An inaugural orchestra concert, a Jewish Music series and a Halloween organ recital are among the special events coming up at the Department of Music's fall season, which includes 26 concerts in Schroeder Hall, 9 concerts in Weill Hall, 8 Jazz Forum guests and several public master classes.
The appointment of Dr. Alexander Kahn as associate professor of music brings to fruition a longstanding goal to bring a symphony orchestra to the university. The orchestra’s inaugural concert on December 11 at 7:30 pm in Weill Hall includes music by Beethoven, Mozart and Corigliano and features piano soloist Marilyn Thompson. Community musicians interested in playing with the orchestra can contact Kahn at kahnale@sonoma.edu to schedule an audition.
The university’s Jewish Studies program joins the music department in presenting a free concert series that reflects the broad spectrum of the Jewish musical experience. The 6:30 pm concerts on selected Thursdays are open to the public in Schroeder Hall.
“Phantoms and Fugues,” designed to entertain the young-at-heart of all ages, is a family-themed Halloween event that combines a showing of the feature film It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with musical selections performed by organist David Parsons. The October 31 event takes place at 6:30 pm in Schroeder Hall.
Headlining Jazz Week will be saxophonist Noel Jewkes, one of the Bay Area’s top reedmen. Jewkes performs as soloist with the Jazz Orchestra at 7:30 pm October 14 in Weill and, with his quartet, at the 1 pm Jazz Forum in GMC 1029.
Chamber music recitals in Schroeder include guitarist Mak Grgic (October 2); Trio Navarro (October 4); woodwind and brass quintets from SSU and Louisiana State University (October 30); and the Manhattan Trio with cellist Sæunn Thorrsteinsdottir (November 4).
On November 20 Jenny Bent leads the university choral ensembles and invited guest choirs in the Family Candlelight Concert at 7:30 pm in Weill Hall. The annual event raises food donations for the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
Jazz Forum
Wednesdays at 1, GMC 1029. Seating is limited. For updates, call 664-2324.
Sep 23: Faculty Jazz Ensemble
Sep 30: Dan Wilensky
Oct 7: Dmitri Matheny
Oct 14: Noel Jewkes Quartet
Oct 28: Blue Note Ensemble with Rob Roth, clinician
Nov 4: ECM Ensemble with Anton Schwartz, clinician
High School Festivals
As a fully invested partner in music education, the Department of Music hosts high school music festivals throughout the year. Music faculty members are in demand as conductors, performers and clinicians.
- October 15—Fourth annual Jazz Day, Weill Hall
- November 6—14th annual High School Choral Festival, Schroeder Hall