Music events set for spring semester

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of Music will host a wide variety of events this spring, including a Contra Flow and performances by students and faculty.  

One of the highlights will be the Winter Contra Flow, set for 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in Memorial Hall on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. The UNG collegiate chapter of the National Association of Music Education (CNAfME) is sponsoring the event featuring UNG student callers and ensembles, Licklog String Band, and UNG Jazz Combo.

"Contra dance professional musicians and callers were hired to lead all previous Contra Flow events with the support of Presidential Incentive and Sesquicentennial grants. This is the first time CNAfME students have the requisite musical and organizational skills to run Contra Flow independently," Dr. Marie Graham, assistant professor and music education coordinator, said.

Another noteworthy event will be performances by winners of UNG's annual Concerto Competition, both of whom are pursuing degrees in music education. Sophomore Tyler Howell will perform a portion of the Creston Sonata for Alto Saxophone with UNG's Wind Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Dawson County Performing Arts Center. Junior Eric Sullivan will be performing a portion of the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Sinfonietta at 7:30 p.m. April 20 in the Gloria Shott Performance Hall on the Dahlonega Campus.  "The Concerto Competition gives us an opportunity to showcase the exceptional talent of our students of which Eric and Tyler are two of our finest," Dr. Benjamin Schoening, department head of music, said.

Internationally recognized trombone soloist Peter Steiner and pianist Constanze Hochwartner will be featured at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Gloria Shott Auditorium as part of the Golden Brass series.

The 2022-23 "A Little Night(hawk) Music" concert series highlighting the Sesquicentennial Celebration continues with two performances featuring music composed in 1973, the golden anniversary of UNG. The series features guitarist and cellist Dr. Phil Snyder and will be from 7:30-9 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Ed Cabell Theatre on the Gainesville Campus and 7:30-9 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Schott Auditorium.

Songs by Roberta Flack and Stevie Wonder that charted in 1973 will be performed at this concert on solo guitar, as well as a name that tune session for the audience that will feature some of classic rock's most famous guitar riffs. Other pieces will include familiar rags by Scott Joplin, whose music was made popular again with its inclusion in the 1973 movie "The Sting" and a selection from Led Zeppelin's 1973 album "Houses of the Holy."

The season wraps up with an outdoor concert by the UNG Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble along with a Pops concert as part of Parent-Alumni Weekend April 15-16, and a Choral Explosion featuring UNG Singers, Le Belle Voci, UNG Chorale, and Truett-McConnell University Chorale at 7 p.m. April 17 at Cumming First United Methodist Church in Cumming, Georgia.

For a list of music events this spring, visit the UNG Music webpage.