Kent State University Orchestra

Join us this December 10th at 3pm for our last concert of the year! Orchestra and choir join forces once again to offer a glimpse of the richness and spirit of American music through the works of Aaron Copland, Adolphus Hailstork and William Grant Still ♥️💙🤍

Congratulations to the 14 finalists (woodwinds, voice, brass, strings, & percussion!) of the KSU Student Soloist Competition! Hear them compete in the final round of the competition LIVE in recital on Saturday, December 2 from 11am-3pm in Ludwig Recital Hall. At the end of the competition, 1 undergraduate student and 1 graduate student will be selected to solo with the KSU Orchestra in the Spring Semester.

11:00am Undergraduate Round #1:
-Ana Dominguez, viola (graduate student) | JC Bach Concerto for Viola in C Minor
-Darren Moskowitz, marimba | Paul Creston Concertino for Marimba
-Brian Ruppel, clarinet | Busoni Concertino
-Lucas Spencer, voice | "Quanto é bella, Una furtiva lagrima” from Donizetti’s L'elisir D'amore
-Claire Laux, violin | Mendelssohn Violin Concerto

12:25pm Undergraduate Round #2:
-John Alexander, double bass | Dragonetti Concerto
-Tayvis Mayfield, horn | Strauss Horn Concerto No. 1
-Zach Walker, oboe | Strauss Oboe Concerto
-Mia Vela, saxophone | David Maslanka Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra

1:40pm Graduate Round:
-Anna Allman, voice | Mozart "Ma che vi fece, o stelle...Sperai vicino il lido"
-Gabriel McWilliams , snare drum | Askell Mason Konzertstuck for Snare Drum
-Drew Russell, voice | "Ach, wir armen leute” from Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel
-Emma Grace Homoky, oboe | Mozart Oboe Concerto in C
-Michel Drake, saxophone | Debussy Rhapsodie

What a thrilling afternoon on our first concert of the season last Sunday! Shout out to composer Wang Leyou for being present and talking to our audience about his work “Guangdong Rhapsody”, and our director Jacob Schnitzer for a successful first concert by our orchestra!

The Kent State University Orchestra kicks off its subscription
season with a celebration of vivaciousness
in music – Freedom and Dance. From the propulsive the Slavonic rhythms of Dvořák to the groovy setting of Chinese folk songs to the blaze of glory that is Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, this concert is sure to excite! Upholding the KSU University Orchestra’s commitment to bringing world-class talent to Kent, we are excited to host visiting composer Wang Leyou, just days before he is in residence with the Cincinnati Symphony. You are sure to leave this concert with a tapping toe and a smile on your face! 💛💙🎶