program Friday, October 16, 2015 at 8:00 pm Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center, Morgan Hall Twenty-fourth Concert of the 2015-16 Concert Season Brazilian Guitarist Felipe Coelho presents Todas as Direções with KSU Symphony Orchestra and KSU Jazz Parliament Trio FELIPE COELHO (b. 1981) Antigos Caminhos Choro Valsa Cartagena Choro Fantasiado Eco dos Anjos Hawa Nascente Penumbra y Luz (A Piazzolla e Juanjo Dominguez) Três Melodias Kennesaw State University Symphony Orchestra Intermission Nathaniel F. Parker, conductor Selections will be announced from stage. Kennesaw State University Jazz Parliament Trio Sam Skelton, saxophone Marc Miller, bass Justin Chesarek, drum set
personnel KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FIRST VIOLINS Ryan Gregory * Grace Johnston Huijeong Lee Danielle Moller SECOND VIOLINS Micah David + Rachel LaRocca Nathaniel Roberts Anneka Zee VIOLAS Rachel Fishback Perry Morris + Samantha Tang CELLOS Kathryn Encisco + Michael Roberts Dorian Silva BASSES Daniel Kim David Metrio + SYMPHONY ASSISTANTS David Metrio Michael Roberts * Concertmaster + Principal
performer biography Felipe Coelho, guitarist Felipe Coelho, born in Florianopolis, Brazil, began to play with his father at age five and take lessons at age six. Passionate for music in general, he began to play and sing in his own band at age thirteen and discovered instrumental music through Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Malmsteen. At age fifteen, he received the Most Outstanding Soloist of the Grissom High School Jazz Festival (Huntsville, AL), earning a spot to attend the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Workshop in Chicago (1998) at Elmhurst University, where he earned the opportunity to learn personally from jazz greats David Baker, Jeff Hamilton and Aebersold himself. He was then offered a scholarship and stayed in the U.S. until graduating with a Master of Music at age twenty-three. In his nine years in the U.S., he was guitarist for the Mighty Blue Kings, Serenata Band (salsa), and composed for and accompanied the Perla Flamenco, flamenco academy of Atlanta, playing at the annual Fronteras 2003 and 2004. He conducted and arranged for the GSU Guitar Ensemble, toured with both the University of Alabama and Georgia State Jazz Big Band and worked as a guitarist for international cruise ships, showcasing his own Mediterranean Guitar concert. Strongly influenced by gypsy jazz, flamenco, and the oriental music traditions of Anoushka Shankar, Zakir Hussain and Avishai Cohen, he combined those with his Brazilian natural roots bringing about a unique style. His very first
compositions already portrayed the tendencies for musical explorations across cultures, which perdured through all of his musical works that followed. The challenge to make such broad mixtures work together fell with ease into the artist's hands, becoming noticeable as his yet to be strongest card - the ability to systhesize styles geographically so far apart into one voice rather naturally. The first record, Raízes Trançadas for small chamber orchestra, had one of its compostions on national TV displayed by Manhattan Connection (GNT) and was introduced as being from a "...new Brazilian talent from Florianópolis..." The record earned compliments of André Mehmari and Guinga, and received the Elizabete Anderle state award (FCC-SC), opening the path for the production of CataVento. Felipe's second CD, CataVento for string quartet and jazz trio, earned the well-acclaimed FUNARTE national award displaying his music nationally. With federal and state incentives, the project alone toured the country three times and was invited for the twenty-six concert state tour by SESC-SC, totaling more than fifty concerts in theaters of nine states. It was invited by festivals Oficinas de Curitiba PR, Festival Primavera (Idaial), Movimento Hotspot, and awarded in the Festival Nacional de Composição para Vioão Viola e Guitarra (Vinhedo- SP). Intending to move away from chamber formations toward the jazz and popular traditions, Felipe founded the group Musadiversa for his third record, exploring south Brazilian modern jazz. Funded by Franklin Cascaes City Instituition, he produced the record and its release, which was considered the best instrumental work of Santa Catarina of 2012, and was selected as being among the ten best independent records by the state media. Musadiversa, after producing its DVD, performed as one of the main attractions of Jurere Jazz Festival, and in 2013, performed concerts in the USA (GSU-Atlanta and UA-Tuscaloosa). His fourth and most recent recording was made live in 2013 upon receiving an invitation by the Orquestra Filarmonia SC as composer, soloist and arranger to execute his original pieces written for string orchestra and seven-string guitar which constituted Todas as Direções. In this work, his view of music as a worldly art without boundaries becomes clearer than ever, tapping into yet more distinct traditions that had not yet been covered in his previous compositions. Modern tango, classical contemporary music, "choro" waltz reminiscent of Argentinean waltzes of the 1920's, and even sounds that resembled Tibetan music, where all new languages added even more freshness to his already original approach. Through the recognition of his productions by sponsors and awards, Coelho has at an early age, been able to release four independent records and tour six times. The reach of exposure of his works by music appreciators and
