Saturday, December 6, 2008

Turn on your speakers and then try this:
Berliner Philharmoniker: Cello Challenge

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 @ 4:00 pm

Magale Recital Hall
MUS 1500 Student Recital includes:

Duetto for Clarinet & Double Bass .... G. Bottesini (1821-1887)
Dr. Malena McLauren, clarinet
Josue Ramirez, bass
Elena Kuroda, piano

Sunday, November 9, 2008 @ 2:30 pm

Louisiana Composers Consortium Concert #32
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall

PROGRAM includes:

Reoccurence (1990) .... Al Benner
Paul Christopher, cello

Sunday, November 2, 2008 @ 3:00 pm

Louisiana Composers' Consortium Concert #31
Recital Hall
Howard Center for the Performing Arts
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, LA

PROGRAM includes:

Reocurrence for Solo Cello (1990) .... Al Benner
Paul Christopher, cello

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 @ 4:00 pm

Magale Recital Hall
MUS 1500 Student Recital includes:

Concerto for Double Bass and Piano .... D Dragonetti
Allegro moderato


Natalie Johnson, bass
Frankie Daugherty, piano

Thursday, 10/23/2008 @ 4:15 pm

LMTA @ Centenary College
Hurley Building, Anderson Recital Hall








Concertante Works of Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1887)
Presenter: Josue Ramirez, bass

Grand Duo Number 2 for Double Bass and Viola
Mario Torres, viola

Duetto for Clarinet and Double Bass
Dr. Malena McLauren, clarinet
Elena Koruda, piano

Grand Duo for Cello and Double Bass on Themes from Bellini's "Il Puritani"
Paul Christopher, cello
Elena Koruda, piano

Thomas Hundemer biography

Pauli's Prelude .... Thomas Hundemer (1954-

Thomas Hundemer, principal horn of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra since 1983. Mr. Hundemer is Instructor of Horn at Centenary College in Shreveport, and was the 1997 recipient of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council's Artist Fellowship in Music, as well as a 1999 and 2001 individual grant. He has been a frequent soloist with orchestras in the region.

Mr. Hundemer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in composition from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Arts degree in horn performance from the University of Iowa. As a composer and arranger he has had numerous performances of his works for chamber ensembles and choir, including his orchestral pieces Spring Rain (1992), and On Highways & Byways (2003) commissioned for the Shreveport Symphony's commemoration of the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase.

Kenneth Olson biography

Ricercare per Quattro Violoncelli .... Kenneth Olson (1950-

Kenneth Olson originally trained as a Russian linguist at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. From 1980-1986 studied composition/theory at the University of the Arts in Berlin, Germany, with concurrent studies in conducting at the Herbert Von Karajan Foundation in Berlin and the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart. Prizewinner in composition competitions in Berlin, Munich, Dresden and Boston. In 1991 awarded a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Texas Tech University. Since 1991 instructor of Russian, German and Fine Arts at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts.

Strings @ LMTA Convention

Hurley School of Music
Centenary College
2901 Woodlawn Avenue
Shreveport, Louisiana

PROGRAM

Thursday, October 23, 2008









1:00-2:00 pm Hurley Building, Anderson Recital Hall
Evangeline Trio .... “Quatuor pour la fin du Temps”
Presenters: Jennifer Carsillo, violin; Ruth Drummond, cello; Gay Grosz, piano; Eric Thomas, clarinet

2:00-3:00 pm Hurley Building, Room 201
Mental Practice: The Key to Successful Memorization
Presenting: Christopher Thompson









3:15-4:15 pm Hurley Building, Anderson Recital Hall
String Music by Todd Gabriel
Presenter: Todd Gabriel and End of Time performers








4:15-4:15 pm Hurley Building, Anderson Recital Hall
Concertante Works of Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1887)
Presenter: Josue Ramirez

Friday, October 24, 2008









8:30-9:30 am Hurley Building, Room 201
Suzuki Violin from Age Zero
Presenter: Samara Humbert









9:30-10:45 am Whited Room, Bynum Commons Dining Hall
A Balancing Act: How to get it all done!
Moderator: Joni Jensen
This session is a panel discussion on college teaching concerns.

