Staff Report
As Fredonia buckles down for the Spring semester, students can be happy knowing there are some treats from the music department on the way.
After hits from last semester like the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra’s “An Evening Ella and Ellington” and the Shanghai Quartet, some might think that it will be hard to top, but there’s enough this spring to make any music enthusiast get fortissimo.
Dr. Gerald Gray, director of choral activities, as well as a distinguished tenor, was asked about the upcoming semester. “Huge” was how he described the semester, specifically with the performance of the “St. Matthew Passion” on March 9. The show will be at 7 p.m. and will feature the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Students can expect to see soloists William Hite, Aaron Engebreth and other faculty soloists.
Gray will be conducting the Passion on the evening of the ninth alongside the Buffalo Philharmonic. The show will feature the Fredonia Masterworks Chorus, Chancel Choir of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Buffalo and the Chautauqua Youth Chorus.
This isn’t the first time in Gray’s career that he’s collaborated with the Buffalo Philharmonic. When asked about past involvement, Gray replied, “I’ve been a guest conductor with them on several occasions, specifically in 2012 when I guest conducted in Handel’s ‘Messiah.’”
The “St. Matthew Passion” will take place in King Concert Hall on the Fredonia campus. Student tickets are on sale for $10, and general population tickets are priced at $25. Tickets can be obtained either online, by phone or at the Fredonia Ticket Office.
A couple weeks before the “St. Matthew Passion” is the Fredonia Bass Festival on Feb. 27. Brett Shurtliffe teaches bass lessons here on campus. Along with setting up every aspect of the event, Shurtliffe will also be running a high school solo competition, sitting on the panel of judges, and presenting master classes during the event, one of which deals with overcoming performance anxiety.
When asked why Fredonia students should be excited about Bass Fest, Shurtliffe responded:
“There will be four of New York’s best bassists in one place. Each one of the faculty [members] will give a class on a topic of their expertise. On top of that, the students will get a chance to see the best high school talent from across the state in a live competition. At the end of the day, the faculty will get together to play a one-of-a-kind recital, with virtuosic solo works for bass as well as duos and quartets. There will also be local music shop owners in Mason with basses and accessories for trying out and purchase.”
Thanks to Shurtliffe, Fredonia students will be able to take advantage of a number of things on the 27th. The event runs all day, and even if students aren’t bassists, they’re encouraged to attend. There will be great performances, classes and merchandise for sale.