|
|
| Jan. 13, 2005 | ||
|
|
Music students increase travel in spring Extensive plans for student travel head up the to-do list of the Hayes School of Music for the spring semester. “We have student groups traveling this semester more widely than ever before,” Dean of the School of Music Dr. William G. Harbinson said. In February, the Appalachian State University singers will perform in Los Angeles at the American Choral Directors Association Conference. The Symphony Orchestra will perform with the North Carolina Dance Theatre in Charlotte. In March, the Wind Ensemble will perform in Gainesville, Fla., at the American Band Masters Association Conference. “That has never happened before,” Assistant Dean of the School of Music Dr. Stephen J. Jackson said of the complex and frequent travel plans. "It’s quite an honor and very exciting.” Harbinson was proud of the national recognition that such performances bring to the School of Music. “When we have an opportunity to share music with the nation, it’s an exciting time for the School of Music,” Harbinson said. Apart from such visiting student groups, the spring schedule for the School of Music is filled with both unique and annual programs. The Fletcher/Hayes/White Scholar Recital, planned for Jan. 27, celebrates the performing students of those scholarships and honors the contributions of the benefactors. The U.S. Army Band, Pershing’s Own, performs Feb. 6. “These are collegiate musicians who have gone on to a different level of their career, a different plateau of instrumental music making,” Jackson said. The weekend of March 18-20 features Guitar Fest, a series of programs, competitions and guest performances. Founded and directed by Dr. Douglas G. James, guitar professor at the School of Music, the international festival is renowned for its eclectic range. Harmonia Baroque, re-scheduled for March 22, is a faculty-driven program designed to showcase the music from the 18th century in as authentic a style and presentation as possible. Alicia M. Chapman, adjunct faculty member at the School of Music, organized the program that features guests Evelyn J. Luise on a viola d’amore and Ann Stierli on a viola dagamba. “The purpose is to recreate baroque music on the instruments for which it was written,” Chapman said. All of the instruments, which range from baroque flutes to oboes to violins to harpsichords and more, are exact replicas handmade by master craftsmen. A program called Cornocopia, scheduled for March 24, brings together the French horn studio at the School of Music under the direction of Dr. Karen Robertson. The Collegium Musicum on April 10 is essentially a student-driven version of Harmonia Baroque. The students will perform music from Bach and his contemporaries. The American Music review, planned for April 17, is a contemporary music festival sponsored by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia that combines vocal and instrumental music. Up-and-coming bands MTV hasn't heard of It's hard to find music that breaks away from the cliché sounds of MTV today. Here are some music ideas for those who want to step outside the box and listen to something different. Skindred has a wide array of sounds, ranging from metal to punk to reggae. Originating from the United Kingdom, Skindred is slowly starting to get its name out in the music circuit. They have appeared on MTVU occasionally this past year and toured with big name bands like Sevendust and Nonpoint over the summer. Skindred is made up of Benji Webbe on vocals, Mikeydemus on guitar, Dan Pugsley on bass and Dirty Arya on drums. Skindred has recently released a CD titled "Babylon" with their label Lava Records. They compare themselves as a mix of bands such as Pantera, Bounty Killa, The Police, Sublime and System of a Down, according to their Web site. Skindred is now touring along the West Coast with Papa Roach and are working on making a video for the second single, "Pressure." For a more recognizable sound that doesn't go against the grain but still has great sound and writing, check out Chronic Future. Some may recognize them for their single "Time and Time Again," which was somewhat of a radio hit. They have a rap/rock sound, but incorporate politically charged lyrics. Coming from the Southwest, singer Mike Busse, drummer Barry Collins, guitarist and vocalist Ben Collins and bass player and vocalist Brandon Lee have been touring most recently with Papa Roach, but have also been featured on the very popular Vans Warped Tour. Chronic Future's debut release is titled "Lines In My Face." It was released during this past summer by their label Interscope Records. It features 12 of their songs, including their single. To find out more about Chronic Future, check out their Web site at www.chronicfuture.com. Eighteen Visions is another band that has changed their sound to appeal to more people. The band comes from California and has an edgier, harder sound than most music today. Their most recent album is "Obsession," released this past summer, with their label Trustkill Records. "Obsession" is far from this band's first release, although it's sound strays from their previous albums. Other releases included "Lifeless," which was released in March of last year, "Until the Ink Runs Out in 2000" and "Vanity" in 2002. Vocalist James Hart, guitarist Keith Barney, Bassist Mick Morris and drummer Ken Floyd power the band. Originally, Eighteen Visions had a very hardcore sound and were featured in a dominantly metal scene, but Obsession has proven that they can keep their edge with a softer, more toned down style. The change seemed to have worked, because the band found their way onto MTV2 with their single, "Waiting For The Heavens." The band now has released their second single "Tower of Snakes" and made a video for it, although it hasn't yet proven as popular as "Waiting For the Heavens." To learn more about Eighteen Visions, visit their Web site at www.eighteenvisions.com or to www.trustkillrecords.com and find their link. |
© 2004 ASU Student Publications