producers have led to invitations from festivals and seminaries in South America, including international festivals such as the Festival Internacional de Flamenco (SJC - São Paulo). Just in the past two years, he has performed in Shangai, China, alongside Bruno Moritz; in the United States (GSU and UA); invited by Jurere Jazz Festival; Festival Floripa Instrumental; Festival de Inverno de Brusque; Festival Nacional FEMUCIC (Maringá PR); and Festival Sonora da Ilha. He has just recently been invited as performer as well as nominated official classical guitar and popular guitar course professor at one of Brazil's most important international festivals, Festival de Música de Londrina (July 2014) - the youngest professor this year and in two different areas of expertise. Coelho is currently writing in trio format (drums and bass) and plans to release a new array of compositions by 2015, blending contemporary Brazilian music with jazz and flamenco, which he hopes will bring a breath of fresh air into the world guitar scene. conductor biography Nathaniel F. Parker, a talented and dynamic musician, joined the Kennesaw State University faculty as Interim Director of Orchestras and Assistant Professor of Music in fall 2015; he also serves as Interim Conductor of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra s Symphony Orchestra and was recently appointed Conductor of the Concert Orchestra at New England Music Camp (Maine). Equally at home working with professionals and training future generations of musicians, Dr. Parker has conducted orchestras in the United States, Peru, Russia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. His recent guest conducting engagements include Interim Director of Orchestras
appearances with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra (Michigan), the Connecticut Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 9 String Fest. In February, he will serve as Guest Conductor and Clinician for the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District 12 Middle School Honor Orchestra. Also an active scholar, Dr. Parker s writings have been published by the Conductors Guild and the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA). He has presented research at the College Orchestra Directors Association s national and international conferences and currently serves as Editor of the Journal of the Conductors Guild. In 2015, he received a Citation of Excellence in Teaching from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Prior to his appointment at Kennesaw State, Dr. Parker served as Director of Orchestral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Marywood University (Pennsylvania) where he was Music Director and Conductor of the Marywood University Orchestra and taught courses in conducting, instrumental methods, musicology, and analytical techniques. Other previous positions include Assistant Conductor and Production Manager of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra (Michigan), Music Director and Conductor of the Jackson Youth Symphony Orchestra, Director of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Community Music School, Graduate Conducting Intern at Michigan State University, Music Director and Conductor of the Mason Orchestral Society s Community Orchestra and Youth Symphony (Michigan), Assistant Director of Music at Xaverian High School (New York), Conductor of the New Music Festival of Sandusky Orchestra (Ohio), and Graduate Assistant Conductor and Teaching Assistant at Bowling Green State University (Ohio). Parker earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from Michigan State University, where his primary instructors were Leon Gregorian and Raphael Jiménez. He earned a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Bowling Green State University, where he studied with Emily Freeman Brown; his other conducting mentors include Stephen Osmond, Gary W. Hill and Timothy Russell. In addition to his training in academia, Dr. Parker participated in numerous conducting master classes and workshops, conducting orchestras under the tutelage of nationally and internationally renowned conductors and conducting pedagogues including Christoph Eschenbach, George Hurst, Arthur Fagen, Markand Thakar, Mark Gibson, David Itkin, Jorge Mester, and Paul Vermel. Parker began his collegiate education at Arizona State University, where he studied bassoon with Jeffrey G. Lyman and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance. Nat resides in Woodstock with his wife, Melody, their son, Jacob, and their dog, Sammy.