12:00-1:15 pm Brown Bag Lunch Whited Room, Bynum
The Ark-La-Tex Chamber Music Project
Presenter: LaWanda Blakeney

1:15-2:15 pm Hurley Building, Anderson Recital Hall
Practical and Efficient Ways of Learning Left-Hand and Right-Hand Techniques on the Violoncello.
Presenter: Evgeni Raychev













2:15-3:15 pm Hurley Building, Anderson Recital Hall
New Music for Low String Ensemble
Presenter: NSU Low Strings Studio Class of Paul Christopher









3:30-4:30 pm Hurley Building, Anderson Recital Hall
French Sonatas for Violin and Piano
Presenters: Lin He, violin and Gregory Sioles, piano









4:30-5:30 pm Hurley Building, Anderson Recital Hall
The Violin-Cello Duets: A Fun and Rewarding Experience,
Presenters: Evgeni Raychev, cello and Jennifer Dalmas, violin

Thursday, October 16, 2008 @ 7:30 pm

Faculty and student recital featuring the NSU Low Strings Ensemble debuting world premier performances of two original commissioned works indicated by bold font in the program listed below.







PROGRAM

Seven Ricercari for Unaccompanied Cello .... D Gabrielli

Number 1 in g minor
Number 3 in D major
Number 6 in G major

Paul Christopher, cello

Ricercare per Quattro Violoncelli .... Kenneth Olson (1950-

Paul Christopher, cello I
Christina Lake, cello II
Grace Moulton, cello III
Jorge Rodriguez, cello IV

INTERMISSION


Suite Number 1 in G major for Unaccompanied Cello .... JS Bach

I. Prelude
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Menuets I and II
VI. Gigue

Paul Christopher, cello


Pauli’s Prelude .... Thomas Hundemer (1954- )

NSU LOW STRINGS ENSEMBLE conducted by MARIO TORRES

Bassi:

Michael Herron of Bossier City, Louisiana

Natalie Johnson of Shreveport, Louisiana

Mitchell Moerhing of Bossier City, Louisiana

Josué Ramirez of San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Brian Williams of Shreveport, Louisiana

Celli:

Richard Campbell of Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Amber Carter of Alexandria, Louisiana

Christine Davis of Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Roger Hall of Marshall, Texas

Laura Helton of Pineville, Louisiana

Christina Lake of Shreveport, Louisiana

Hannah McEvoy of Longview, Texas

Grace Moulton of Big Sandy, Texas

Jorge Rodriguez of San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Micah Sasser of Shreveport, Louisiana

Eva Wilson of Sugarland, Texas


Composition of Pauli’s Prelude was made possible through the generous support of Northwestern State University’s Enrichment Fund Grant Program (NEF PD 07-08 R3-002).

This program was repeated on 10/24/2008 @ LMTA Convention.

Thursday, September 25, 2008 @ 7:30 pm

Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra
Dr. Douglas Bakenhus, Music Director
Magale Recital Hall

PROGRAM

Overture to the "Barber of Seville" .... G. Rossini (1792-1868)

Duo Concertant sur les themes des "Puritains" .... G. Bottesini (1821-1889)

Josue Ramirez, double bass
Paul Christopher, cello

Symphony #7 in A Major .... L.V. Beethoven (1770-1827)

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 @ 4:00 pm

Faculty Recital in Magale






Joseph Lindsay, organ
Paul Christopher, cello

Prière, Opus 158 ..... Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Welcome new low string musicians!

Standing from left to right: Richard Campbell, Michael Herren, Micah Sasser, Hannah McEvoy and Eva Wilson. Front row: Christine Davis and Laura Helton.

Musical Farm Equipment from the University of Iowa

Turn your sound on for this video from the University of Iowa. This is almost unbelievable! See how all of the balls wind up in catcher cones. This incredible machine was built as a collaborative effort between the Robert M. Trammell Music Conservatory and the Sharon Wick School of Engineering at the University of Iowa. Amazingly 97% of the machines components came from John Deere Industries and Irrigation Equipment of Bancroft, Iowa. Yes, farm equipment! It took the team a combined 13,029 hours of set-up, alignment, calibration, and tuning before filming this video but as you can see it was WELL worth the effort. It is now on display in the Matthew Gerhard Alumni Hall at the University and is already slated to be donated to the Smithsonian.

Sunday, August 10, 2008 @ 2:30 pm

Britt Music Festival Chamber Music Program
Westminister Presbyterian Church
Medford, Oregon

PROGRAM includes:

Libertango ..... Astor Piazzolla

Whitney Allen, Rebecca Thornblade,
Ida Mercer and Paul Christopher, celli

Tango Fugue ..... Patrick Horn

E-Chen Hsu, clarinet
Daniela Sheterva, violin
Patrick Horn, viola
Paul Christopher, cello
James Chubet, piano

Duo in D Major ..... Gioachino Rossini
Allegro
Andante molto
Allegro

Bert Witzel, bass and Paul Christopher, cello

Wii for Conductors

Here are 7 things you should know about ... Wii

Christian the Lion

Click here for the rest of the story!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Peter Britt Music Festival
August 1-17, 2008
Jacksonville, Oregon

I will be serving as Acting Principal Cello this summer for the Classical Festival series. Please visit me to attend these wonderful outdoor concerts!

