow. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 844-4154.

The University Program Council and the Auburn Latino Association of Students present "Salsa Magic and Fiesta Latina" Thursday, April 16, in Foy Hall ballroom. Doors open at 6 p.m. with entertainers “Salsa Magic” performing from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Come join us for great music, dance lessons and themed food. This event is free for students and $5 for the general public. Tickets are available in Student Center 3149. For more information, call 844-4788.

The Auburn Gay-Straight Alliance is excited to announce their first drag show at Auburn.  “What a Drag” will take place Saturday, April 18, from 6-10 p.m. in Student Center 2222 and 2223. The event will also honor those AGSA members who excel throughout the year and strive to promote what AGSA stands for: diversity.  In addition, proceeds from this event will benefit Equality Alabama, a civil rights organization, as the event is dedicated in memory of Ken Baker, who contributed so much to his community, Equality Alabama and many other organizations. So come out, bring friends and be ready to have a fun-filled, dragtastic evening.

The Auburn University Community Orchestra and Howard Goldstein, music director, will present a free concert at Kiesel Park Sunday, April 19, at 4 p.m. Short works by Strauss, Dvorak, Gounod, Wagner and Richard Rodgers will be presented. For more information, call 844-3167.

Students with Disabilities and UPC are co-sponsoring a motivational speaker this week. On Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. in the Student Act, David Denniston, 1999 NCAA National Champion for Auburn swimming, will address students and emphasize the message of "mind over body.” In 2005, Dave had a sledding accident that left him paralyzed. After his accident, he began traveling across the country using his paralysis to motivate others. Dave emphasizes the message that having a positive outlook on life is the way to live. The event is free to everyone. Also on Tuesday, March 31, UPC will be holding its very first tie-dye workshop on Cater Lawn from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. while supplies last. Come tie-dye a shirt provided by UPC or bring something of your own. Also, the much anticipated Spring Tiger Nights will take place this Friday, April 3, from 7 p.m. until midnight in the Student Center. Come enjoy inflatables, food and fun while trying your luck at poker and other casino games at Tiger Nights, "High Rollin' on the Plains.” The event is free for students with their Tigercard, and $5 for the general public.

Auburn University's Department of Theatre will present "The America Play," by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, April 1-5 in the Telfair Peet Theatre. Show times are 7:30 p.m. April 1-4, and 2:30 p.m. on April 5. The Thursday, April 2, performance will be preceded by a panel discussion titled "'He Hoped He'd Be of Interest to Posterity: Defining Greatness in American History" at 6 p.m. in the Theatre Upstairs, and followed by a post-show discussion with actors and other members of the creative team in the Telfair Peet Theatre. The Auburn production of "The America Play" features A.K. Murtadha, a guest artist from Los Angeles in the role of the Foundling Father. Murtadha has numerous stage, television and film credits to his name, including a Best Actor award from the Big Easy Shorts Festival for his role in the short film "In the Wind." For more information about the production, contact Director Heather May at 844-6614 or hemay@auburn.edu, or download the podcast series of interviews with members of the creative and production team, found under the College of Liberal Arts at http://itunes.auburn.edu/.

The Auburn Chamber Music Society will be presenting its third and final concert of the 2008-09 season Wednesday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Goodwin Recital Hall. The Parker String Quartet will perform Terry Riley's "Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collectors"; Anton Webern's
"Langsamer Satz"; Antonin Dvorak's String Quartet #12 in F Major, Op. 96, "American"; and Johannes Brahms' Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34. The quartet will be joined by pianist Soyeon Lee for the Brahms piano quintet. Tickets are $20 and $5 for students with ID. For more information, please contact Craig E. Bertolet, Co-President of the Auburn Chamber Music Society at bertocr@auburn.edu.

Classical guitarist Richard Todd will perform at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art on Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, $10 for nonmembers and $5 for members. The event is cosponsored with the Chattahoochee Valley Guitar Society. Todd, who performs throughout the United States and abroad, has been a featured artist for National Public Radio affiliates and has made television appearances in Italy. He is a native of Nashville, Tenn., and teaches at Tennessee State University where he serves as director of the classical guitar seminar. He has earned multiple awards throughout his career, including first place in both the Music Teachers' National Association Competition and the National Federation of Music Clubs Competition. He completed his doctorate degree in musical arts at the University of North Texas. For more information, contact Colleen Bourdeau at cbourdeau@auburn.edu or 844-7075.

The Auburn University annual Spring Choral Concert will take place Sunday, March 29, at 2:30 p.m. at Auburn United Methodist Church. The concert features performances by the Women's Chorus, Men's Chorus, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. Song selections include "Now is the Month of Maying" and "April is in My Mistress' Face" by Thomas Morley, "Ching-A-Ring Chaw" (traditional American song), "Bogoroditse Devo" by Sergei Rachmoninoff, and others. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Tasman String Quartet will perform with Auburn University Department of Music faculty in a collaborative concert at 7:30 p.m. today in the Goodwin Music Building recital hall. The concert is free and open to the public. Since Feb. 15, the Tasman String Quartet has been on campus as part of a month-long residency in the College of Liberal Arts' Department of Music. The New Zealand-based group has been traveling through Alabama, performing for communities, giving workshops at schools and playing for undergraduate music, art and English classes at Auburn. Tonight's concert is the quartet's final performance at Auburn. For more information, visit http://www.auburn.edu/cah or call 844-4946.