UA’s Celebrity Series Showcases Internationally Acclaimed Stars

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s 2009-2010 Celebrity Series will feature internationally acclaimed stars ranging from a Russian flutist to an acoustic guitar duo. The five-concert series begins Oct. 6 with internationally known flutist Maxim Rubtsov.

The UA School of Music concert series has been bringing performers throughout the world to Tuscaloosa for more than 20 years.

Sponsored by the UA College of Arts and Sciences, the series attracts audiences from across Alabama and surrounding states and provides the opportunity for musical art enthusiasts to enjoy the sounds of world-class performers.

Skip Snead, director of UA’s School of Music, said the series in recent years has emphasized bringing in performers who have diverse musical styles.

“There’s really something for everybody,” he said. “Certainly people who appreciate classical music at its best will appreciate these artists, but they also will appeal to a broader audience, not just the black-tie crowd.”

Celebrity Series subscriptions are $72 and $55. Single ticket prices are $22, $15 and $7 for students. All concerts take place in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building on the UA campus. Master classes are free and open to the public. For ticket information, or an immediate credit card purchase, phone the School of Music Box Office at 205/348-7111.

Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Maxim Rubtsov, flute

Pamela Penick, piano
with dancers from the UA department of theatre and dance
A Master class will precede the performance on Monday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. in the Concert Hall.  

Maxim Rubtsov was appointed Principal Flute of the Russian National Orchestra in 2003. Born in 1977 in Bryansk, Russia, he began his studies in music and choreography there and later transferred to Moscow’s Gnesin Institute of Music. He graduated with an advanced degree in music from the Moscow Conservatory. Rubtsov joined the flute section of the Russian National Orchestra in 1999 and was appointed associate principal the following year. At the time, he was the youngest ever to hold this position in the history of the orchestra.

Rubtsov will perform with Pamela Penick. Penick teaches classical piano and music management classes at the University and also serves as the executive director of the Arts and Humanities Council of Tuscaloosa. She is a frequent accompanist for students at UA and since 1991 has been part of the duo-piano team with Pamela Gordon.

 

 

 

Trout Fishing in America
Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

The acoustic guitar duo Trout Fishing in America is the long-standing musical partnership of Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet. Their infectious mix of folk/pop and family music is tempered by the diverse influences of reggae, Latin, blues, jazz and classical music. The group’s name is taken from a Richard Brautigan novel. Trout Fishing in America’s recordings have earned three National Indie Awards and multiple Parents Choice Gold and American Library awards. Trout Fishing in America is celebrating their fourth Grammy nomination for their album “Big Round World,” as well as the recent release of their children’s book/CD titled “My name is Chicken Joe.”

 

Triton Brass Quintet
Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 2 p.m.

The Boston-based Triton Brass Quintet is an exciting musical collaborative featuring five of the region’s most promising young talents. Triton is in its second year as artists-in-residence at The Boston Conservatory, where the group serves as both performers and instructors. The quintet has served as chamber music faculty at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute since 2005. Triton Brass was the prize winner at the 2005 Lyon International Chamber Music Competition, 2003 Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition and semi-finalists at the Concert Artists Guild Competition. The quintet is a fervent supporter of new music. It has performed multiple world premieres in recitals throughout the United States and maintains an ongoing “call-for-scores” open to all composers and collaborators. The quintet gave its first public performance in 2001.

 

 

Spencer Myer, piano
Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 2 p.m.
A master class will take place Monday, March 29, 2010 at 10 a.m. in Concert Hall

Spencer Myer has garnered stellar audiences and critical acclaim from around the globe,rapidly establishing himself as one of the most outstanding pianists of his generation. His orchestral, recital and chamber music performances have been heard throughout North America, Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia. Myer, won gold medalist in the 2008 New Orleans International Piano Competition. He has been soloist with The Cleveland Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bozeman, Indianapolis, Knoxville, New Haven, Phoenix, Richmond (Ind.), Santa Fe, Southeast Iowa, Tucson and Wyoming symphony orchestras, Dayton and Louisiana philharmonic orchestras and Beijing’s China National Symphony Orchestra.

 

Tonic Sol-fa

Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 2 p.m.

Tonic Sol-fa, a four-member a cappella group, has established itself not only as the most in-demand vocal group in the Midwest, but also as one of the most successful independent acts in America. More than one million copies of their CDs have been sold. In the 12 years since the group formed, it has reached national prominence with appearances on NBC’s “Today Show” and in Newsweek magazine. They have shared the stage with a number of recognizable performers,  including Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy and Lonestar. They also were recently part of Garrison Keillor’s 30th anniversary celebration of “A Prairie Home Companion.”

Tonic Sol-fa’s sixth album is entitled “On Top of the World.”

The School of Music is part of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.