Dana School of Music announces new ensemble-in-residence
March 5, 2021
YSU’s Dana School of Music has announced the formation of a new faculty ensemble-in-residence, to be known as the Dana Ensemble.
The ensemble is comprised of a flexible, modular roster of Dana School of Music faculty that will perform live concerts multiple times each semester in the area’s iconic performance spaces, often joined by regional guest artists.
“One of the only positive things that might be said about the surreal reality in which we have existed over the past year is that we in the arts in higher education have been forced to think in different ways and look at our realities through various lenses," Cliffe College of Creative Arts dean Phyllis Paul said. "In the Cliffe College, our faculty have utilized this time of collective crisis to lead with innovation and the development of several new collaborations that add tremendous value and expanded dimensions to YSU and our community. The Dana Ensemble is one of the most important of these new endeavors and is a historic facet that furthers the proud legacy of the Dana School of Music.”
Although the renowned Dana faculty have played with many regional ensembles over the years, the Dana Ensemble marks the first time they have formed a collective group of professional musicians from all studio areas in the school to perform together on a regular basis. Their diverse talents and artistry will be showcased in concerts featuring multiple musical genres that will engage audience members of all ages.
The ensemble will perform its debut concert, “Sounds of Spring,” Sunday, March 28 at 3:00 PM at the Powers Auditorium in the DeYor Performing Arts Center in downtown Youngstown. It will feature guest artists Helen Welch, who is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, entertainer, producer and band-leader, and saxophonist Dave Kana. Together, these talented musicians will perform pop, folk, blues, and jazz music arranged for chamber ensemble by professor of music Dave Morgan.
The program will also include songs by Michel Legrand, Jimmy Webb, Paul McCartney, Ariel Ramirez, Billy Strayhorn, Wayne Shorter, and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
The Dana Ensemble is comprised of clarinetist Alice Wang; trombonist Andrew Mitchell; hornist Sean Yancer; violinist Wendy Case; violinist Sara Schaft; violist Caitlin Hedge; celloist Kivie Cahn-Lipman; bassist Dave Morgan; guitarist Francois Fowler; pianist Cicilia Yudha; and drummer and percussionist Glenn Schaft.
The concert will last approximately 80 minutes, with no intermission.
The ensemble will perform its second concert, “The Society for Public Musical Performance,” Sunday, May 2 at 3:00 PM also at the Powers Auditorium. The program will include three orchestral pieces arranged by Arnold Schoenberg, and the concert will also feature the world premiere of music composed by University of Akron faculty member Jamie Wilding, which was commissioned by Cliffe College for the new ensemble.
The capacity of the Powers Auditorium is restricted to 300 patrons. Tickets for both concerts secure reserved seating on the main floor of the concert hall. Patrons are advised to purchase tickets in advance by visiting www.deyorpac.org or by calling the DeYor Box Office at (330) 259 - 9651. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Reserved tickets are $10.00 each, senior citizen tickets are $9.00 each, and tickets are free for anyone with a valid YSU ID. Ticket prices are inclusive of the DeYor convenience fee.
All social distancing practices will be enforced. Guests will be required to wear masks and remain in their ticketed seat for the duration of the concerts.
After the live events, both concerts will be available to view on the Cliffe College YouTube channel.