Sunday, July 6, 2008 @ 7:30 pm

DMMO 2008 Chamber Concert Series
Lekberg Recital Hall
Simpson College
Indianola, Iowa




Niuko Wadden, harp
Paul Christopher, cello




Fantasie on Motives from the Opera "Norma"
by Vincenzo Bellini, Opus 73 .... Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)


This performance is dedicated to my wife on our 23rd wedding anniversary.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Dr. Isidor Saslav presented a master class for Mrs. Olson's Central High School String Orchestra students in Magale Recital Hall @ NSU.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Des Moines Metro Opera
36th Anniversary Season
June 9-July 13, 2008
Indianola, Iowa

A Masked Ball by Giuseppe Verdi
Regina by Marc Blitzstein

The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti

I am once again serving as Acting Principal Cellist with DMMO playing three wonderful operas! Please visit me @ Simpson College to attend these productions.

Monday, May 5, 2008

On Monday, May 5, 2008, NSU's Office of Research and Sponsored Programs awarded Mr. Paul Christopher an Enrichment Fund Professional Development grant for the project entitled: "New Music for Low String Ensemble." Funding of this project provides a commission for a composition by a native Louisiana composer, Thomas H. Hundemer, for NSU's low string studio ensemble.

This new work will be premiered on October 21, 2008, (tentative date) at NSU with a repeat performance on October 23 or 24, 2008, at the Louisiana Music Teacher's Association annual conference meeting at Centenary College in Shreveport. Mr. Christopher undertook this project because of the lack of compositions for this ensemble. In building a low string studio class, this composition fills a void while also promoting NSU's music program in a state-wide venue.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 @ 11:00 am

The Piatigorsky Foundation presents a free solo piano concert
featuring Doris Stevenson

Roy O. Martin Lumber Company
2189 Memorial Drive
Alexandria, LA 71301

More information: 318.483.3875

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Senior Cello Recital featuring Daniel Jang
Treen Auditorium @ 7:00 pm
Louisiana School for the Math, Science and Arts

PROGRAM

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Solo Cello Suite #3 in C Major .... Johann Sebastian Bach
Bourrees I and II

Daniel Jang, cello

Suite in a minor, opus 53, #2 .... Jacques Offenbach
Allegro-Andante-Allegro

Daniel Jang and Paul Christopher, celli

Sonata #3 in A Major, opus 69 .... Ludwig Van Beethoven
I.Allegro man non tanto
II. Scherzo: Allegro molto
III. Adagio cantabile: Allegro vivace

Daniel Jang, cello

Dr. Charles Jones, piano

How to Play in Tune on Stringed Instruments

Dr. Isidor Saslav, guest author, published an article in the String Area section of the Spring Score, which is Louisiana Music Teacher's Association newsletter.

This insightful article discusses the scientific acoustical principles involved in How to Play in Tune on Stringed Instruments. It is a thorough expose on the subject taking into account Dr. Saslav's over 50 years of experience as a violinist, concertmaster and teacher.

Also, please check out the LMTA website at http://lmta.org/

Giovanni Bottesini: a little documentary, part 1

Josue Ramirez, graduate bassist, created this inspirational documentary about the legendary bassist and composer, Giovanni Bottesini. Click to watch his 7 minute and 16 second video:

Giovanni Bottesini: a little documentary, part 2

Josue Ramirez, graduate bassist, created this documentary lasting 8 minute and 37 seconds that I'm sure you'll enjoy:

Monday, April 28, 2008

Low Strings Ensemble Recital

The Cello and Bass Studio of Mr. Paul Christopher
Magale Recital Hall @ 5:00 p.m.

PROGRAM

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Sonata in C major .... Luigi Boccherini
I. Allegro moderato
II. Largo
III. Allegro

Mary Beth Widhalm and Mr. Paul Christopher, celli

Ave Maria, Opus 41 .... Wilhelm Fitzenhagen

Humoreske, Opus 5, #2 .... Julius Klengel

NSU Cello Studio Class

Elegy in D Major .... G. Bottesini

Josué Ramirez, bass
Raúl Munguía and Saul Carcamo, violins
Mario Torres, viola
Jorge Rodriguez, cello

Oblivion .... Astor Piazzolla

NSU Bass Studio Class

Duo Concertant sur les thèmes des ‘Puritains’ ..... G. Bottesini

Mr. Paul Christopher, cello
Josué Ramirez, bass
Elena Bogaczova, piano

Yesterday .... John Lennon & Paul McCartney (arr. H.G. Pick)

