UW-Madison Varsity Band returns to Hamilton Fine Arts Center on February 28
UW-Madison Varsity Band Show – Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. Under the direction of legendary Michael Leckrone, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Varsity Band returns as a Hamilton Fine Arts Center (HFAC) tradition!
Badger fans are treated to the familiar strains of "Varsity," "On Wisconsin," "Songs to Thee Wisconsin" and "You've Said it All” during their traditional Fifth Quarter. In addition, this year’s themes are “Sounds of the Beach Boys,” “The Musical Legacy of Michael Jackson,” “The Legend of Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa,” “Miss Saigon” and “Amen…A Celebration of Gospel Music.”
More than 200 of Michael Leckrone’s arrangements and compositions for marching band and concert band have been published. He has been cited a “Badger Legend” by the Governor of Wisconsin, was named a “Madison Musical Legend” by Madison Magazine, designated one of the Wisconsin State Journal’s “Sesquicentennial People of Note” and was selected an honorary member of the National “W” Club. The University of Wisconsin also has honored him with an appointment to a prestigious John Bascom Professorship. In 2007 he was presented with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music. This was only the second time this preeminent award has been conferred.
Leckrone is now in his 41st year as director of the Wisconsin Band. The performance is sponsored by the HFAC and supported by the Hamilton High School Band Booster Club.
Tickets are for reserved seating. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (55+) and $10 for students.
Special guest performances The Hamilton Fine Arts Center is pleased to announce special guest performances by the Master Singers of Milwaukee and the Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra throughout the 2009-10 performing arts season. Both groups have made a commitment to collaborate with the students of the Hamilton School District to provide musical guidance and performance opportunities Master Singers and Ko-Thi Dance in Voices of Liberation-March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Voices, drums and African dance combine in a unique concert experience for Milwaukee audiences in early March.
The Master Singers of Milwaukee and Ko-Thi African Dance come together for a performance of Missa Luba, a Catholic Mass in the Congolese style for tenor soloist, chorus and percussion. In this unprecedented collaboration, Ko-Thi Dance founding Artistic Director Ferne Yangyeitie Caulker will create original choreography for Ko-Thi dancers to perform during the Mass movements. Missa Luba captures the style of performance developed by a Catholic priest, Fr. Guido Haazen, working with a choir of men and boys in the Congo in the early 1960's. Energetic drumming propels every movement of the 15-minute work.
Although the musical arrangement is thoroughly notated, much improvisation is required from the chorus and percussionists. Ko-Thi Dance will offer several shorter selections without chorus, and the Master Singers will offer a segment of a cappella music for choir without the dances and drums, so the evening will be well-rounded and diverse.
The choir's selections include “Glory Hallelujah,” an up-tempo Gospel-style work by Milwaukee composer Wallace Cheatham. Music by Bobby McFerrin and other traditional African works complete the musical selections.
Tickets are for general seating. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (55+) and $10 for students. For more information, view the website at www.mastersingersofmilwaukee.org.
Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra presents “National Treasures” – May 8 at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” Tickets are for general seating. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (55+) and $6 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at www.HamiltonFineArtsCenter.com or by visiting the HFAC box office on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Hamilton Fine Arts Center is located at W220 N6151 Townline Road, Sussex. No phone orders accepted, please.
