Here are some select clippings from the past week showing the variety of hits/mentions identifying musicians and scholars as Eastman School of Music alumni, faculty or students. Note: Some links may have expired.)
Orchestras Welcome Older Musicians
(The Wall Street Journal © 06/22/2014)
New Horizons International Music Association in Tarpon Springs, Fla., is a nonprofit group that helps would-be musicians and orchestras find their footing. Started in 1991 by Roy Ernst, a professor emeritus at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., the association has helped set up 29 New Horizons orchestras around the country, involving roughly 1,100 members. (Subscription required)
In Kodak’s Hometown, Memory and History
(New York Times © 06/24/2014)
Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb, a husband and wife photography team, documented Rochester after Eastman Kodak’s bankruptcy in their new book, “Memory City,” published by Radius Books.
As far as music is concerned, Cab Calloway, Mitch Miller and Chuck Mangione were all born in Rochester, and the Eastman School of Music continues to thrive. In the 19th century, Rochester was also a center for both the abolitionist and women’s rights movements.
Earth, Wind & Fire show range of rhythm
(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle 06/28/2014)
“This is a music-loving city right here,” Bailey said before telling the story of an Eastman School of Music graduate he ran into while getting coffee earlier in the day. That 2014 graduate, jazz saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, walked onto center stage and performed like a veteran jazz musician as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members backed her up.
Pianist Sam Reich–Loving to practice as much as play
(Yellow Springs News 06/26/2014)
Yellow Springs-based pianist Sam Reich is at a place in his life and career where he’s often asked about his plans. Having completed a master’s degree in 2012 from the prestigious Eastman School of Music, where he also earned a bachelor’s in piano performance, Reich says a typical path would involve next pursuing a doctorate, as many of his former classmates are doing. And while he hasn’t ruled out that possibility for himself, he says he’s happy with what he’s doing now — practicing and performing as much as time allows.
He’s also preparing to travel to Greece in early July to perform as part of Ritsos Project ‘14, overseen by a former classmate at Eastman.
Gina Bachauer Piano Competition will name a winner Wednesday
(Salt Lake Tribune 06/24/2014)
The verdict will be rendered by a nine-member jury: Nelita True, professor at the Eastman School of Music and Bachauer jury chairwoman since 2002.
Connections: Jamal Rossi
(WXXI PBS News © 06/25/2014)
In this hour, we sit down with Jamal Rossi, the Dean of the Eastman School of Music. Rossi will talk about his vision for Eastman, and his experience with music.
Tessa Souter steals the show
(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle © 06/25/2014)
In Rochester, we know trumpeter Lew Soloff. An Eastman School of Music grad, he’s been up and down the popular-music planet, from Chuck Mangione to Blood, Sweat & Tears. “I had hair when I was here,” he said, for the benefit of anyone who didn’t recognize him.
Jeff Spevak: Lots to go around at jazz fest
(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle © 06/29/2014)
The fest already makes good use of local talent. The addition of the Squeezers Stage was a big success on that account. Eastman School of Music profs like Bill Dobbins and Harold Danko belong in Hatch Performing Hall.
Eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra to perform at Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
(WHEC-TV © 06/25/2014)
Nikki Rudd has a preview of a performance Wednesday night by a group of young local musicians, the
ECMS Junior Jazz Ensemble to play Festival Friday Night
(WHEC News 10/NBC 06/27/2014)
On Friday night, a handful of local young musicians will take the stage at Jazz Street. Rebecca Fath spoke to members of the Eastman Community Music School Junior Jazz Ensemble about their upcoming show.These middle schoolers in the ECMS Ensemble have been working hard to hone their jazz skills before their concert Friday night at the Jazz Fest.
Jazz Festival Day 8 — Live at the Eastman
(FoxRochester 06/27/2019)
Hannah Welker is live on Jazz Street Friday morning, giving us a look at what’s ahead for Day Eight of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival – including a live performance by pianist Harold Danko. (Also Part 2 and Part 3)
Benefit concert scheduled for the Belle
(Bismarck Tribune © 06/25/2014)
International stars Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello, the Hanson Family and Elizabeth Smith will be putting on a Lawrence Welk-like performance at the Belle Mehus Auditorium on Aug. 2 to help raise funds for Kyle to get the care he needs.
Smith is an emerging soprano based in New York City. She attended Eastman School of Music, where she received the Renee Fleming award and scholarship. She was one of eight singers to represent Eastman in the Conservatory Project at the Kennedy Center in 2012.
Turner joins UGA faculty as director of bands
(Athens Banner-Herald 06/27/2014)
Cynthia Johnston Turner, current director of wind ensembles at Cornell University, has been named new director of bands at the University of Georgia.
In addition to conducting the UGA Wind Ensemble, Turner will oversee the entire UGA band program and serve as head of graduate wind conducting. Turner holds bachelor’s degrees in music and education from Queens University and earned her master’s degree in music education and conducting at the University of Victoria. Her doctoral degree in conducting is from the Eastman School of Music.
Brass week offers tuba full of talent
(Ellsworth Fenceviewer © 06/20/2014)
Brass Week, a celebration of young musical talent, is set for June 22-29 here. For over a decade, world-class musicians from such prestigious organizations as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the National Symphony and the Eastman School of Music have come to Bar Harbor for an intensive educational and performance experience geared toward pre-professional college and high school brass musicians.