UNF Chorale to Perform with Star Wars: In Concert

Star Wars: In Concert

The UNF Chorale Ensemble, directed by Dr. Cara Tasher, have been invited to serve as the core singing ensemble for Star Wars: In Concert for all Florida performances.

Star Wars: In Concert is a unique event that combines John Williams’ unforgettable music, performed by a live symphony orchestra and chorus, with specially edited footage from all six Star Wars films. Learn more.

2009-10 Concert Calendar

The Sounds of Music

Our 2009-10 concert calendar is set. For full details on upcoming events, please visit our calendar page. For ticket information, please contact the ticket box office at 620-2878.

UNF Department of Music Professor's New CD

UNF Jazz Studies Bass Professor Dennis Marks

Dennis Marks, University of North Florida professor of jazz bass, has a new album. Well, it's recorded, but it's not released. He and Doug Bickel, director of jazz piano at University of Miami's Frost School of Music, recorded the CD as the Bickel/Marks Group.
Read more.

The Awesome Osprey Band Returns

Directed by Professor Dr. Marc Dickman

The Osprey Band is made up of up to 30 of UNF’s finest musicians. The primary mission of the Osprey Band is to enhance UNF spirit and add excitement and fun to UNF basketball games, Homecoming, and other events. Read more.

2009 Florida Clarinet Extravaganza!

Featuring James Campbell, Richard Stoltzman, Derek Bermel, and More

The University of North Florida’s Department of Music presents Florida Clarinet Extravaganza!, a series of performances and master classes for clarinet, March 5th through the 9th at the UNF Fine Arts Center. All events are free and open to the public. Read more.

2008 Nantes Jazz Festival Features UNF Jazz Students

Prof. Barry Greene, Stefano Dibella, Sergio Valdes, and Clayton Hackett

Lead by Professor Barry Greene and Dr. Gordon Brock, members of our premiere jazz studies program performed (for the second year in a row) at the most prestigious venue at the Festival Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre, Jazz et Belle Plaisance in Nantes, France.

Charlotte Mabrey Drums a Different Beat

Professor Charlotte Mabrey

After 25 summers of putting on adventurous percussion concerts at the University of North Florida, Charlotte Mabrey is ready for a change. Oh, she'll continue to teach at the college. And she'll keep playing with the symphony. But now it's time to rock 'n' roll. "I really want to get back to my purple drum kit," she says, a grin growing on her face. "I want to be in a rock band like nobody's business. Really." Read more.

2008-09 Concert Calendar

Let The Music Begin

Our 2008-09 concert calendar is set. For full details on upcoming events, please visit our calendar page. For ticket information, please contact the ticket box office at 620-2878.

UNF Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Series

2008-09 Events Announced

The second season of the University of North Florida's Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Series dates have been announced.

Prof. Danny Gottlieb Performs at 50th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show with Bill Murray

Tandem Jumper Joe Jones, Professor Danny Gottlieb, and Bill Murray

Gary Sinise's Lt. Dan Band (with UNF Prof. Danny Gottlieb on drums) played the opening of the 50th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show last Friday, August 15, 2008.

Florence Henderson sang the National Anthem and Bill Murray parachuted down to the beach just behind the stage to introduce the Lt. Dan Band.

A highlight of the event was when the band ended their performance with God Bless the USA, which was coordinated with the Blue Angels flight team who flew in as the band played the last note.

Many wounded soldiers attended as guests and there were thousands of people on both the front and the back of the stage. There were 2.2 million people on the shore (from one end to the other).

Watch Video

Learn more: www.ltdanband.com

FUN FACT: UNF Prof. Danny Gottlieb played drums, as a session musician, on the soundtrack to the movie "Quick Change" in which Bill Murray starred in and produced in 1990.

UNF Jazz Studies Students Learn About Music and Life

Professor Barry Greene with UNF Students Ben Adkins and Ian Kelly

The UNF Jazz Studies program was featured in Jacksonville Magazine's HOT LIST edition.
Read more. PG 46

UNF Clarinet Student Chosen for Prestigious Orford Arts Center Master Classes

UNF Student Philip Lipton

Philip Lipton, a student of Dr. Guy Yehuda in an interview to the CBC Canadian television. Philip was chosen to participate in the prestigious Orford Arts Center Master Classes in Quebec, Canada in July 2008.

