Satisfaction: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones

SATURDAY, APRIL 29 | 7:30 PM | MCCRARY THEATRE

BY: JENNA MANDERIOLI

Every spring, The Elon Electric Ensemble dedicates its concerts to some of the most legendary names in music history. This year, you’ll be satisfied with Satisfaction: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones.

Director of Elon Electric Ensemble Todd Coleman said a member of the group, Nicholas Priester, suggested the theme. The ensemble meets Wednesdays from 2-3:40 and rehearses for its upcoming performances. 

Each week, the Elon Electric Ensemble learns 2 new songs from the setlist of 17. The group then circles back to rehearse the songs for memorization, feel/groove, arrangement options, and flow of transitions between songs. Coleman said there are a lot of moving parts in the group, including instruments such as auxiliary percussion, Hammond organ and background vocals, harmonica, and various percussion instruments. He provided students with recordings of individual instruments for each song as a way to practice each part.

Coleman says he hopes that the concert can bring fun and nostalgia to some older members of the audience, as a throw-back to some of the more rebellious music of their youth.

“For some students in the group, this style of music is new to them,” Coleman said. “It makes student musicians work on developing their ear, learning parts by listening to recordings, and learning to improvise within a given harmonic and melodic framework.”

Todd Coleman

The Rolling Stones greatly influenced the evolution of Rock’N’Roll and were icons of the British Invasion, along with the Beatles. In history, the band has received controversy for “stealing” styles of African American Blues. 

According to Huffington Post UK’s Dan Einav, The Rolling Stones “showed nothing but genuine reverence to those that influenced them, and by talking about their heroes and inviting them on tour, the Stones helped downtrodden black blues musicians to obtain the recognition and relative commercial success they so merited.” 

“They were putting the music where we had never put it before, and they just let the world know who we were.”

Buddy Guy

Coleman said there are so many fun songs to rehearse. His favorites are some of the big hits, like The big hits like “Satisfaction” and “Start Me Up”. 

“Sympathy for the Devil,” with the extra percussion instruments was also a lot of fun,” Coleman said. “It often leaves the students playing percussion feeling like their arms or hands will fall off by the end!”

Musical Storytellers: A Piano Recital

Musical Storytellers: A Piano Recital

by: Jenna Manderioli

“Musical Storytellers” brings to life piano works prominently in classical music. The “character piece” gives composers the creative freedom to write and perform in an authentic musical voice. On Wednesday, March 8, Elon will welcome guest artist Dr. Leonidas Lagrimas to present a “Musical Storytellers” recital in Whitley Auditorium at 7:30 PM.

In the classical piano performance “Musical Storytellers”, Lagrimas explores the narrative possibilities of the character piece. The program features solo piano works by Scarlatti, Bach, Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee, Debussy, and more.

Lagrimas says whether you are new to classical music or a lifelong classical fan, this program has something for everyone to enjoy. He plans to draw upon his experience as a presenter and public speaker to engage the audience and provide helpful background information on each of the selections. It is his hope that this event will inspire and motivate audience members who don’t consider themselves classical music fans to discover more of this amazing music for themselves.

Lagrimas is an assistant professor of Piano and Pedagogy at Western Carolina University. At WCU, he teaches the class piano program and Applied Piano. Collaborative piano highlights include performances with Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann, country superstar Lorrie Morgan, and numerous Carnegie Hall appearances. He performs at many regional North Carolina recitals, and notably has performed with Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann, and country superstar Lorrie Morgan. Lagrimas has also appeared at Carnegie Hall numerous times.

“Musical Storytellers” is sponsored by the Elon University Department of Music. This event is free admission.

Her Incendiary Love Recital: The Fire of Love from the Female Perspective

Thursday, February 16, 6:30 PM in Whitley Auditorium

BY: JENNA manderioli

In an event sponsored by the Department of Music, LGBTQIA Center and El Centro, three Elon adjunct faculty of music bring us Her Incendiary Love. The faculty recital offers different dimensions of love – all from the feminine perspective.

