News @ the Peck School of the Arts

For UWM piano professor, tough love brings lifelong affection

Breann Schossow

October 16, 2015

Journal Sentinel

The first time Leah Duckert took a music theory course with UW-Milwaukee's Gregoria Karides Suchy in the mid-'90s, she flunked.

Duckert tried again — and still struggled. So Karides Suchy invited Duckert to her home on a Saturday, sitting with her at the piano for three hours until the musical concepts started to make sense.

Today Duckert is a high school band director in West Bend and remains grateful to her professor from decades ago.

For her special brand of dedication, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee honored the 91-year-old Karides Suchy with its Distinguished Alumni Service Award last week.

Duckert was one of her nominators, contacted by the Peck School of the Arts dean to share her "Suchy Story."

"The fact that she offered her time was unique and rare," Duckert said. "I was scared, but she worked patiently with me until I got the concepts."

Read more: Journal Sentinel

Increasingly, UWM attracts classical guitar students, artists

Graham Kilmer

November 12, 2015

UWM Report

A growing number of aspiring musicians are heading to Milwaukee to study in the Peck School of the Arts’s classical guitar program.

Nathan Bredeson, a second-year graduate student and president of the classical guitar student organization, came to UWM in fall 2014 after his undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa. He said the “fairly intimate” program with a small number of students helps to foster musical relationships and friendships.

With undergraduate and graduate students from as far as California and Washington, and Canada and Puerto Rico, UWM is internationally recognized for guitar studies and as a venue for classical guitar performances.

Read more: UWM Report

All That Brass

Michael Barndt

November 3, 2015

Urban Milwaukee

Chamber Music Milwaukee features the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Faculty Brass Quintet in concert this Thursday evening, November 5th. Several selections transcribed for brass ensemble demonstrate the transformative effect of these instruments on the original works.

Leonard Bernstein‘s selections from West Side Story and a Dance Suite express the energy of his popular compositions when adapted for brass quintet. Bernstein’s final published work, the Dance Suite mixes different dance styles to honor individual New York choreographers.

Read more: Urban Milwaukee

NIGHT AND DREAMS: A SONG RECITAL Set for The New York Society Library, 11/1

Opera News Desk

October 19, 2015

Broadway World

Join two gifted young musicians as they explore the influence of night and dreams on poetry and song, through the music of Franz Schubert, Richard Strauss, Hector Berlioz, and more in NIGHT AND DREAMS: A SONG RECITAL on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 3 PM at The New York Society Library, 53 East 79th Street (just east of Madison Avenue; 6 train to 77th Street). Open to the public; $20 with advance registration, $25 at the door.

Read more: Broadway World

Soprano Kathryn Henry to thank Met Auditions supporters with recital

Elaine Schmidt

October 12, 2015

Tap Milwaukee

Here's a great chance to say, "I knew her when."

Soprano Kathryn Henry, who is still glowing from her performance on theMetropolitan Opera stage after advancing through district, regional and semifinal levels to becomea finalist in the Met's National Council Auditions last spring, is giving a free recital at Brookfield's Sharon Lynne Wilson Center on Friday.

Her "Nights and Dreams: A Song Recital" is a "thank you" for the tremendous support she received as she moved through the competition.

"I've never gotten so much support from people before," Henry said, mentioning those who ran the auditions, the sponsors, her own teacher and a number of people at the Met who went out of their way to help her.

Read more: Tap Milwaukee

Day 4: UWM Wind Ensemble at WASBE 2015 - San Jose, CA

By Julie Ann Steinbach

July 16, 2015

The Wind Ensemble members had a relaxing day at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and at the beach. There the member did some amateur sea lion spotting and swimming. They even got to enjoy the arcade and amusement rides! Tonight will be another performance, our second and last concert of the WASBE Conference, as part of its run out Fringe Festival.

Day 3: UWM Wind Ensemble at WASBE 2015 - San Jose, CA

By Julie Ann Steinbach

July 14, 2015

Our WASBE performance today was definitely a hit with those in the audience! The UWM Wind Ensemble performed in the California Theatre, which is home to Opera San Jose and The Silicone Symphony. The histoic venue, which was recently renovated, is absolutely beautiful. Following the concert, some of the brass section attended an insightful masterclass by University of California - Los Angeles trumpet professor Jens Lindemann! 

Day 2: UWM Wind Ensemble at WASBE 2015 - San Jose, CA

By Julie Ann Steinbach

July 14, 2015

Today the UWM Wind Ensemble rehearsed on the San Jose State University campus in preparation for our performance tomorrow in the California Theater at 3 pm.

Viewing a handful performances, which feature invited ensembles of the highest caliber, are on the agenda for this evening and tomorrow.

The band will be traveling to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Thursday and San Francisco Friday- stay tuned for some well earned r&r adventures later this week!

Day 1: UWM Wind Ensemble at WASBE 2015 - San Jose, CA

By Julie Ann Steinbach

July 13, 2015

After a long day of travel, the UWM Wind Ensemble finally checked into their hotel which stood directly across from the WASBE Concert Hall. The group is out on the town enjoying a dinner together and soaking in every lovely sight San Jose has to offer. Tomorrow the group will meet for their first rehearsal to prepare for their conference performance Wednesday afternoon! 

Stay posted for daily coverage of WASBE 2015

 

Music - Student from Burlington sings with Rolling Stones at Summerfest

My Racine County

Jennifer Eisenburt

July 10, 2015

There was a certain level of secrecy – necessitated by a contract – Eli King had to maintain regarding Summerfest’s blockbuster kickoff show this year.

King, of Burlington, and members of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Concert Chorale can’t talk about how they were selected to provide backup vocals for The Rolling Stones, and they can’t even mention the song they did.

But it’s fair to say that you can’t always get what you want, just like that classic Rolling Stones song – even though the UW-Milwaukee choir did.

Read the full article at My Racine County