Dr. Cara Tasher - One of Skirt Magazine's "She's So Skirt!"

Dr. Cara Tasher, Director of Choral Activities at UNF

Dr. Cara Tasher was recognized by Skirt Magazine for her efforts to inspire through her passion for music. Read more.

UNF Wind Ensemble to Perform at Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall

The UNF Wind Ensemble will take center stage at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, June 1, 2008 as part of DCINY’s “Excellence in Education” series.

The University of North Florida Wind Ensemble, Jacksonville, under Gordon R. Brock, will perform Frank Ticheli’s “Wild Nights;” Tchaikovsky’s “None but the Lonely Heart,” arranged by Leonard B. Smith and F. Paoli Tosti’s “Addio!,” both with Krzysztof Biernacki, baritone, and Randall Tinnin, guest conductor; Luigi Bassi’s Concert Fantasia on Motives from Verdi’s Rigoletto, arranged by Louis Philippe Laurendeau, edited by Mark Rogers, and featuring Guy Yehuda on clarinet; and Michael Daugherty’s “Raise the Roof” for Timpani and Symphonic Band, with Casey Dodd, timpanist.

Prof. Danny Gottlieb to Perform at the Pentagon American Forces Press Service with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band

Lt. Dan Band

Oscar-nominated actor and director Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform a concert in the Pentagon Courtyard Friday, May 16 at noon as part of Military Appreciation Month.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. James Cartwright, and Department of Defense's 'America Supports You' program will be hosting the event. Military Appreciation Month is a nationwide observance honoring current and former members of the armed forces, including those who have died in service of our nation.

Sinise is renowned for his role as Lt. Dan in the movie "Forrest Gump," and currently stars in the CBS television series "CSI: NY." Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band have performed at USO concerts for men and women at American military bases across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. After visiting Iraq, Sinise started the ASY homefront group "Operation Iraqi Children" with author Laura Hillenbrand that sends school supplies to children in Iraq.

Additionally, representatives from more than 40 homefront groups from around the country will be on hand to join in this celebration. These organizations help service members and their families in a variety of ways including sending letters and care packages to the troops, providing pre-paid phone cards, and sponsoring wellness retreats.

Learn more: www.ltdanband.com

Dr. Bill Prince, Professor Emeritus of Music at UNF, Inductee for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Fame

Dr. Bill Prince

The Jacksonville Jazz Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made significant contributions to jazz in Jacksonville. Dr. Bill Prince will join the Jazz Festival pioneers, city leaders, musicians, educators, and patrons of the arts. Read more.

UNF Drumline Performs with Keith Urban

UNF Drumline with Keith Urban at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena

The UNF Drumline performed with country music sensation Keith Urban Friday, December 7, 2007. They came out to help him with his single I Told You So.

Beyond World Music

Layali El Andalus and Friends

When organizations partner in the name of art, it’s Jacksonville that wins. Last year, the Cummer Family Foundation (not part of the museum) quietly teamed up with UNF to give us their chamber series. The program will be a regular part of UNF’s music calendar in the future.
Read more. PAGE 17

Boy Hits High Note in Opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors

Krzysztof Biernacki and Jamie Houck

Jamie will play the shepherd boy in the University of North Florida Opera Ensemble's production of the popular one-act opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read more. To learn more about the UNF Opera Ensemble, click here.

2007-08 Concert Calendar

Get Ready for Another Great Year of Music

Our 2007-08 concert calendar is set. For full details on upcoming events, please visit our calendar page. For ticket information, please contact the ticket box office at 620-2878.

Founder’s Day Luncheon

The President’s Own Takes Part in Founder's Month Celebration

The University of North Florida is celebrating its 35th anniversary and UNF’s premiere vocal ensemble The President’s Own from the UNF Chamber Singers helped celebrate by performing at the October 2nd luncheon with UNF President John A. Delaney, Thomas Carpenter, and other distinguished guests in attendance.