The NSU Low Strings Studio Ensemble
Amber Carter, Christina Lake,
Grace Moulton, Mary Beth Widhalm,
Brett Andrews, Roger Hall and Jorge Rodriguez, celli
Natalie Johnson, Eric Carter, Justin Donald,

Mitch Moerhing, Josué Ramirez and Brian Williams, bassi
Mr. Paul Christopher, Assistant Professor of Low Strings

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Sunday, April 27, 2008

Brian Williams' Senior Recital
Magale Recital Hall @ 3:00 pm

PROGRAM

---

Sonata #2 in c minor .... Alessandro Scarlatti
I.Largo
II. Allegretto
III. Largo
IV. Presto

Brian Williams, bass
Kevin Gay, piano

Sonata in B flat major, K. 292 .... W.A. Mozart
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Rondo

Brian Williams, bass
Paul Christopher, cello

Concerto in F major .... Antonio Capuzzi
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante cantabile
III. Rondo: Allegro

Brian Williams, bass
Kevin Gay, piano

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Induction into Phi Mu Alpha, the oldest music fraternity in the United States. Dr. Bakenhus and I are thankful to our Phi Mu Alpha brothers for this honor!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Student Recital MUS 1500
Magale Recital Hall @ 4:00 pm

Concerto #1 in A minor, opus 33 ..... C. Saint-Saens
I: Allegro non troppo

Grace Moulton, cello
Peter Kysela, piano

Grand Duo Concertante #1 ..... G. Bottesini
II: Adagio

Mario Torres, viola
Josue Ramirez, bass

POSTPONED

Student Recital: MUS 1350
Magale Recital Hall @ 7:30 pm
Le Quattro with guest artist Josuè Ramirez, bass


PROGRAM

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String Quartet in D major, Opus 64, #5, “The Lark” .... FJ Haydn
I. Allegro moderato
II. Adagio cantabile
III. Minuetto: Allegro
IV. Finale: Vivace

String Quartet in F major, Opus 18, #1 .... Ludwig Van Beethoven
I. Allegro con brio
II. Adagio affetuoso ed appassionato
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Allegro

Fuga con Pajarillo .... Aldemoro Romero

Le Quattro
Raúl Munguía, violin I
Saul Carcamo, violin II
Mario Torres, viola
Jorge Rodriguez, cello

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faculty coach: Paul Christopher

Monday, April 21, 2008

Student Recital: MUS 1350
Magale Hall @ 6:00 pm

Sonata en quatre parties pour violon et violoncello .... M. Ravel
I. Allegro
II. Très Vif
III. Lent
IV. Vif, avec entrain

"Dumky" in E minor, Opus 90, for violin, cello and piano .... A. Dvorak
I. Lento maestoso-Allegro quasi doppio
II. Poco Adagio-Vivace non troppo
III. Andante-Vivace non troppo
IV. Andante moderato-Allegretto scherzando
V. Allegro
VI. Lento maestoso-Vivace quasi doppio

Brett Andrews, cello
Edward Charity, violin
Peter Kysela, piano

---

faculty coach, Paul Christopher

Monday, April 14, 2008

2008 Composer-in-Residence: Conni Ellisor
Chamber Music Concet
Magale Recital Hall @ 7:30 pm

PROGRAM

---

Best of Goodbyes, a suite in four movements

Unfolding

Dream Trilogy

Three Songs
When You Love Someone (G. Peters, arranged C. Ellisor)
Uncivil War (G. Peters, arranged C. Ellisor)
Beloved Enemy

Intermission

Selections from Renaissance to Irish Folk

Air on an Old Highland Melody

Black Dog (JP Jones, J Page, R Plant, arranged C. Ellisor)

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Guest Artists: Conni Ellisor, violin and piano
John Mock, guitar, percussion, whistle, concertina and recorder
NSU Faculty: Dr. Denette McDermott, flute
Terry Sanders, soprano
Dr. Andrej Kurti, violin
Paul Christopher, cello
NSU Students: Mario Torres, viola
Josue Ramirez, bass

A sincere thank you to the Department of Student Activities for their help in Sponsoring this concert

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Northwestern State University 21st Annual Research Day
Student Union Ballroom @ 12:00 noon-12:25 pm

Wilhelm Fitzenhagen and the Cello Ensemble
Brett Andrews, lead presenter
Paul Christopher, faculty sponsor

