Live music returns to the University of Toledo’s Spring Festival of New Music, which will feature for the first time a UT faculty member, David Jex.
Jex, who has taught music theory, composition, and jazz studies, is a prolific composer. Nigel Burgoine, artistic director of the Ballet Theatre of Toledo, regularly turns to Jex for new productions, but Jex has created many other compositions, including Sweet Sorrows: Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Concert Band; Three Dances for Baritone, Saxophone, and Piano; Air Sculptures for Brass Quintet; Celebration for Art Tatum, and more.
His recordings include Connections, Revealed, and Links: New Concertos for Saxophone and Wind Ensemble.
The festival begins on Wednesday at 7 p.m. with a scene from Jex and Christine Child’s opera The Purple Gang. The scene includes an aria and a duet at the Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall, 1910 W. Rocket Dr.
Jex will hold a discussion with UT students on Thursday at 1:30 p.m., where he will talk about music composition techniques and how to prepare a composition to enter UT/Craig's Student Composition Contest.
Later, at 7 p.m., a concert will be held in Doermann Theatre in University Hall.
The UT Chorus under the direction of Professor David Hahn will sing "Psalms of Peace" [2006] and a movement from Celebration for Art Tatum [1987]. Celebration was initially commissioned and premiered by the Clarence Smith Community Chorus and has been performed often by area vocal ensembles.
The UT Orchestra, directed by Professor Norm Damschroder, will perform "Generations" [1989] and "Festive Dance" [2022]. The Toledo Youth Orchestra commissioned “Generations” and premiered it at the annual Midwest Music Clinic in Chicago. "Festive Dance" is from the 2022 score of Little Mermaid performed by the Ballet Theatre of Toledo.
Jason Stumbo will conduct the UT Wind Ensemble in a performance of "Illuminations," commissioned in 2009 by the UT College of Arts and Sciences.
■ Maumee Bay Brewing Co. Ice House, 27 Broadway St., Toledo, Thursday at 7 p.m.: Toledo Jazz Orchestra Bistro Series: Tumbao Bravo. This exciting Cuban jazz band has performed at all the major Michigan jazz and music festivals. All band members have won or been nominated for individual Detroit Music Awards as well teach at University of Michigan, Washtenaw Community College, jazz camps, and music studios. Tickets are $35. Go to toledojazz.org.
■ Conn-Weissenberger American Legion Post 587, 2020 Alexis Rd., April 16, 5 to 8 p.m.: Voices of Harmony benefit dinner and concert featuring Voices of Harmony, TMS quartet, Anthony Wayne High School Close Harmony, and Van Buren High School Knightlife. The event is a fund-raising effort to help offset costs of competing at the Barbershop International Convention in Charlotte this summer. Dinner is pulled pork with beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. Water, tea, and coffee provided. Cash bar. Dinner and concert is $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 5 to 13. Concert only is $15 for attendees ages 5 and older. Purchase in advance by April 12 at thevoicesofharmony.org.
■ Lucille's Jazz Lounge at TolHouse, 1447 N. Summit St., Suite C, Thursday, 7 p.m.: The Rob Crozier Jazz Ensemble is based in Ann Arbor and focused on presenting the work of the singing bassist/multi-instrumentalist/composer Rob Crozier. This fine group continues to wow audiences with its high energy approach to modern jazz. Crozier, bass and vocals; Rob Avsharian, drums; Steve Wood, saxophone; Phil Lesky, piano. Tickets are $10 to $15. Visit lucillesjazzclub.com.
■ Original Sub Shop & Deli, 402 Broadway St., Friday, 7 p.m.: Andrew Brown's Djangophonique bring their hot jazz back to Toledo for another Over Yonder Concert House performance. Tickets are $20. Visit overyonderconcerthouse.com.
■ Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Friday, 7 p.m.: Tiffin University FestiVox presented by Tiffin University, featuring Selame Scarlett, Trist Curless, Prisca, Brian Fitzy, and Tiffin University’s Up In the Air & Higher Ground. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. Call the box office at 419-448-8544 or go to tiffinmusic.com/festivox.html.
■ St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4718 Brittany Rd., Monday, 7:30 p.m.: Sphinx Virtuosi. General admission is $30; students are $5. Order tickets online at brownpapertickets.com/event/5394630 or call the church office at 419-531-1616.
■ Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Sunday, 3 p.m.: The winning groups from the Wayland Student Chamber Competition at Bowling Green State University will perform in the Toledo Museum of Art Great Gallery. This event is free and open to the public. Visit events.bgsu.edu.
■ Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, 2445 Monroe St., Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.: Brahms’s delightful and lyrical Symphony No. 2 is paired with Bartók’s Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta, one of his most recognizable works. Alain Trudel, conductor. Tickets are $10 to $52. Go to toledosymphony.com or call 419-246-8000.
■ Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, Saturday, 8 p.m.: Around the World in 60 minutes. Mezzo soprano Rebecca Myers, with pianist Sarah Thune, explores some of the world’s most notable art song composers. Featuring works by Franz Schubert, Gabriel Fauré, Manuel de Falla, and Aaron Copland. Tickets are $10 to $45.
Sunday, 2 p.m.: Ellen Rowe’s All About the Trio: Time for Tyner. The Trio will celebrate McCoy Tyner, one of the most influential pianists in jazz history. The Trio will discuss elements of Tyner’s style, and perform such tunes as “Inception,” “Passion Dance,” and “Search for Peace.” Tickets are $10 to $45. Call 734-769-2999, email kch@kerrytownconcerthouse.com, or visit kerrytownconcerthouse.com.
■ Epworth United Methodist Church, 4855 W. Central Ave., Monday, 1 p.m.: The Monday Musicale program features Monday Musicale Members Elaine Hesser, voice, Barbara Harris and Heidi Clausius, piano, guests Kristin Kunkle, voice, and Cecil Baughman, organist at Epworth. Free. Visit epworth.com.
■ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 428 Erie St., April 9 at 5 p.m., and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 5866 Heatherdowns Blvd., Palm Sunday, April 10, at 7 p.m.: Toledo Choral Society performs The Seven Last Words of Christ by Theodore Dubois with organ and soloists. Free. Visit toledochoralsociety.org.
Send news of music to Heather Denniss at hdenniss@theblade.com at least one week ahead of your event.
First Published March 30, 2022, 4:44 p.m.
