News Release

Spring blossoms with UNC music;
50-plus performances planned

CHAPEL HILL - The 30th anniversary of the Carolina Jazz Festival is part of more than 50 concerts and events scheduled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during the spring semester.

The department of music will present a variety of programs beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 13) with the All-Carolina Male Choral Invitational in Hill Hall. Other season highlights include Bach's "Mass in B minor" performed with period instruments; opera and musical theater; chamber ensembles and large-scale symphonies in addition to the Jazz Festival.

"From Bach to Weill, Haydn to Stravinsky, jazz to the musical avant-garde, this semester's offerings demonstrate the best of faculty and students at UNC-Chapel Hill," said Dr. Tim Carter, chairman of the music department.

Music department ensembles include chamber string quartets, Latin jazz combos, a classical opera company, an Indonesian gamelan orchestra, classical guitar ensembles and a 100-seat symphony orchestra. Gamelan ensembles typically are composed of instruments such as xylophones, drums, gongs, bamboo flutes, string instruments and sometimes vocalists.

The annual William S. Newman Artist Series and Music on the Hill series will feature world-renown faculty and guests performing in Memorial Hall, with special discounted ticket rates for UNC students, faculty and staff.

To obtain a listing for the entire concert season, visit the music calendar online at http://music.unc.edu or call (919) 962-1039. Additional contact information also is listed in the highlights below. Unless otherwise noted, tickets for events listed below are $15 for the public and $10 for UNC students, faculty and staff.

Jan. 20
Vega Quartet with pianist William Ransom
8 p.m.
Beasley-Curtis Auditorium, Memorial Hall
Part of the William S. Newman Artist Series and Music on the Hill Series, the program will feature works by Bartók, Dvorák and Haydn. Call (919) 843-3333 for more information.

Feb. 3
Music on the Hill
8 p.m.
Beasley-Curtis Auditorium, Memorial Hall
The series performance will feature renditions of Weill's "Mahagonny Songspiel" and Stravinsky's "L'Histoire du Soldat." Call (919) 843-3333 for more information.

Feb. 13
Music on the Hill
7:30 p.m.
Beasley-Curtis Auditorium, Memorial Hall
The Carolina Wind Quintet with pianist and UNC assistant music professor Dr. Mayron Tsong will perform works by Poulenc and Harbison. Call (919) 843-3333 for more information.

Feb. 22
UNC Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Hill Hall
The program will feature student winners of the 2006 Concerto Competition in a special scholarship benefit concert. Call (919) 962-1039 for more information.

Feb. 28 - March 3
Carolina Jazz Festival
The 30th anniversary of the annual festival will feature various events, concerts and workshops with special guests. Performance locations and ticket prices will soon be available online through the music department. For updates and information, visit http://music.unc.edu/calendars/jazz-festival/.

March 6
Festival of Contemporary Music
7:30 p.m.
Beasley-Curtis Auditorium, Memorial Hall
Music on the Hill and the Milestones Music Festival will present the UNC Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Singers and the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra. Call (919) 843-3333 for more information.

April 10-11
'The Old Maid and The Thief'
7:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Hill Hall
UNC Opera will present Gian Carlo Menotti's classic work, which originally was conceived for radio in the 1930s. Free to the public. Call (919) 962-1039 for more information.

April 17
Music on the Hill
7:30 p.m.
Beasley-Curtis Auditorium, Memorial Hall
The series will present the UNC Symphony Orchestra with music professor and violinist Richard Luby. The program will feature Stravinsky's "Violin Concerto" and Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 3." Call (919) 843-3333 for more information.

April 26
Bach's 'Mass in B minor'
7:30 p.m.
Beasley-Curtis Auditorium, Memorial Hall
Presented by the William S. Newman Artist Series and Music on the Hill Series, the program will feature the Carolina Choir and Ensemble Courant. Call (919) 843-3333 for more information.

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Music department contact: Glenn McDonald, (919) 962-1039, gmcdonal@email.unc.edu
College of Arts and Sciences contact: Kim Spurr, (919) 962-4093, spurrk@email.unc.edu