jazz trio biographies Director of Jazz Studies and Senior Lecturer in Saxophone Sam Skelton, a native of Conyers, Georgia, has been active on the Atlanta music scene for well over two decades. Skelton graduated summa cum laude from Georgia State University and the private studio of Tony Carere with a degree in Jazz Studies. During his course of study at GSU, Skelton was a Montgomery Music Scholar and a two-time fellowship recipient to the Aspen Music Festival. He continued his saxophone studies with Kenneth Radnofsky at Boston University in 1991. As a woodwind doubler, Skelton is well versed in any genre of music. His grasp of saxophone, clarinet and flute has enabled him to remain very busy in live performance as well as in the studio. Skelton has performed and/or soloed with The London Symphony Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony, The Atlanta Pops, The Peachtree Pops, The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and The Cobb Symphony Orchestra as well as numerous local high school and civic ensembles. World Premiers include James Oliverio s Children of A Common Mother, Lee Johnson s Ora Pro Mi: Concerto for Winds Soloist (clarinet, flute and soprano saxophone) and Seaside Symphony (clarinet and soprano saxophone soloist). Skelton also played the premier recording of Ora Pro Mi and Seaside Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra. As a sideman on over 175 compact discs, Skelton remains very active in the studio and can be heard on recordings by such artists as: Elton John, December Radio, Babbie Mason, Howard Tate, Matchbox 20, Train, Edwin McCain, The Gap Band and The Ohio Players. Television and radio jingles include The Georgia Lottery, Glen Beck, The Weather Channel, The Travel Channel, Ford, The Cartoon Network, CNN, Nature s Own, Popeye s, Papa John s and Turner South. Television appearances include In the Heat of the Night, Savannah and Sinbad s Summer Jam II on HBO.
Skelton is currently Director of Jazz Studies and Lecturer in Saxophone at Kennesaw State University. He is also Artistic Director of CSO Jazz and GYSO Jazz. Skelton served as Professor of Saxophone at Georgia State University from 1991 to 2004 and was Jazz Ensemble Director at Georgia Tech from 2002-2004 and Artist-in-Residence at The University of Georgia Jazz Department. He served as Visiting Professor of Saxophone at Furman University 2001-2002. Professional associations include: Georgia Music Educators Association, Georgia Association of Jazz Educators, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (voting member) and the American Federation of Musicians. Skelton is a Conn-Selmer Artist. Artist-in-Residence in Jazz Bass and Jazz Combos Marc Miller joined Kennesaw State University in 2010. Starting on tuba in elementary school, he picked up electric bass in middle school and double bass in college. Studying under Melanie Punter and Bill Peterson, Marc completed his bachelor s degree at Florida State University in Jazz Studies. He then went on to study under John Fremgen and David Neubert at the University of Texas at Austin, completing his master s degree in Performance in 2002. Comfortable in any musical style, Marc has performed and recorded with many jazz artists, rock groups, tango, hip-hop, flamenco, salsa and folk ensembles. While in Austin, he was a member of pioneering jazz group, Blaze, winner of the Austin Music Awards Best Jazz Group for several years running. He has performed regularly with Bob Reynolds, Jason Marsalis and Lizz Wright. He has also shared the stage with Tim Hagans, Bob Brookmeyer, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Printup and Mike Stern. Prior to teaching at Kennesaw State, Marc taught at Jacksonville State University and LaGrange College. In addition to his bass studios at these universities, he led big bands and combos and taught academic courses including music appreciation and music theory. Marc can be heard performing around town in a variety of ensembles, encompassing many genres of music. He is a regular member of the Trey Wright Trio and the Mace Hibbard Group, appearing on their most recent albums, as well as many other local jazz ensembles. Additionally, he performs with salsa groups Orquesta Macuba and Vecinos Del Mundo, pit orchestras at the Fox, The Atlanta Pops Orchestra, and with many other local artists.
Artist-in-Residence in Jazz Percussion Justin Chesarek is all about swing. It s what drives him, it s what makes him strike drum heads with well-composed intensity, and it s why some of the best jazz musicians in Atlanta keep him on call. Since arriving in Atlanta in August 2008, Justin Chesarek, a transplant from rural Pennsylvania, has made quite a name for himself. He isn t your average session drummer. While regularly playing gigs with Gary Motley, Laura Coyle and Gordon Vernick, Justin also flexes his composing muscles with his group The Tree-O of Love, who maintains a regular Wednesday night gig at Churchill Grounds, Atlanta s premier jazz club. Pulling diverse influences from jazz, classical, rock, world music, Justin writes and plays music with emotion, putting his artistry and talent in every note and beat he comes across. The end product is jazz the virtuosity of Bebop, the soul and funkiness of the early days of Fusion, and a retro-modern mindset oozing with musicality and a beat that gets the inner ear thumpin. Composing as a drummer allows me to supply more of a concept of drums in melody. It gives me the opportunity to inject different rhythms and colors, Justin said. Consorting with members of jazz royalty including Houston Person, Jerry Bergonzi and Johnny O Neal, just to name a few, Justin is regularly asked to perform with some of the biggest names around. A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA, Justin holds a Bachelors of Music in Education. Under the direction of Dr. Stephen Hawk, Justin completed a two-week European tour making appearances at the Montreaux Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival. Justin finished his Masters of Music in Jazz Studies in May, 2010, at Georgia State University and currently teaches at Emory University and Kennesaw State University.