Gretchen Bruesehoff, soprano; Dora Cardona, soprano; and Suzanne Polak, piano, all come together as a powerhouse trio for the performance. They bring to their songs the feminine voice of love – young, fiery, timeless, unrequited, secret, revengeful and lusting – in all HER glory.

According to Bruesehoff, the idea for the recital represents how she and her colleagues view themselves as fiery women. “We wanted to present a recital together of works we felt represented the many different emotional stages of love, from being in love to losing it, to death or divorce, to passion to contentment,” she said.

Since all three performers are adjunct faculty and artists, this presented as a challenge to match each other’s rehearsal schedules at times.

Polak was able to work separately with Bruesehoff and Cardona on their vocals as a pianist in between group sessions. Polak loves rehearsing with her colleagues, Bruesehoff shares. She says Polak finds the emotional music makes her tear up while playing.  

That exact emotion is what the group hopes the audience will gain from this recital.

“At its heart, a recital is a presentation of music in a concert fashion, so maybe it’s just a little over an hour’s break from university study, but we hope that it also gives each person a moment to smile, to feel some shades of similar emotions in their life and to walk away having reflections of love and it impacts on each of us,” Bruesehoff said. “Also as it’s incendiary, we hope all feel the feminine power from us and our performance!”

Her Incendiary Love is set to take place in Whitley Auditorium this Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 P.M. It will also be live-streamed on the Elon University Music Department Facebook page.

Elon Electric Ensemble’s Songwriter Showcase

The Elon Electric Ensemble is taking a new approach to their concert this Saturday, April 30. The Electric Ensemble’s Songwriter Showcase features original music composed and performed by singer-songwriters and other talented musicians in Elon’s Music Production & Recording Arts program in a variety of musical genres and styles. 

The showcase will take place outside of Lakeside in Medallion Plaza. The electric ensemble is also partnering with Limelight Records, the student-run record label. In Limelight, student artists will be performing their own released original music beginning at 7:00 pm. Then, the Electric Ensemble will take the stage at 7:30. 

The program consists of songs written together this semester by the members of the ensemble, which is a first for the ensemble. In previous years, they performed songs written by individual songwriters within the group. 

The Electric ensemble was inspired by the new Beatles Documentary “Get Back” to create all of the music for the show together over the last couple of months. This Documentary shows The Beatles’ journey in writing and rehearsing 14 new songs, planning their first live concert in more than 2 years. The documentary includes iconic performances including a rooftop concert at London’s Savile Row.

Don’t miss the Elon Electric Ensemble’s outdoor take on their Songwriter Showcase concert this Saturday, April 30, on Medallion Plaza, sponsored by the Elon Department of Music. 

By: Jenna Manderioli

Danú – Traditional Music of Ireland

Danú Performance at Elon: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 7:30 PM

by Jenna Manderioli

Hailing from various historic counties of Ireland, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today. It takes its audiences on a musical journey to their native Ireland, offering a moving and memorable concert experience, delighting audiences worldwide with traditional Irish Music. On Tuesday, March 8, Danú will bring a high-energy performance and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and a new repertoire to Elon in McCrary Theatre. 

Danú’s Music

Danú has recorded seven critically acclaimed albums. The band was established in 1995 as part of the Lorient Inter-Celtic Festival in France, the biggest annual gathering of Celtic nations in the world. Their debut album, ‘Danú’ was released by the band in 1997 to huge critical acclaim and in 1999 Danú signed a multi-album record deal with the US-based recording label Shanachie Entertainment. They subsequently released five albums. Their live DVD, One Night Stand, was filmed at Vicar St. Dublin. During the past few years, Danú has added three independent releases to their discography. 

Around the World

During the last two decades, Danú’s artists take to Instruments including the flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, bouzouki, and vocals (Irish and English). Touring throughout the Middle East, and North America with stops at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Symphony Space in New York City, and major concert engagements in the United Kingdom, India, Israel, and across Europe, Danú has won numerous awards from the BBC and Irish Music Magazine. Popular recordings are also often broadcast on NPR, the CBC, and the BBC.

