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2014/2015 MASTER PLAYERS MASTER CONCERTSERIES livemusic

UNIVERSITYreimagined OF DELAWARE MESSAGE FROM Welcome to the 2014–15 season of the University of Delaware’s Master Players Concert Series. Now in its 11th year, MPCS welcomes virtuoso performers from across the country and around the world. We’re so PRESIDENT HARKER fortunate to have access to these artists whose music stirs, uplifts and inspires us, as individuals and as a community. This is the power of art, and in the hands of these musicians and vocalists, the power is great indeed.

This year, we’re thrilled to stage—for the frst time—a homegrown musical featuring several UD students and young area performers. The musical, Campus Chatter, is a creative collaboration of University faculty and staf, as well as several departments and student organizations. It’s a true-to-life exploration of the challenges facing today’s college students, and showcases the tremendous talent, sagacity and sensitivity of this extraordinary community.

On behalf of the University—and, most especially, artistic director Xiang Gao and UD’s acclaimed music faculty; this season’s featured artists; and all those responsible for producing such a compelling series—I invite you to come experience another season of incredible music.

Sincerely,

Patrick T. Harker President

This program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware The Master Players Concert Series is Division of the Arts, a state under the management of the Depart- agency dedicated to nurturing and ment of Music and is sponsored by the supporting the arts in Delaware, College of Arts and Sciences. in partnership with the National A special thank you to the office of Endowment for the Arts. the President for its continued support. MESSAGE FROM THE Dear friends, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Welcome to Master Players. Under the leadership of our Master Players Advisory Council, and aided by the generous support of many music lovers, I am proud to share with you the expansion of our Master Players’ program. This season, we will ofer more presentations, displaying an even broader range of artistic diversity than before. In a technology-driven world where LIVE musical performance has become increasingly scarce (like the hand-written post card you infrequently fnd in your mailbox), we hope that this season’s program will enrich your lives.

As many of you may know, my passion for China–U.S. relations has led me to direct the UD Alumni and Friends China Trip for eight consecutive summers. We now invite you to join us on a trip of a diferent kind. Our season-opening gala on September 27th will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the normalization of China–U.S. relations. That event will be a rare opportunity to witness how two world powers have conducted a journey of cooperation and confict since 1979 through collaborative music making.

Then in October, “The Art of String Quartet” series will feature the Afara String Quartet, one of the fnest ensembles in today’s chamber music scene. In addition to virtuoso string and piano music, the series will introduce “Kesivan and the Lights,” a leading South African band that will bring the fresh and colorful sounds of to Newark only days after the band’s Carnegie Hall debut.

In December, we will welcome Toronto’s legendary Canadian Brass to celebrate the holiday season with us. Even though I frst heard the Canadian Brass 20 years ago, I vividly recall the brilliant performance they gave. Also, I am pleased to announce that this concert is free to children age 14 and under, as part of the Master Players commitment in education.

In January, Master Players will begin a winter concert series with a powerful vocal recital featuring leading American vocalists Caitlin Lynch and Jonathan Lasch. Later this winter we will present the Donald Sinta Saxophone Quartet, an ensemble known for its extraordinary virtuosic talent. During a 2011 concert tour, I was privileged to share the stage with that ensemble, and was highly moved by their remarkable sound. Their performance this coming Valentine’s Day will be a highlight of the season.

