INFORMATION FOR
On Thursday, December 5th at 7:30 PM in Shea Auditorium, the WP Chamber Winds and Preparatory Ensemble will present their final concert of the semester, titled “Ragas for Winds.” Admission is free and open to the public.
The concert features composer-in-residence Aakash Mittal, whose compositions “employ colorful dissonances, meditative silences, and angular rhythms to express environments and spaces ranging from the American west to the dense streets of Kolkata.”
The concert also highlights a side-by-side performance with Honors High School musicians from the area, performing a piece by Mittal.
Other composers on the program are Brian Balmages, Katahj Copley, Jacob DeHaan, Adolphus Hailstork, Julie Giroux, Howard Hanson and Amber Sheeran.
Pianist, arranger, and producer Oscar Hernandez is the founder of the Harlem Jazz Orchestra, winner of Grammy awards in 2002 and 2005. He also serves as musical director to Ruben Blades and is a legendary performer in his own right who is involved in so many aspects of the music industry. Paul Simon asked Hernandez to arrange and produce the Broadway musical The Capeman where he was also music director and conductor. He has been involved in other projects, including TV projects like Sex in the City and music for numerous commercials. Alma Libra’s recent CD is The Art of Latin Jazz, containing ten original compositions by Hernandez and featuring some of the biggest names in Latin jazz. Don’t miss this exciting showcase of Hernandez’s musicianship and vision!
Ticket Prices: $20 General Public • $18 WP community & senior citizens • $10 Non-WP students • WP Students admitted free with ID
Included with your ticket purchase, each Jazz Room concert is preceded by Sittin' In Meet-the-Artist, which takes place one hour prior to performances and gives audience members a unique opportunity to interact with the artist of the day.
Free admission
WP Choirs perform a variety of holiday repertoire under the direction of new Director of Choral Activities Dr. Hannah Carr.
They say a man’s “soul” is his spiritual essence. Life’s twists and turns can lift that soul high into the sky or send it crashing to the ground below. Unfortunately, 2023 started with the latter for Will Downing, following the unexpected and soul-crushing loss of daughter Aron Siobhan Downing in January. As a father, he was devastated…heartbroken. As an artist, he sought solace and comfort through his craft…facing the hurt head-on and exploring multiple themes of love to begin the healing. Persevering through the pain Downing is poised to finish the year with his soul rising…literally! The Prince of Sophisticated Soul is ready to share his 7- song masterclass in triumph over tragedy, Soul Rising!
Celebrating an insane 35 years in the “bizness” and 27 Albums to his credit Will Downing will not be stopped! Flexing on his international appeal, the lead single "What Part of My Love" shot to the top of the UK Soul Chart Top 30 and parked there. Those who no longer listen to new releases as the collective work it was intended to be, should make an exception in this case. Although not a "concept" album, the pieces of Soul Rising fit together beautifully as a single statement and should be enjoyed as such. We all know the about the smoothness, but there's a brand-new kind of...dare I say..."Funkiness", that I think is here to stay!
Make no mistake...Will Downing didn't forget the "smooth" that made the Man the Myth the Legend! Nor did he abandon his world-famous knack for what he affectionately calls "interpretations" of classic hits.
Tickets: Gold Circle $75Orchestra/Front Loge $65Rear Loge $55
