REVIEW: Collage Concert

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U of M’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance celebrated their 40th anniversary at the annual Collage Concert.  Not only that, but they also celebrated the University of Michigan’s Bicentennial and the legacy of Professor Emeritus of Conducting Gustav Meier, who founded Collage in 1977.

The concert started with welcome speeches by Dean and Paul Boylan Collegiate Professor of Music, Aaron P. Dworkin, and Director of University Orchestras, Kenneth Kiesler.  Then tribute was paid to the Bicentennial by performing multiple pieces from the year 1817.

Following the celebration of the Bicentennial, the showcases of the different ensembles, theatre groups, dances, etc. began.  I finally understood why multiple people told me that I had to see this concert.  The talent was phenomenal and it was interesting to see the many different groups within SMTD.  Following the intermission, former Dean & Professor Emeritus, Paul Boylan, honored the legacy of Gustav Meier.  The second half was just as thrilling, if not more, than the first!  Recognizable tunes were played/sung such as “Also Sprach Zarathustra”, “Defying Gravity, and “Let it Go”.

If you ever want to find out what the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance does and what it is made up of, this is the concert to be at!  Definitely one of the best concerts that I’ve been to at the University of Michigan.

PREVIEW: Collage Concert

On Saturday, January 14, 2017, students of U of M’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance will come together for a showcase of some of their best pieces.  The traditional Collage Concert will feature back-to-back performances of musical pieces, dance, theatre, and more!  I was told that this is not a performance to miss!

The Collage Concert will take place in Hill Auditorium at 8pm.  Tickets are $26/$32 for reserved seating and $12 for students with an ID.

REVIEW: Peter and the Starcatcher

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Photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts

Have you ever wondered what life was like for Peter Pan before he actually was Peter Pan?  How the Lost Boys, Tinkerbell, and Neverland came to be?  How Captain Hook lost his hand?  Your questions are bound to be answered in the tale of Peter and the Starcatcher; directed by Gillian Eaton, assistant directed by Martin McGuire, and musically directed by Brian E. Buckner, James Fischer, and Riley Palmer.

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Jeffrey James Fox as Black Stache (photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts)

This lighthearted show swept the audience off their feet and into the adventure-filled life of Molly (Kourtney Bell), a young girl who is on a secret mission with her father (David Newman) to destroy what is called “starstuff”.  On Molly’s ship, The Never Land, she comes across three orphans, one of which is unnamed (Brooks Inciardi), and immediately befriends them.  Pirates, island natives, a crocodile, and mayhem are all prevelant throughout the journey.  The story of Peter Pan magically unfolds before your eyes in this easy-to-love show.

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Kourtney Bell as Molly and Brooks Inciardi as Boy (photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/umichsmtd/?fref=ts)

Shows run in the Power Center on December 8 @ 7:30pm, December 9 & 10 @ 8:00pm, and December 11 @ 2:00pm.  Reserved seating is $22 and $28, and students $12 with an ID.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.music.umich.edu/performances_events/productions/2016-2017/starcatcher.htm

 

PREVIEW: Peter and the Starcatcher

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Want to take a break from the stress of cramming (I mean studying!) for exams?  What better way to relax and unwind than by seeing U of M’s Department of Theatre & Drama’s performance of Peter and the Starcatcher this weekend?  This show, a prequel to the famous story of Peter Pan, will take you on an adventure and help you forget your troubles!  Also, be sure to listen for pre-show music, written by the incredibly talented co-music director and keyboard player James Fischer, playing in the Burton Tower carillon.

Shows run in the Power Center on December 8 @ 7:30pm, December 9 & 10 @ 8:00pm, and December 11 @ 2:00pm.  Reserved seating is $22 and $28, and students $12 with an ID.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.music.umich.edu/performances_events/productions/2016-2017/starcatcher.htm

REVIEW: Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele

Ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro (photo taken from http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/photos/)

On Wednesday night, the University Musical Society (UMS) had ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro at Hill Auditorium.  Shimabukuro wowed the crowd as he strummed so fast that his hands were a blur.  Him and his bass player Nolan Verner played original songs off of his new album titled Nashville Sessions such as “F Minor”, “Celtic Tune”, and “Blue Haiku”.  They also played popular songs such as the Beatles song “Come Together” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.  Shimabukuro took the stage alone as he paid tribute to Leonard Cohen by playing “Hallelujah”.

Bass player Nolan Verner and ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro (taken from http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/photos/)

My friend and I ended up getting the opportunity to meet Jake after the concert and get a picture and autograph.  He was so sweet and extremely down to earth, even thanking us for coming to his concert!  I told him about how I started playing the ukulele a year ago and as I was leaving he said, “Good luck on the uke!”  Definitely an experience that I’ll never forget!

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Upcoming performances through UMS can be found at http://ums.org/season/.

PREVIEW: Jake Shimabukuro, ukulele

This Wednesday, November 16, the University Musical Society is bringing ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro to the University of Michigan!  The concert will take place in Hill Auditorium at 7:30pm.

Photo taken from http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/photos/

Shimabukuro started playing ukulele at the age of four, and now he is doing concerts around the world!  With a four-stringed instrument, he is able to play anything from classical music to popular songs such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.  More information on Jake Shimabukuro can be found at his website: http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/

Photo taken from http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/home/photos/

Tickets are on sale for $16.00-$60.00 (depending on the location of the seats) at http://ums.org/performance/jake-shimabukuro/.