---

PROGRAM

Rococo Variations, Opus 33 ..... PI Tchaikovsky (1848-1890)
Variation no. 6

Brett Andrews, cello and Micheal Rorex, piano

Ave Maria, Opus 41 ..... W Fitzenhagen (1848-1890)

Brett Andrews, Christina Lake, Grace Moulton
and Mary Beth Widhalm, celli

---

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Paul Christopher in Concert

Columbia State Community College

Cherry Theater @ 7:00 pm

PROGRAM

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Serenade, Ballade, and Mussette ..... J Offenbach (1819-1880)

Emily Gaskill, piano

Solo Cello Suite Number 2 in d minor ..... JS Bach (1685-1750)
Prelude
Allemenade
Courante
Sarabande
Menuett I and II
Gigue

Romance in D Major, Opus 51; Allegro Appassionato, Opus 43; and
The Swan ..... C Saint-Saens (1835-1921)

Marilyn Adams, piano

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With additional lecture performances on March 18 and 19 @ 11:00 am
Funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission and Columbia State's Lyceum Group

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

MUS 1500 Student Recital
Magale Recital Hall @ 4:00 pm
PROGRAM

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Sonata for Violin and Cello ..... M. Ravel (1875-1937)
Tres Vif

Edward Charity, violin
Brett Andrews, cello
Paul Christopher, MUS 1350 coach

Quartet for Horn & Strings in E-flat Major ..... Mozart (1756-1791)
Allegro

Edward Charity, violin
Lianne Huff and Paul Adams, violas
Brett Andrews, cello
Adam Black, french horn

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Saturday, March 15, 2008

Guest Artist Master Class
Sergio Acerb, double bassist
Florida State University at Tallahassee
Magale Recital Hall @ 2:00 pm


Josue Ramirez, graduate student
Natalie Johnson, undergraduate student
Sergio Acerb, guest artist
Dr. Paul Forsyth, faculty sponsor

Saturday, March 15, 2008

NSU Faculty, Guest Artist and Student Recital
Magale Recital Hall @ 7:30 pm


PROGRAM

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Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667, "The Trout Quintet"

F. Schubert (1797-1828)

Allegro vivace
Andante
Scherzo: Presto
Andante (Theme & Variations)
Allegro giusto

Dr. Andrej Kurti, violin
Mario Torres, viola
Paul Christopher, cello
Josue Ramirez, bass
Katerina Zaitseva, piano

Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Opus 44

R. Schumann (1810-1856)

Allegro brillante
In modo d'una Marcia un poco largamento
Scherzo: Molto vivace
Allegro ma non troppo

Dr. Andrej Kurti, violin I
Raul Mungia, violin II
Mario Torres, viola
Paul Christopher, cello
Dr. Nikita Fitenko, piano

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This program will be repeated
Sunday, April 6, 2008, @ 2:30 pm
Coughlin-Sanders Performing Arts Center
Alexandria, Louisiana

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

McCutcheon Honors Recital
Magale Recital Hall @ 4:00 pm
Brett Andrews, cellist



PROGRAM

Cello Suite #2 in D minor ..... J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Sarabande

The High School of Cello Playing ..... D. Popper (1843-1913)
Etude #22 in G Major, Opus 73

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Thursday, March 6, 2008

NSU Faculty Recital
Chris Gilliam, Baritone
Magale Recital Hall @ 7:30 pm



PROGRAM


Excerpts from the "Saint Matthew Passion" ..... J.S. Bach
Gebt mir meinan Jesum weider
Am Abend, da kuhle war
Mache dich, mein Herze, rein

Dover Beach, Op. 3 ..... Samuel Barber
Dr. Andrej Kurti, violin
Edward Charity, violin
Lianne Huff, viola
Paul Christopher, cello

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

MUS 1500 Student Recital

PROGRAM

Amazing Grace ..... John Newton, arranged by V. Wooten

Josue Ramirez, electric bass

Sonata in B-flat major, K292 ..... W.A. Mozart, arr. by J. Werner
for Bassoon and Cello
I. Andante
II. Rondo

Brian Williams, bass
Paul Christopher, cello

Conni Ellisor: 2008 Composer-in-Residence

Original Compositions by Conni Ellisor
Chamber Music on Monday, April 14, 2008
Orchestra Concert on Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Magale Hall @ 7:30 pm

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Check out "Connie's blog" to ask questions about her compositions prior to her visit at NSU.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Student Recital on MUS 1500 @ 4:00 pm



Gavotte ............................. Guiseppe Lorenzitti
Mitch Moehring, bass
Alexandra Ognanoska, piano

Friday, January 18, 2008

Welcome to cellists, Jorge and Grace,
newest members of the NSU low strings studio!