Danú’s Tuesday, March 8 performance will take place at McCrary Theater in the Center for the arts at 7:30 pm. Tickets will be $15 to the general public or proof of Phoenix cards from students. 

Tickets are also available through elon.universitytickets.com. 

“…a vibrant mix of virtuosity, energy, and empathy” – The Washington Post

“… (Danú) stirs the blood and lifts the heart.” – Irish Music Magazine

“…fierce fiddle reels to pensive ballads.” – The New York Times

Elon University’s Jazz Festival Concert

The 25th Annual Elon Jazz Festival is back in person this year after a cancellation last year due to the pandemic. The festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 18 and 19 in McCrary Theater in the Center of Performing Arts. 

Background

Elon’s Jazz Ensemble has a proud history dating back decades to when they were the Emanons under the direction of Jack O. White. This semester’s group is made up of a few music majors, with other performing students from across the entire campus. “Rehearsing about 3 hours a week plus additional section rehearsals is quite a time commitment for many of the members,” said Festival Director Rusty Smith. “But we consider it a labor of love, and we really have a great time learning to play this great American musical art form.”

On Friday, Smith will host visiting high school jazz bands from across the region. Each band will present 2-3 tunes on the stage in McCrary Auditorium. A short clinic with visiting clinicians will then take place for each group. Nine bands are scheduled to play beginning at 9 a.m.

Guest Artists

This year, the Jazz ensemble proudly welcomes two guest artists:

Trumpeter Pat Harbison, professor of jazz studies at the prestigious Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Harbison has performed original music and his personal version of jazz standards with his own jazz groups and as a guest soloist at major jazz concerts, festivals, and clubs on six continents.

Bassist Natalie Boeyink is from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she is currently the coordinator of both the Jazz and Strings Education areas. Her group, Batuquê Trio, released its debut album, Transparency, in 2015 which highlights their fusion of contemporary Brazilian, American and Afro-Cuban jazz.

On Saturday afternoon, the guest artists will present clinics in the Center for the Arts beginning at noon, followed by an open rehearsal with the Elon Jazz Ensemble.  That night, at 7:30 p.m., the Elon Jazz Ensemble will present the festival concert featuring our guest artists.  The first portion of the show will feature the Elon band then our guests will perform some small group numbers. The small portion of the show will feature our guests leading the Elon Jazz Ensemble in a tribute to the great Mary Lou Williams, a famous American jazz pianist.

Preparation

The Elon Jazz ensemble began rehearsing for this festival in early February, leaving a short time frame to put together this program. While it was intense for students, Rusty Smith says “they are doing a fine job of learning and polishing their parts.” In addition to students, local community members and music faculty are part of this year’s group. 

The Elon Jazz Ensemble Would Like to Thank:

Music & Arts in Burlington will be on-site on Friday and has contributed to hosting our guest artist Pat Harbinson. The Burlington Country Inn & Suites have been incredibly generous and house the clinicians. Finally, the members of Elon’s Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity are assisting with tomorrow’s event by serving as band guides and runners.  

Occupy Your Time With Music and Dance!

By Megan Muller

Whether you are stuck inside due to COVID-19 or laying this low this week to reflect, we have some events to lift your spirits! Throughout this week, Elon University will be displaying its musical and performing arts talents through the Elon Music Ambassadors, as well as the Musical Theatre Department’s performance of Collage and an ongoing viewing of Dancing in the Landscape. Keep reading to learn more about each performance!

Elon Music Ambassadors, Songs of Unity and Peace

When: Friday, November 6, 7:30 p.m. 

Where: https://www.facebook.com/Elon-Music-Ambassadors-233966376699872

Why you should tune in: “The Elon Music Ambassadors fall concert will have limited seating for Elon students, faculty and staff and will be live streamed for all to enjoy on the Elon Music Ambassadors Facebook page. We chose this program because music has a special way of healing at a time when we need it most. All the selections were carefully chosen by the students to fit this timely theme and represent a variety of musical styles.” (Elon Cultural Calendar)

Collage

When: Sunday, November 8, 7:30 p.m.

Where: www.elonperformingarts.com

Why you should tune in: This is a one time only viewing event! The Music Theatre majors will be displaying their talents in a variety of songs and dances. 

