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Bird Heralds in Spring Festival of New Music and Dance |
| By
Vicki L. Kroll |
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Mar 31, 2003 |
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| Dr. Hubert Bird |
Composer, conductor and tenor Dr. Hubert Bird will be the special guest at the 26th annual Spring Festival of New Music and Dance, which features several events this week.
For 30 years, Bird was a faculty member at Keene State College of the University System of New Hampshire. He now lives in Baxter Springs, Kan., and continues to compose music. Performances of his works are presented annually in the United States, Europe, Canada and South America.
Bird has been commissioned for several national compositions. In 1987, the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point, N.Y., commissioned Bird for “Constitution Overture,” which honored America’s observance of the 200th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution. In 1976, he was selected by the National Bicentennial Commission in Washington, D.C., to write the official anthem for the United States’ 200th anniversary celebration.
This will be Bird’s first visit to the University, and he’s looking forward to meeting faculty and students. “The world of music is definitely a two-way street, and the natural give and take between all of us is exciting and valuable. One always looks forward to meeting new friends, both musicians and non-musicians, who share common interests,” he said. “I’m honored that the musicians at The University of Toledo are extending an invitation to me.”
“I have known Hubert Bird since our days at Pittsburg State University in Kansas when we were both undergraduate music students there,” said Barbara Rondelli-Perry, UT professor of music. “He is a really fine and respected composer. We are fortunate that he is able to be here with us.”
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| Barbara Rondelli-Perry, UT professor of music, will sing Dr. Hubert Bird's song cycles, A Flourish of Roses, on Tuesday, April 1. |
The music and dance department will spotlight Bird’s music in several performances:
• Tuesday, April 1 — Recital featuring the UT Faculty Brass Quintet, UT Faculty Woodwind Quintet and the UT Faculty Piano Trio at 8 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall.
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| Members of the UT Dance Company rehearse. |
• Wednesday, April 2 — Performance by the UT Dance Company — see the debut of five works by choreographers and UT instructors at 8 p.m. in Doermann Theater. Tickets — $5 and $3 for students, seniors and children 17 and younger — will be on sale at the door at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, April 3 — Interview with Bird by WGTE-FM 91 host Ross Hocker at 1 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall. At 8 p.m., the UT Student Chamber Music Recital, featuring performers selected by audition, will take place in the Recital Hall.
• Friday, April 4 — Gala concert finale with the UT Wind Ensemble, Concert Chorale and UT Orchestra at 8 p.m. in Doermann Theater.
All events are free unless noted. The Spring Festival of New Music and Dance is funded by grants from the Richard R. and Barbara R. Perry Program for Excellence Fund and the College of Arts and Sciences Public Events Support Grants Program.
For more information any of these events, call the UT music and dance department at 419.530.2448.
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