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.
There is something undeniably electrifying about being in the same room as someone who is completely herself. It is the common denominator of every world-changer throughout history, such as the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whom pianist and speaker Jade Simmons honored this weekend with her tribute concert titled “The Art of Impact.”
A classical pianist since the ripe old age of 8 years old, Jade has since additionally become a highly sought-after speaker, activist, author, and performance artist, as she gradually realized that her God-given purpose was not just to play the piano.
Through storytelling and music, Jade Simmons illustrated how she came to understand her purpose of empowering others by coming back to the the things that came most naturally to her. She established her classical chops as she performed Rachmaninov, Beethoven, and Chopin, but also demonstrated her affinity for rhythm and rap through her own unique arrangements for piano and electronics.
In the middle of the show, Mrs. Simmons started talking about the responsibility all artists and educators (both amateur and professional) have to share the spotlight with others. She made some excellent points, but honestly, I don’t remember much of what she said on this matter, because before I knew it she had called the name of my classmate, jazz piano major Brendon Davis, to join her onstage, followed by my name…
Brendon and I had met Jade Simmons after a career talk she gave to SMTD students a few days before this performance, but she managed to remember our names, instruments, and promise to attend her concert. We had no idea she would call us out during the performance, but soon we were improvising at the piano altogether. She played an atmospheric, chromatic figure in the middle register, while Brendon took the bass and I took the treble range. I couldn’t tell you what we played. All I remember is feeling my heart pounding with excitement, feeling slightly concerned that I might fall off the crowded bench, and loving every note that cascaded from the three of us working selflessly together––not trying to impress anyone, only making the music that we loved together. It was powerful. I will remember that moment for a very, very long time.
The sole unifying factor behind the classical repertoire, improvisation, electronic music, and rap that made up this concert adventure was Jade Simmons. She was, at all times, her complete self. Certain types of music might not have appealed to everyone in the room, but no one could deny the excellence and authenticity behind every aspect of her performance. That’s what was so inspiring. People left Stamps Auditorium feeling like they, too, could accomplish their dreams by being their complete selves.
The evening ended with a Q&A session between Jade Simmons and Dean Dworkin, in which she shared her philosophies of the artist’s role in society and opened up about the failures she experienced in her life which propelled her to the place she is today. Now, she says, whenever she experiences failure, she becomes excited about what better opportunity will rise to take its place.
SMTD Composition and Violin Performance double major Stuart Carlson joined Jade Simmons for the final piece, which was his own arrangement of “Amazing Grace” for violin and piano. Stuart’s stunning, gentle tone sparkled alongside Jade’s improvised embellishments to the arrangement, which Stuart had encouraged her to add. The result was the sound of two people collaborating selflessly, sharing themselves with a touched audience. “How sweet the sound,” indeed!
Surprise collaborators! From left to right: Karalyn Schubring, Jade Simmons, and Brendon Davis.Jade Simmons and Stuart Carlson.
The School of Music, Theater, and Dance is extremely fortunate to host powerhouse speaker and pianist Jade Simmons this weekend for a special MLK tribute event. It won’t just be a concert, it will be an EXPERIENCE!
SMTD had this to say about the event:
“SMTD is proud to host Jade Simmons, a classical pianist who has taken her career outside the borders of classical music. Through her exciting musical keynote, she will inspire artists to unleash purpose beyond the stage. Jade will be joined by SMTD violin and composition student, Stuart Carlson. Stuart was one of 5 winners of the 2016 VSA International Young Soloists Competition. He will be performing his arrangement of Amazing Grace, accompanied by Jade Simmons.”
Jade Simmons gave a talk to Music students earlier this week, and I was completely blown away by her passion, presence, and perspective as she explained how every individual possesses the ability to unlock his/her unique purpose. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say through music!
The performance will be Sunday, January 15th, from 4-6:30pm in Stamps Auditorium, which is located in the Walgreen Drama Center.
Tickets are FREE but must be reserved online here. Don’t miss this exciting performance!!
Although the UMMA houses many intriguing exhibits, the Japanese Prints of Kabuki Theater has become a favorite for visitors of the museum. The art of kabuki theater, which is a classical form of Japanese drama that dates as far back as the 17th century, has been captured by colorful woodblock prints for the public to view. The exhibit currently showcases a collection of these prints, including those made by admired print-artists such as Utagawa Toyokuni and Toyohara Kunichika.
When I first stepped into the exhibit, I was greeted by oriental music and a large wall colored in blue, with text that described the art of kabuki theater. After reading the text, I make my way around the room—it was spacious, with clean white walls that had splashes of color from prints. These depictions of theater showcased famous actors and actresses in scenes from actual plays, as well as fictional ones. Some of the scenes included actors in disguise from enemies, lovers who were reunited, and battle scenes.
Photo courtesy of the UMMAPhoto courtesy of the UMMA
Among the collection of prints was a showcase for a bright red kimono with gold embroidery in the shape of various animals. This kimono was iconic for a specific kabuki actress, who was rarely seen wearing kimonos of other colors.
Next to the kimono was a TV that played a video recording of a kabuki theater performance from the late 1900s, a visual that seemed to bring the prints to life.
Overall, visiting the exhibit was a wonderful experience. I was enlightened of an aspect of Japanese culture that I did not know existed. Don’t miss the chance to view the exhibit for yourself—it will be at the UMMA until the 29th of this month, from 11AM – 5PM on Tuesdays through Saturdays, 12PM – 5PM on Sundays!
Interested in the movie that just won a record-breaking seven Golden Globes? Want to be able to make casual dinner conversation for the next year? Just want to see Ryan Gosling sing and dance a bit? Well, come on down to the Michigan Theater to watch La La Land, the most critically acclaimed film of the year. The movie will definitely be showing at the Michigan Theater for the rest of next week and likely several weeks after that, if you can’t make it this week. Student tickets are $8.
The only way to go to an open mic is to go open-minded. What I immediately liked about the Ark was that it had a much more open atmosphere than more traditional open mic venues like coffee shops.
Bradley playing “Strange”
The emcee for the night drew 15 names out of a star-covered bucket and the first performer, Bradley, came to the stage. Dressed like any other run-of-the-mill Ann Arbor hipster, he explained that he hadn’t expected to play. Then he belted out two incredibly well-crafted songs on guitar, harmonica, and piano that sounded polished enough to be heard on the radio.
Not everyone who came to the stage was polished, but they didn’t have to be. A guitarist named Max belted out his original “Snow in July” that sounded great as a raw, unfinished sound.
One of the pairs of the night, Remington Taylor, performed using only the piano as an accompaniment to their voices, and they were magnetic. Their songs of heartbreak and romance was in the vein of Once and Begin Again, but without an acoustic guitar.
Which brings me to the caveat about this event: come expecting to hear a lot of acoustic guitar and heartbreaking ballads. One song was title “Heart Shattered Like My Bones”–about a boy of course. The girl who announced did so with a “haha it’s dramatic I know I didn’t really mean it–but seriously that’s how I felt” vibe.
Even though each performer only had eight minutes, seeing and hearing acoustic pieces again and again started to sound a bit repetitive.
Then a young strapping lad named Kellen Marceau took the stage and sang his original pieces “Your Boyfriend” and “What if We Broke Up and Zombies Came.” Think Zooey Deschanel writing a break up song except weirder–and funnier.
Overall, open stage is not a bad way to spend your night, especially when it’s raining outside and the cost of admission is only $2. If you’re going though, I recommend that you don’t play acoustic guitar.