School of Music Faculty and Staff Director Stephen W. Plate Music Education Judith Beale Janet Boner Kathleen Creasy John Culvahouse Charles Jackson Charles Laux Alison Mann Angela McKee Richard McKee Cory Meals Harry Price Terri Talley Amber Weldon-Stephens Music History & Appreciation Drew Dolan Edward Eanes Heather Hart Kayleen Justus Music Theory, Composition & Technology Judith Cole Kelly Francis Jennifer Mitchell Laurence Sherr Benjamin Wadsworth Jeff Yunek Woodwinds Robert Cronin, Flute Todd Skitch, Flute Christina Smith, Flute Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, Oboe John Warren, Clarinet, Chamber Music Laura Najarian, Bassoon Sam Skelton, Saxophone Brass and Percussion Doug Lindsey, Trumpet, Chamber Music Mike Tiscione, Trumpet Jason Eklund, Horn Tom Gibson, Trombone Brian Hecht, Bass Trombone Martin Cochran, Euphonium Bernard Flythe, Tuba/Euphonium John Lawless, Percussion Strings Helen Kim, Violin Kenn Wagner, Violin Justin Bruns, Chamber Music Catherine Lynn, Viola Paul Murphy, Viola Charae Krueger, Cello James Barket, Double Bass Elisabeth Remy Johnson, Harp Mary Akerman, Classical Guitar Voice Jessica Jones Eileen Moremen Oral Moses Leah Partridge Valerie Walters Todd Wedge Jana Young Piano Judith Cole, Collaborative Piano & Musical Theatre Julie Coucheron Robert Henry John Marsh, Class Piano David Watkins Soohyun Yun Jazz Justin Chesarek, Jazz Percussion Wes Funderburk, Jazz Trombone, Jazz Ensembles Tyrone Jackson, Jazz Piano Marc Miller, Jazz Bass Sam Skelton, Jazz Ensembles Lester Walker, Jazz Trumpet Trey Wright, Jazz Guitar, Jazz Combos Ensembles & Conductors Leslie J. Blackwell, Choral Activities Alison Mann, Choral Activities Cory Meals, Concert Band, Marching Band Oral Moses, Gospel Choir Eileen Moremen, Opera Nathaniel Parker, Symphony Orchestra Charles Laux, Philharmonic Orchestra Debra Traficante, Concert Band, Marching Band David Kehler, Wind Ensemble School of Music Staff Julia Becker, Administrative Specialist III Kimberly Beckham, Coordinator of Band Operations and Outreach David Daly, Director of Programming and Facilities Susan M. Grant Robinson, Associate Director for Administration Joseph Greenway, Technical Director Dan Hesketh, Digital Media Specialist June Mauser, Administrative Associate II Andrew Solomonson, Facility Operations Manager Ensembles in Residence Atlanta Percussion Trio KSU Faculty Jazz Parliament Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus KSU Faculty Chamber Players KSU Faculty String Trio KSU Community and Alumni Choir
about the school of music Welcome to our campus! The School of Music is an exciting place to live, learn and work. Housed in the College of the Arts, the School is infused with masterfully skilled and dedicated performing teachers who care deeply about their profession, our programs, our community and every student involved in music and the arts. Our facilities are aesthetically functional and well equipped, our professional staff first-class, and our motivation perfect; to prepare students to be accomplished, creative arts leaders - diversely trained, acutely challenged and well-practiced to ensure employability and empowerment to take the 21st-century music world by storm. Our students come to us from the leading musical arts and honors organizations from across the southeast, and as a School of Music, we are dedicated to the purpose of furthering the arts and cultural offerings of our region and beyond. Please take the time to meet our faculty, students and staff. Interact with them, talk shop with them - their enthusiasm is contagious whether on or off the stage. I look forward to a long and rewarding relationship, and with your involvement as an audience member and patron, there are no limits to what we can become. If we can be of assistance to you, simply ask. Stephen W. Plate, DMA Director, School of Music Kennesaw State University connect with us `/musicksu t @musicksu y/musicksu @musicksu musicksu.com Visit musicksu.com and click "Live Streaming" to watch live broadcasts of many of our concerts and to view the full schedule of live streamed events. Please consider a gift to the Kennesaw State University School of Music. http://community.kennesaw.edu/givetomusic