College of Fine Arts and Design

Sept. 13, 2012

The University of Central Oklahoma School of Music will present a dynamic performance featuring the UCO Faculty Chamber Orchestra at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18 at the UCO Jazz Lab located in Edmond.           

The performance is a part of the School of Music’s Faculty Artist Concert Series, a yearlong performance series featuring the talents of Central music faculty members.  All performances take place on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazz Lab.           

John Clinton, Ph.D., Dean of the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design, will be conducting one of the compositions that the orchestra will perform, “Appalachian Spring,” a ballet score composed by Aaron Copland, famous American composer.           

“Appalachian Spring” premiered in 1944 and was originally written for the famous ballet dancer Martha Graham.  The piece is 20 minutes in length and includes well-known melodies such as “Simple Gifts,” among others.           

“Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring’ is a beautiful piece.  It’s a huge exercise in rhythmic counting for the performers, but sounds wonderful and seamless to audience members,” Clinton said.  

“I am honored that the UCO Chamber Orchestra invited me to conduct this piece as a part of the UCO Faculty Artist Concert Series.  It is going to be a wonderful show,” he continued.     

The Chamber Orchestra will also play “Octet” by Schubert.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling the UCO School of Music at (405) 974-5004.  Admission is free for Central students, faculty and staff with a Central I.D.  Half of the proceeds will go toward Central Music Scholarships, and the rest will support the school.       

For a complete listing of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events and performances, visit www.uco.edu/cfad/events or call 405-974-3770.