The Longwood music department’s spring calendar of events once again provides a unique lineup of performances that will delight music lovers across the heart of Virginia.
Highlights of the music events on tap this spring include a special performance of the Longwood Wind Symphony in celebration of Black History Month and a concert by a Grammy-winning string quartet.
The Longwood Wind Symphony will be joined by local high-school musicians for a concert in celebration of Black History Month on Feb. 27. One of the pieces to be performed is Of Our New Day Begun by Omar Thomas. The composer will visit the Longwood campus that day and then conduct the piece at the concert.
We invite the greater Farmville community to come enjoy all of these inspiring musical performances this semester at Longwood. Our guest artists, faculty and student performers are offering a wide variety of styles in the upcoming months, so there’s something for all kinds of music lovers.
Dr. Lisa Kinzer, chair of Longwood’s music department Tweet This
Based on the hymn “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” the piece was written to honor the victims of the terrorist attack at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015. At the concert, the Wind Symphony will be joined by the bands from Prince Edward County High School and Fuqua School, both of which are directed by Longwood alumni.
“This will be a very dramatic and moving performance. I expect it will be a must-see event for students and music lovers in the area,” said Dr. Gordon Ring, Simpson Distinguished Professor of Music. “We are pleased Mr. Thomas, the composer, will be here to conduct this special piece.”
Among this semester’s other musical highlights is a concert by the Turtle Island String Quartet on Feb. 5. The performance in the Molnar Recital Hall of Wygal Hall is part of the Longwood Chamber Music Series. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performance, which is free and open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m.
The Turtle Island Quartet, winner of the 2006 and 2008 Grammy Awards for Best Classical Crossover Album, fuses the classical quartet aesthetic with contemporary American musical styles. Famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma once lauded the group, formed in 1985, as “a reflection of some of the most creative music-making today.”
The other Chamber Music Series concert performance will be countertenor Darryl Taylor, who will perform at 4 p.m. March 24. Dr. Lisa Kinzer, chair of Longwood’s music department, said she expects both of the spring semester’s Chamber Music Series concerts to be well-received.
“We invite the greater Farmville community to come enjoy all of these inspiring musical performances this semester at Longwood,” Kinzer said. “Our guest artists, faculty and student performers are offering a wide variety of styles in the upcoming months, so there’s something for all kinds of music lovers. Not only is there a lot to enjoy, but concert goers, particularly our students, can learn to appreciate music from diverse cultures.”
In April, the Camerata and Chamber singers will join with the Commonwealth Chorale for two special performances. The concerts will be directed by Dr. Pamela McDermott, director of choral activities, and will feature John Rutter’s Gloria, Mozart’s Regina Coeli, Vivaldi’s Gloria (first movement) and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus as well as the original composition Alleluia by Ring. The performances, set for April 25 and April 28, are free and open to the public.
View the full spring semester calendar of events.
Longwood University Music Department Spring Schedule
- January 31—Degree Recitalists Department Recital, 3:30 p.m.
- February 5—Chamber Music Series: Turtle Island String Quartet, 7:30 p.m.
- February 19—Faculty Concert in celebration of Black History Month, 7:30 p.m.
- February 21—Departmental Recital, 3:30 p.m.
- February 27—Wind Symphony Concert with bands from Fuqua School and Prince Edward County High School featuring guest composer/conductor Omar Thomas, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
- March 13—Faculty Recital: Dr. Roland Karnatz, clarinet; Naima Burrs, violin; and Dr. Lisa Kinzer, piano; 7:30 p.m.
- March 14—Departmental Recital, 3:30 p.m.
- March 16— Senior Recital: Joshua Golub, saxophone, 4 p.m.
- March 17—Faculty Recital: Lisa Burrs, soprano, and Alicia Romeo, guest harpist, 4 p.m.
- March 19— Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
- March 24—Chamber Music Series: Darryl Taylor, countertenor, 4 p.m.
- March 28—Departmental Recital, 3:30 p.m.
- March 28—Chamber Voices Concert, 7:30 p.m.
- March 30—Senior Recital: Ryan Flanagan, piano, and Alyssa Marie Griffith, soprano, 4 p.m.
- March 31—Junior Recital: Samuel Taylor, tenor, and Ellie Swanson, flute, 4 p.m.
- April 4—Department Recital, 3:30 p.m.
- April 13—Senior Recital: Montana Nelson, clarinet, 4 p.m.
- April 16—Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
- April 18—Departmental Recital, 3:30 p.m.
- April 25—Departmental Recital, 3:30 p.m.
- April 25—Camerata and Chamber Singers Concert with Commonwealth Chorale, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
- April 28—Camerata and Chamber Singers Concert with Commonwealth Chorale, 3 p.m. at Farmville United Methodist Church
- April 29—University Choirs Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium
All concerts are held in the Molnar Recital Hall in Wygal Hall unless otherwise stated. Times and concerts are subject to change, so please check www.longwood.edu/music for up-to-date performance information.
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