Manhattan School of Music Brass Orchestra Joins The University of Scranton Singers In Concert
Mark Gould, right, will lead Manhattan School of Music Brass Orchestra and The University of Scranton Singers in a performance with the on Sunday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center. He is pictured with Cheryl Y. Boga, director of performance music at the University.
The University of Scranton Singers will perform with the Manhattan School of Music Brass Orchestra, led by Mark Gould and accompanied by organist Tim Smith, D.M.A., on Sunday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission is free and open to the public.
The concert will feature the first performance of an original composition for brass and chorus by trombonist Erik Saras, which was commissioned by the University.
“Inspired by ‘The Tears of the Indians’ (1541) by Bartolome de las Casas, the piece symbolizes how the grace of God can overcome and redeem the cruelties of man” said Cheryl Y. Boga, director of performance music, who also noted the intent of the commission is to expand American music written for brass and choir.
The composition for 24 brass players and mixed chorus was generously funded by alumni and friends of performance music through a micro grant program offered by the University. Saras will debut another original piece when he serves as guest composer and conductor for The University’s World Premiere Composition Series Concert on Saturday, May 4.
The Manhattan School of Music, one of the best conservatories in the country, boasts an outstanding faculty of devoted musicians committed to nurturing each student’s talent and development. The school trains its students in performance and composition, while providing a core curriculum in music theory and music history.
Gould, who served as principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera from 1974 to 2003, leads the Manhattan School of Music Brass Orchestra. He has been a faculty member of The Juilliard School since 1982 and of the Manhattan School of Music since 2004. Gould has also performed as a chamber musician with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the MET Chamber Ensemble, Empire Brass, Canadian Brass, and Summit Brass, among others. An active soloist and conductor, Gould has also lent his talents to many recordings, including several Grammy Award-winning albums. He also co-founded and co-directs the Scranton Brass Orchestra, which is sponsored by the University and is comprised of professional brass and percussion players from Northeast Pennsylvania.
Dr. Smith currently serves as music director at Covenant Presbyterian Church of Scranton. Previously, he was the university organist at Columbia University, New York, N.Y. He graduated from Yale University before earning a doctor of musical arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music. A talented recitalist, he has performed at renowned churches and cathedrals all over the world, including Chartres, Beauvais, Notre-Dame, the Church of St. Germain-des-Prez, Lincoln Cathedral and Wells Cathedral. At the University, Dr. Smith will perform on a 1910 Austin opus # 301, which is one of very few authentic examples of fully restored classic 20th century, pre-World War II symphonic organs. Patrick J. Murphy and Associates, Inc., Stowe, restored the organ in 2006.
For additional information, email music@scranton.edu, or visit www.scranton.edu/music.