The Master Players expansion into educational and creative material will be showcased through the Xiang Gao, Producing Artistic Director world premiere of an original musical theatre production, “Campus Chatter: The New Musical.” Under Tamara Smith, General Manager the direction of world-class musical theatre directors and designers, and with the co-sponsorship of UD Laura Kerst, Performance Coordinator student theatre group, the Harrington Theatre Arts Company (HTAC), this will be the frst musical created and presented in Master Players’ history. Megan M.F. Everhart, Publication Coordinator Our season fnale, “iMusic VIII – 6ixwire around the world,” will feature 6ixwire, the Master Players Melissa Kitchen, Assistant to Artistic ensemble in residence, in collaboration with musicians and visual artists from , Europe, Asia Director and across the United States. This remarkable group will present a concert that consists entirely of new Cesar Colmenares, Artists Manager music, closing our season with unsurpassed artistry. The 6ixwire Project, MPCS Ensemble-in- Allow me to thank you in advance for experiencing our music, and for supporting Master Players during Residence its ambitious expansion. Most of all, I look forward to sharing with you the joy of live music. This series is co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the In music, Department of Music. A special thank you to the Ofce of the President for their continued support. Xiang Gao, Producing Artistic Director reimagined livemusic SEASON OPENING Co-presented by the UD Confucius Institute, this gala concert, created and directed by Master Players artistic director Xiang Gao, celebrates the 35th anniversary of the normalization of China–U.S. relations. GALA 1979 features renowned classical and folk musicians of the two world powers as well as faculty and student performers from UD and the XiaMen University of China. They include collaborative pianist 1979 Zhihua Tang, futist Eileen Grycky, harpist Anne Sullivan, violinist Xiang Gao, vocalist Juliet Petrus, SAT September 27, 8 p.m., percussionist Harvey Price, UD’s award winning A Cappella group “VocalPoint”, di (Chinese bamboo fute) Mitchell Hall soloist Feisheng Ye, pipa (Chinese lute) soloist Kunli Li, Guzheng (Chinese zither) soloist Lei Zhang, and dagu (Chinese drum) soloist Liqun Li, among others. reimagined THE ART OF STRING The Art of String Quartet is a tradition that brings many of today’s extraordinary string quartets to the tri-state region. Based in Toronto, Canada, the Afara String Quartet is one of the most promising string QUARTET II quartets performing professionally worldwide, having won top prizes at many major international AFIARA STRING competitions. The quartet’s Master Players debut concert includes performances by Webern, Mozart and QUARTET Mendelssohn.

FRI October 24, 8 p.m., The Afara players received a hearty ovation for their vibrant performance. Gore Recital Hall « —The New» York Times

Free of charge master class with Afiara String Quartet at 1:20–2:20 p.m. on October 24, Gore Recital Hall

MPCS gently reminds you the Gore Recital Hall only seats 200. A SPECIAL EVENING OF In what we hope will be a new tradition, Master Players brings world-class artists and ensembles to the tri-state region within 12 months of their major NYC debut. Kesivan Naidoo is one of the exciting leaders SOUTH AFRICAN JAZZ of the next wave of Cape jazz performers. A composer and drummer, Naidoo leads Kesivan and the NYC-DE EXPRESS Lights, a remarkable jazz sextet that is equally exciting when playing a standard, an original composition, or covering an Ornette Coleman tune. Kesivan and the Lights makes their Delaware debut one week FRI November 7, 8 p.m., after their Carnegie Hall debut. This jazz concert also celebrates the newly established UD-South African Mitchell Hall collaboration in arts, research and education, and is hosted by South African concert producer Colin David Miller. MASTER PLAYERS A Master Players tradition that brings the holiday spirit to the community, the holiday pops concert will feature the legendary Canadian Brass as they travel from Canada to Newark. As a special holiday treat HOLIDAY POPS co-presented by the UD Institute for Global Studies, the evening will feature virtuoso brass and holiday CANADIAN BRASS music arranged for the prestigious ensemble. Join the world-renowned ensemble at a CD-signing following the concert. They will have copies of their internationally released holiday music CD available SAT December 6, 7 p.m., for purchase. Mitchell Hall As part of Master Players’ expansion and commitment to education, the annual Holiday Pops concert Please note the special concert is free to anyone 14 and younger, made possible by a group of generous community, academic and time for family audiences. business leaders. These are the men who put brass music «on the map with their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humor. —Washington» Post The Kings of Brass: After 42 years, the «Canadian quintet still makes music that soars. » —Ottawa Citizen

A VALENTINE’S DAY The Donald Sinta Saxophone Quartet is the grand prize winner of the prestigious Concert Artist Guild Music Competition held in New York City. The four saxophonists’ Master Players debut features romantic EVENT and energetic compositions by American icons Bolcom and Barber, as well as European giants Dvořák, DONALD SINTA Schubert, Grieg, Shostakovich and others. The Valentine’s Day post-concert dessert reception allows all SAXOPHONE audience members to meet the sensational performers in the lobby of the Roselle Center for the Arts. QUARTET

SAT February 14, 8 p.m. Gore Recital Hall Valentine’s Day post-concert dessert reception, CFA lobby

MPCS gently reminds you the Gore Recital Hall only seats 200.

IMUSIC VIII Master Players’ ensemble-in-residence 6ixwire returns from its tour of Africa and Asia to perform a concert featuring collaborators they met from the two continents, as well as performers 6IXWIRE AROUND from Europe and the United States. Created and produced by 6ixwire founding member Xiang Gao and THE WORLD co-produced by music producer Colin David Miller, this world premiere of new music compositions and multimedia presentations composed for 6ixwire also features leading international musicians and SAT April 18, 8 p.m., visual artists, making this a rare opportunity for the audience. A multimedia world music composition by Mitchell Hall, world premiere Scottish composer Jennifer Margaret Barker and American composer Tyler Capp (UD alumnus) will make this concert a true “Grand Finale” to the 2014–2015 season. SUN April 19, 3 p.m., Mitchell Hall

Please note the special concert time for family audiences.

