While the weekend will inevitably bring a host of concerts and parties around Tucson, if you need a break from watching your friends lose at Guitar Hero, wander over to the UA School of Music to watch some talented students at work.
On Saturday and Sunday, Crowder Hall will be filled to its capacity, as the music department hosts the 35th Annual President’s Concert – and yes, President Robert Shelton will be in attendance; it’s not just a cleverly named event.
The concert will feature the Arizona Symphony Orchestra and will also highlight the four concerto competition winners, chosen during a fall competition. The competition winners are violinist Yeon Jin Kim, baritone Nathan Krueger, saxophonist Daniel Puccio and pianist James Stopher, all graduate students in the School of Music.
“”It’s the end of a long process for them,”” said Thomas Cockrell, director of orchestral activities. The competition winners had to beat out “”dozens”” of other students in one of the four categories: vocal, string, wind/brass/percussion and keyboard. The winners received a cash scholarship and the opportunity to perform their winning solo at the concert.
“”It’s a big deal; it’s a highly competitive competition, and they’ve worked very hard,”” said Ingvi Kallen, director of public relations and outreach at the School of Music. “”This competition will make a great difference in their future.””
While most performances receive about four weeks of preparation, the winter break forced the Arizona Symphony Orchestra, around 60 undergraduate and graduate music majors, to be performance-ready in only three short weeks.
“”It’s been challenging,”” Cockrell said. “”It’s a very exciting concert.””
Cockrell has invited Eiki Isomura, a music doctoral student, and competition winner Stopher, to conduct with him. Also taking a turn leading the orchestra will be Timothy Kolosick, music professor, and soon-to-be retiree.
“”This is one of the highlights of our year,”” Cockrell said. “”We always do the best for our colleagues.””
While not “”thematically unified,”” Cockrell promises a “”satisfying”” mix of music, which he described as everything from “”lush and romantic”” to “”lyrical”” and “”vengeful.”” Not to be outdone, the final was described as a “”tour de force.”” Cockrell urged students to wander over for what is sure to be an “”ear-opening”” experience.
“”It’s always good to see what colleagues in another discipline are capable of doing,”” Cockrell said.
Performances are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. All shows are at Crowder Hall, 1017 N. Olive Road. Tickets are $9 for the general public, $7 for UA employees and people older than 55 and $5 for students. Ticket sales go toward music scholarships.
