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September 10, 2007
Emory, guest artists and anniversaries highlight music season

By jessica moore

The 2007–08 music season is full of exciting free and ticketed performances featuring notable guest artists such as clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, the 15th anniversary of the popular Celtic Christmas Concert, and more than 30 excellent faculty and student performances.

To purchase tickets for ticketed concerts and the previously announced Candler Concert Series and Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta Emerson and Family series, contact the Arts at Emory Box Office, 404-727-5050, www.arts.emory.edu. Emory faculty, staff, students, retired faculty and staff, members of Friends groups, Carlos Museum members and many others may receive special discounts when purchasing in person or by phone.

The Southeastern Festival of Song kicks off the Emory Coca-Cola Artist-in-Residence Series with a performance of their newest show, “The Great Escape,” on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. The members of SEFoS will be joined by special guests The Atlanta Boy Choir and guitarist Wes Yoakam to offer an evening of songs spanning many styles, moods and themes drawing from the twists and turns of escape routes great and small. The concert includes works by Schubert, Debussy, Bruce Springsteen and the Beatles.

Emory faculty member Keiko Ransom presents a solo piano recital on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. featuring works by Beethoven, Chopin and Ravel. A graduate of the Tokyo College of Music and The Juilliard School, she has given concerts throughout her native Japan as well as in the United States and has collaborated with such artists as Robert Spano, Gary Hoffman, Dale Clevenger and Lazlo Varga. Other faculty presenting recitals this year include soprano Christina Howell with guitarist Brian Luckett (Oct. 27), percussionist Michael Cebulski (Jan. 22), pianist Janice Wong (Feb. 22) and soprano Teresa Hopkin (March 29).

The Emory Wind Ensemble, directed by Scott Stewart, opens its season with a concert (Oct. 17) featuring Richard Stoltzman, the preeminent jazz, classical and new music clarinet player who is credited with expanding the range of clarinet repertoire. This diverse program includes composer Scott McAllister’s “Black Dog,” a classical clarinet concerto infused with the rock energy of Led Zeppelin. Stewart will also direct Stoltzman with the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, now celebrating its 20th anniversary as one of the nation’s leading youth ensembles.

The Emory Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Prior, opens its season on Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. with the immortal “Symphony No. 1 in C Minor” by Johannes Brahms and a performance of the “Toccata” from Joseph Jonen’s “Sinfonia Concertante” featuring University Organist Timothy Albrecht. On Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. the orchestra will be joined by the Emory Concert Choir and the Emory Wind Ensemble for a performance featuring Richard Stoltzman, an Emory Coca-Cola Artist in Residence. In addition to undergraduate ensembles, Prior also conducts the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, which will perform at Emory on Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.

Jazz enthusiasts will have plenty of concerts to look forward to after the Yellowjackets jazz quartet has appeared at Emory (Oct. 5). Gary Motley, director of jazz studies, leads the Emory Jazz Ensemble, Big Band and Jazz Combos in various performances throughout the year. Headlining the annual Jazz Fest (Jan. 31–Feb. 2) this year is saxophonist Benny Golson, who, in addition to teaching, will also perform with the Gary Motley Trio (Gary Motley, piano, Paul Keller, bass and Pete Siers, drums) on Feb. 1. On Feb. 28, the Emory Big Band will join the Emory Tango Ensemble for a performance with tango/jazz artists Pablo Aslan, bass, and Emilio Solla, piano.

The Emory University Chorus and Concert Choir, directed by Eric Nelson, will present its annual holiday concert, “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” Dec. 7–8. The Emory tradition established in 1935 continues with this candlelit evening service of choral music and scripture, with readings by special guests from the community. University Organist Timothy Albrecht also performs.

James Flannery hosts and directs the “Fifteenth Annual Atlanta Celtic Christmas Concert” Dec. 15–16. One of Atlanta’s most popular holiday traditions, the Celtic Christmas Concert celebrates Christmas with the mystical beauty and heartfelt warmth of Celtic and Appalachian music, dance, poetry, song and story.

The Arts at Emory Web site, www.arts.emory.edu, offers concert details, updates and program information. To receive occasional e-mail updates about the season, contact the box office at 404-727-5050 and ask to be added to the Arts at Emory mailing list.

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