This event is made possible by the President’s Diversity Initiative Fund at the University of Delaware. TICKETING For advance ticket sales there is a $3 processing OUR DISCOUNTED INFORMATION fee PER TOTAL SINGLE TICKET ORDER and $6 processing fee PER SUBSCRIPTION ORDER. There is SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE no “per-ticket” fee. MASTER PLAYER CONCERT SERIES: To order advance tickets: AN EIGHT concert subscription is: 1. To order by mail: fll out the order form, include $152 Adults your check or Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American $120 Seniors, Alumni, Faculty and Staf Express number and mail it to: $56 Students REP Box Ofce A SIX concert subscription is: Roselle Center for the Arts $120 Adults University of Delaware $96 Seniors, Alumni, Faculty and Staf Newark, DE 19716 $48 Students 2. To order by fax: fax order form to (302) 831-0358 A FOUR concert subscription is: 3. To order by phone: call (302) 831-2204 $88 Adults $72 Seniors, Alumni, Faculty and Staf 4. To order online (single tickets only) visit our $36 Students website at udel.edu/mpcs. To reserve free Holiday Pops concert tickets for OR school groups, please contact:

5. Stop by the REP box ofce in the Roselle Center Laura Kerst at [email protected] or 302.831.0039 for the Arts between noon and 5 p.m. Monday– Friday. (Ticket processing fee and printing fee apply)

To learn more about your visit, please visit udel.edu/mpcs PARKING AND DIRECTIONS

General Public parking is recommend- ed in the CFA Parking Garage between South Main (Elkton Rd) and Amstel Ave.

The parking charge for the CFA Parking Garage is $2 per hour or part thereof, with a maximum charge of $10. The CFA Parking Garage accepts cash and credit cards.

Event parking vouchers are available to purchase for $5 (each) from event staf. Vouchers are cash or check only.

Center for the Arts Garage r3PVUF/PSUICFDPNFT4PVUI$PMMFHF Ave. at the intersection of Route 4. r$POUJOVFTUSBJHIUPO4PVUI$PMMFHF"WF for approximately two miles. r$POUJOVFHPJOHTUSBJHIUUISPVHIUIF intersection of South College Ave. and Park Place. r"UUIFJOUFSTFDUJPOPG4PVUI$PMMFHFBOE Kent Way, turn left. r5VSOSJHIUPOUP0SDIBSE3PBE r5VSOMFGUPOUP"NTUFM"WFOVF r5VSOMFGUJOUPUIF$FOUFSGPSUIF"SUT Parking Garage MASTER PLAYERS On Valentine’s Day 2014, the Master Players Advisory Council was proudly established. On behalf of the entire staf and audience of our beloved series, we thank all of the council members for contributing to CONCERT SERIES the vision of our series and for their most generous support. ADVISORY COUNCIL Jerome K. Grossman, Esq. Charles Michael Luck Susan B. Grossman Mark L. Manniso ’84 Louis L. Hirsh Marie G. Marx ’79 Margaret J. Hirsh Stuart J. Sharkey Jack B. Jacobs Steven J. Waidley ’99 Marion A. Jacobs ’92

The performing arts oferings in Delaware just got even better!

Come and experience world-class musical artists in an intimate setting on the beautiful University of Delaware campus in Newark. Ticket prices are reasonable and parking is convenient. A variety of excellent Richard B. Fischer, Co-Chair restaurants within walking distance await you. Now in its 11th season, The University of Delaware Master Players Concert Series is pleased to provide an exciting season of outstanding live performances. Whether your taste in music leans towards classical, jazz, brass ensembles, or cutting edge musical theater, let the Concert Series enrich your cultural life. Frequent the standard or explore the new—this is a series you do not want to miss. Tickets are limited, so subscribe early to get the best seats.

We believe in live music, and together we can help others do so as well. Please consider making a gift to support Master Players and to do your part in preserving the arts.

To make your tax-deductible gift, visit www.udel.edu/makeagift. You may also donate through our ticket order form.

Marichu Valencia, Co-Chair We look forward to sharing this musical journey with you! Thank you.

udel.edu/mpcs

We do not just present music, we live it.

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