Music students and professionals in the spotlight this spring

For the second year in a row, University of North Georgia (UNG) students will perform with a full orchestra or ensemble as part of the Department of Music's spring 2020 concert series.

Kevin Flanagan will play the tuba with the wind ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Riverside Military Academy. Lauren Brack will play the euphonium and vocalist Danni Ingram will sing with the orchestra. A time, date and place have yet to be determined.

The trio earned this performance honor by winning UNG's concerto competition in November 2019. Dr. Benjamin Schoening, department head and associate professor of music at UNG, explained the contest is unique because it is not limited to music majors.

"This is open to all students as long as their repertoire is suitable for the ensembles that we have on our campuses," he said.

Students in the musical ensembles on UNG's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses will showcase their talents in the annual collage concert at 3:30 p.m. April 26. Groups from the Dahlonega are wind ensemble, sinfonietta, percussion ensemble, musical theatre ensemble, Nighthawk Drum Line, percussion ensemble, jazz band, low brass collective, jazz combo and piano ensemble. On the Gainesville Campus are symphonic band, chamber orchestra, percussion ensemble, jazz band, brass choir, and piano ensemble.

"This is one of the few opportunities during the year that many of the ensembles get to perform together," Schoening said.

For the first time, the collage concert will be in UNG's Convocation Center on the Dahlonega Campus. Previously, it was in Memorial Hall.

The venue is not the only change. Schoening said a theme usually accompanies the show but not this year.

"We are transitioning it into a more general annual 'Pops' concert," Schoening said. "The pops theme allows the ensembles look more broadly at popular music genres. For example, there may be songs the current generation hears on the radio today, and songs the older generation heard on the radio when they were young."

UNG students will not only perform this spring semester. They will be audience members when guest artists, such as members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, perform and conduct master classes.

Schoening said it is an invaluable experience for students pursuing a professional music career.

"To listen to and work with musicians who are at the top of their game and who are actively out in the field reinforces what's going on in the industry," he said. "In particular, the aspect of getting real-world advice is very valuable."

The first guest artists in spring 2020 will be the Freedom Brass Quintet, which features members of the U.S. Air Force Band of the West.

"Their repertoire spans five centuries," Schoening said. "You will hear everything from Renaissance music to jazz to pop tunes to musical theater. Their programs are always entertaining."

The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, in Gloria Shott Auditorium on the Dahlonega Campus.

All concerts are free and open to the public. For a complete concert list, visit UNG's Department of Music and select upcoming events.