Dancing in the Landscape

When: Ongoing

Where: https://elonperformingarts.com/dancing-in-the-landscape/ 

Why you should tune in: “We had the good fortune to work with Professor J McMerty in the School of Communications, who helped us to create works beyond what we previously imagined. As a result, we have been able to stay true to the mission of Dancing in the Landscape, which is to create innovative pieces in non-traditional spaces. These limitations provided the choreographers and performers with the opportunity to develop a sense of flexibility and inventive strategizing, which will undoubtedly serve all of us in our future endeavors. As a result, the pieces in this production showcase original, creative, and powerful works of art. This year’s production features pieces from four talented student choreographers: Arianna Shahin, Mackenzie Holub, Hannah West, and Sarah DeSordi. Each of their choreographic works demonstrates unique, thoughtful engagements with nature and the architecture around campus. From these pieces, there emerges a sense of joy, collaboration, hopefulness, and resiliency. The show also highlights the brilliant works of Professors Jiwon Ha, Alexandra Joye Warren, and Amy Beasley. Thank you so much for tuning in. We hope you enjoy this performance.” (Casey Avaunt, Director) 

The Moment

By Megan Muller

This weekend, The University’s Department of Performing Arts will grace the Elon community with the first all-black cabaret titled, The Moment. In response to recent and ongoing events surrounding systematic racism in our society, the Department of Performing Arts says that, “The Moment seeks to question how we can deconstruct, transform and rebuild what the performing arts world looks like. The Moment is not a continuation of the past. It is The Moment.” 

I was lucky enough to speak with the artistic director, Kamal Lado, about this powerful production. Continue reading to learn more about The Moment. 

What is your role in The Moment?

I am the artistic director for The Moment. Which means I am responsible for the overall artistic vision of the piece. Most of the individual numbers were directed, music directed, and choreographed by students in the show. My job is to make sure that all those different numbers work together and help support the overall mission of The Moment. 

What is the main thing you hope the Elon Community takes away from The Moment?

With all that is going on in the world, we are constantly being bombarded with tragedy. Particularly the tragedies committed against Black and brown folks. While we do have to sit with the harsh reality that is the condition of Black and brown folks in America, it is also important to know that there is so much joy, life, beauty, and celebration within the Black community. The Moment is a love letter to Blackness. There is an expression in the Black community and that is FUBU, for us by us. We welcome all other viewers as spectators but it is not the mission of The Moment to serve the white gaze. 

How has working on this production changed your perspective on the performing arts industry, if at all?

This production, rather than changing my perspective on the industry, is a direct response to the performing arts industry. Systemic racism and white supremacy are everywhere, period. While many see the arts as a safe haven from the evils of the world, in reality, the arts often support these damaging ideas. As artists, we have a responsibility to not recreate the world we live in, but rather create the world we want to live in. The performing arts industry is problematic, that is old news. The real question is what are we going to do about it? The Moment is merely a part of the answer. 

How has the production had to shift to follow COVID restrictions?

The entire show itself is a product of COVID-19 and the restrictions it places on performing. The decision to film the entire piece and present it in this virtual format is a direct response to our inability to gather in space. We really had to consider, “how can we build community while we’re apart?” I think we did just that. More specifically, there are many different camera tricks and angles that we used to make the product as seamless as possible. While the actors on screen are without masks, the rehearsal process and the filming were all done with very specific and strict restrictions in place. Particularly, because COVID-19 is known to disproportionately affect Black and brown folks due to a variety of factors, health and safety are our number one priority.  

What can the audience members look forward to in The Moment?

I recall a moment on set when I was watching a friend of mine behind the camera and was overwhelmed with emotion. Looking into the viewfinder I realized that this was one of the first times that the world gets to see them, gets to see us, as we truly are. No tokenization, not through a white lens, not playing caricatures, but as ourselves. Authentically and courageously. Audience members can look forward to the pure magic that is Blackness. They can look forward to an evening-long celebration like no other. 

This is a show that you do not want to miss. Visit  https://elonperformingarts.com/ to view the production of The Moment starting this Friday, October 9. 

Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra

By Megan Muller

September 15 started Hispanic Heritage Month on Elon’s campus, a time where the university encourages us to “learn about those with identities different from their own and to explore new ways of thinking, new connections and new cultures.” 

Of course this year looks very different in the cultural office than in years past where we would bring Latinx and Hispanic groups to campus to celebrate. In an effort to keep the campus engaged in these virtual events, I was given the opportunity to have a (virtual) sit down conversation with Sylvia Muñoz of CREDE and El Centro, and two members of the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra. The Williamsburg Salsa orchestra was supposed to be on campus this week, but with the changes, their performance will be released online instead. 

Sylvia Muñoz began the conversation with me by discussing the role that CREDE and El Centro play on Elon’s campus. She also explained the importance of Hispanic Heritage month, and how El Centro will be holding events and serious discussions/panels regarding immigration, education, identity and more in the Latinx and Hispanic cultures. Sylvia expressed her excitement to dance to the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra, even if it is from home, which led me to ask the gentlemen a little bit more about their music.

We were joined by Gianni and Eliud, two members of the band, all the way from NYC. My question to them was, “What would a normal show of theirs look like if it were not for the pandemic?” Their faces lit up with both joy and sadness as they reminisced on their past performances. Gianni simply answered, “Everything is about getting up to dance.” They explained how the whole show is bilingual to connect with every audience member and be as welcoming as possible. What stuck out to me the most was how they said that they bring a salsa dance instructor with them on tour, and he gives a 45 minute dance lesson before the show starts so that everyone can get up and dance to the salsa music. The group incorporates Indie Rock music and other classic hits that the audience can recognize, which helps bridge the gap for new salsa fans. The group consists of members of all Latinx and Hispanic cultures, something that they are very proud of. 

Although they will not be here with us on campus, we hope that their message, energy, and culture will be just as bright. We hope that you still dance from home! You can watch the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra perform Thursday, September 24th, at 7:30p.m. by visiting https://www.elon.edu/u/cultural-calendar/.

Elon Cultural’s “Must Watch” List

By Megan Muller

What has Elon Cultural been up to during these weeks at home? Binge watching lots of TV shows, listening to music, and learning about new creative ways to stay in touch with friends are just a few. Keep reading for some of our  favorite shows that we have watched while at home!

Although we obviously wish we were expressing our creativity through dance and theatre performances, a cappella concerts, and other campus activities that we love so much, it has been almost fun to see how creative we can get while stuck on our couches. Since most of our couches are pointed towards the television set, let’s start there. Here is Elon Cultural’s must watch list. 

Little Fires Everywhere

Based off of the novel written by Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere is a show that you will want to binge in one sitting. Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington bring their characters to life in a way that is so powerful it is hard to stop watching. Their two stories parallel each other while overlapping in common themes having to do with being mothers and struggling to raise a family in Shaker Heights, Ohio. You can find it on Hulu.

Outer Banks

For a more fun, soapy, teen drama, check out Outer Banks. A typical turf war story, Outer Banks follows a group of teens who are searching for a lost shipwreck which holds lots of treasure. This show is such a trend right now, you should watch it just so that you know what everyone is talking about! This show can be found on Netflix.

Ozark

This show is also full of drama and action and can be found on Netflix. The story involves money and drug scandals that force the family to reconnect and come together. It stars Jason Bateman and Marty Byrde, definitely give it a watch!

If you are like me, you probably miss being able to watch shows and movies with your friends or family that you cannot see right now. Well, there is a solution. Netflix Party is a free platform that allows you to sync screens with other people so that you are watching the same thing on Netflix at the same time. How great is that? Learn more about Netflix Party here.

Even though we wish we were watching musicals on the McCrary stage or baseball games at Latham Park, keep yourself entertained with these amazing shows. Reach out to us @ElonCultural if you have any other recommendations. Although these shows will make you want to sit on your couch all day and binge watch, don’t forget to go outside and get some fresh air in between episodes.  We cannot wait to be back on campus soon. Stay strong and healthy, Elon.