Parents of Syracuse University students and the University and Central New York communities are in for a variety of musical treats as students in the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music "strut their stuff" during an eclectic array of performances Nov. 8 and 9. All of the concerts are free and open to the public and will be held in the Rose and Jules R. Setnor Auditorium.
"Very few people are aware of the immense talent and diversity of the Setnor student body," says Joseph Downing, director of the Setnor School of Music. "The Parents Weekend concerts are when students emerge from their basement practice rooms and really show off for their favorite audience-their parents."
Kicking off the weekend of musical events will be a series of performances by University ensembles. The first concert will begin at 5 p.m. Nov. 8 and will feature the University Singers, directed by G. Burton Harbison, one of six choral ensembles in the Setnor School of Music; Windjammer, a vocal jazz ensemble directed by Trish Oney; the SU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Joe Riposo and John Coggolia; and the Symphony Band, directed by Bradley Ethington.
Performing at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 will be the SU Women's Choir, directed by Barbara Tagg; the Brazilian Ensemble, directed by Joshua Dekaney; the SU Wind Ensemble, the University's premier concert band, directed by John Laverty; and the SU Orchestra, directed by James Tapia.
Both concerts will be followed by receptions in Room 308 of Crouse College.
The lineup for Saturday, Nov. 9 includes an "A Cappella Afternoon" beginning at 1 p.m. The concert will feature the University's premier a cappella groups, including the all-male "Orange Appeal" and the all-female "Mandarins."
Students will let loose during the final concert-the "Parents Weekend Cabaret" at 8 p.m. Nov. 9-where they have an opportunity to showcase their individual talents. The concert will include an eclectic mix of performers who auditioned for an opportunity to be on the program. The lineup includes vocalists performing jazz, Broadway tunes, Pop, and classical music, an acoustic and electric guitar performer, a pianist, tap dancer, lyrical dancer and a belly dancer.
A reception will follow the cabaret in Room 308 of Crouse College.
"Student coordinators put together the programs for all of the concerts, coordinate with the concert directors and make sure the auditorium is set up for the concerts," says Tad Matsuura, a senior in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, who is co-producing the Parents Weekend musical program with Dana Wise, a VPA junior. "We're excited about this year's mix of performances."