Faculty Trio First in History

Trio Florida: Dr. Simon Shiao, Dr. Gary Smart, and Dr. Nick Curry

The University of North Florida's first-ever faculty piano trio gave its premier on-campus performance Oct. 2 as the kickoff to a string of concerts. The UNF piano trio is not only the first piano trio in the university's history, but also the only faculty trio at UNF. Read more.

Instructional Jazz Mini Clinics

Online Video Lessons

UNF's highly acclaimed award-winning faculty presents the "Mini Clinics" series, which is designed to demonstrate important basic jazz instructional topics. These clinics reflect the intensive study students will receive if they become a student in the UNF Department of Music.

2007 Nantes Jazz Festival

Barry Greene, Alex Nguyen, Ian Kelly, and Benjamin Adkins

Lead by Professor Barry Greene, one of our premiere student jazz combos performed at the most prestigious venue at the Festival Les Rendez-vous de l'Erdre, Jazz et Belle Plaisance in Nantes, France.

2007 Buffet Crampon USA Summer Clarinet Academy

Inaugural Buffet Crampon USA Summer Clarinet Academy

The inaugural 2007 Buffet Crampon USA Summer Clarinet Academy was a huge success. With 20 select students from all over North America and a world-class faculty, the Academy marked the beginning of an annual, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young clarinettists. Read more.

UNF Chorale Performs in Tour of Portugal

The UNF Chorale Sings – Cathedral in Evora, Portugal

The UNF Chorale Performance Tour of Portugal in May was initiated by Cara Tasher, the director of choral activities and assistant professor of voice for UNF's Department of Music. Also accompanied by UNF clarinet professor Guy Yehuda, who presented a master class for students at Instituto Piagnet, the Chorale collaborated on joint concerts in Lagos with the Grupo Coral de Lagos and with the University of Evora Chamber Choir and Eborae Musicae at an arts festival in Evora. Read more.

Opera Opens, 'A Breath of Fresh Air' for UNF Music

UNF's First Fully Staged Opera, Dido & Aeneas

The UNF Opera Ensemble was established in 2006 shortly after the appointment of Dr. Krzysztof Biernacki as the Head of Applied Voice at the UNF Department of Music. Comprised and cast entirely from undergraduate voice majors, the UNF Opera Ensemble recently was able to produce and successfully perform UNF’s first fully staged opera production, Dido & Aeneas by Henry Purcell, which amounted to a truly monumental achievement for this young ensemble. Read more.

2007 Tokyo String Quartet's Master Class at UNF

Tokyo String Quartet Presents Master Class

In April 2007, UNF had the great honor of having the Tokyo String Quartet present a master class on campus. The Stradivari instruments that they brought and showed to our students were worth well over 10 million dollars! It was a hugely successful event for the Department of Music.

New Partnership with Music Department Announced

Renowned Instrument Makers Buffet Crampon USA Agree to a Multi-Year

Partnership with UNF Music Department  to Benefit Students.

Buffet Crampon USA, Inc. is pleased to announce a new multi-year partnership with the University of North Florida Department of Music, located in Jacksonville, Florida. The partnership, initiated in spring 2007, will provide the UNF Department of Music with much-needed musical instruments and will enable Buffet Crampon USA Inc. to increase exposure within the north Florida musical and educational communities.

Buffet Crampon USA will receive valuable marketing exposure and promotion through UNF in exchange for the instrument donation. This branding will be accomplished through multi-season, individual concert and Department print, direct mail, website, and radio advertisement, in-hall recognition and Buffet Crampon product placement at UNF-hosted and -related performances.

To read more about the partnership click here.

Saxophone Quartet Wins First UNF Chamber Competition

The UNF Saxophone Quartet competed in and won UNF's first Chamber Music Competition on Monday, April 16th. The group is comprised of Luis Colon (junior), David Jackson (freshman), Mike Emmert (freshman), and Tony Mayato (freshman). The students performed a piece entitled "Back Burner" by Frank Ticheli. Although a relatively young group, this quartet has already performed on several recitals including a recent performance at the Region 6 Meeting of the North American Saxophone Alliance in Hammond, Louisiana. They are coached by Michael Bovenzi. The Music Department hopes to make this type of competition an annual event.