In 2014, the Blair School of Music celebrates 50 years of educating musicians in Nashville. Initially the Blair Academy of Music, which was devoted to teaching music to precollege and adult students, the Blair School has thrived, growing and expanding its mission over 50 years to become one of the nation’s highly esteemed music schools, educating precollege, collegiate and adult learners in the art and discipline of music.
A series of anniversary celebrations and festivities is planned, starting with this gala concert that pulls from the Blair School’s past, present and future.
In a salute to Blair’s roots and its future, Sean Calhoun, a senior composition major and graduate of our precollege program, has composed a special anniversary piece to be performed by fellow graduates of the precollege program. Signature faculty ensembles the Blair String Quartet, Blair Woodwind Quintet, and Blair Brass Quintet will also perform. Finally, a combination of collegiate, precollege and alumni singers and musicians will perform John Rutter’s celebrated Mass of the Children. A reception in Ingram Lobby will follow the performance.
Blair School of Music 50th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Ingram Hall, 3 p.m.
The Hit, by Jay Dawson (b. 1947)
Blair Brass Quintet: Allan Cox, trumpet; Pat Kunkee, trumpet; Leslie Norton, horn; Jeremy Wilson, trombone; Gilbert Long, tuba
Welcome
Mark Wait, Dean of the Blair School of Music
String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130, by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1927)
Presto
Cavatina: Adagio molto espressivo
Blair String Quartet: Christian Teal, violin; Cornelia Heard, violin; John Kochanowski, viola; Felix Wang, cello
Reminiscence
Jane Kirchner, Associate Professor of Flute, Emerita
Quintet No. 1 for Winds, by Endre Szervánszky (1911-1977)
Allegro Vivace
Blair Woodwind Quintet: Philip Dikeman, flute; Jared Hauser, oboe; Bil Jackson, clarinet; Leslie Norton, horn; Peter Kolkay, bassoon
Reminiscence
David Cassel, Associate Professor of Music
Divertimento, by Sean William Calhoun (b. 1992)
World premiere performance of a piece commissioned by the Blair School for this 50th anniversary concert
Nathan Lowry, violin (Precollege class of 2012, B.Mus. Blair, 2016)
Collin Lewis, clarinet (Precollege class of 2011, B. Mus. Blair, 2015)
Wesley Skinner, cello (Precollege class of 2009, B.Mus. Cleveland Institute, 2013)
Sean William Calhoun, piano (Precollege class of 2010, B.Mus. Blair, 2014)
Intermission
Rondo in G, Op. 34, No. 2, by Ferdinando Carulli (1770-1841)
Nolan Harvel and John Johns, guitars
Reminiscence
Tucker Biddlecombe, Director of Choral Activities
Mass of the Children, by John Rutter (b. 1945)
Vanderbilt Symphonic Choir and Blair Children’s Chorus, Tucker Biddlecombe, conductor
Soloists:
Jordan Amann, soprano; Joe Ciulla, baritone
Instrumentalists:
Lillian Pollack, flute (Blair 2017)
Daniel Cutchen, oboe (Blair 2014)
Collin Lewis, clarinet (precollege class of 2011, Blair 2015)
Selina Magid, bassoon (Blair 2016)
Andrew Warfield, horn (Blair 2014)
Liam Underwood, timpani (Blair 2016)
Zachary Bowers, percussion (Blair 2011)
Amy Thompson, harp (precollege class of 2012, Blair 2016)
Jacob Schafer, violin I (precollege class of 2011; Yale 2015)
Annie Bender, violin I (precollege class of 2012; Colburn 2016)
Kameron Myers, violin I (precollege class of 2012; Memphis 2016)
Mary Grace Johnson, violin II (precollege class of 2013. Blair 2017)
Jesse Kasinger, violin II (precollege class of 2011; Memphis 2015)
Joshua Palazzolo, violin II (precollege class of 2012; Memphis 2016)
William Bender, viola (precollege class of 2011, Julliard 2015)
Olivia Palazzolo, viola (precollege class of 2015)
MaryGrace Bender, cello (precollege class of 2014)
Matthew Palazzolo, cello (precollege class of 2013; Memphis 2017)
David Bender, double bass (precollege class of 2015)