Music

News

Announcement

Rohde Awarded Commission from the Koussevitsky Foundation in the Library of Congress

Professor Kurt Rohde—a musician who plays viola, teaches, and composes—received a 2024 commission from the Serge Koussevitzky Foundation in memory of Andrew W. Imbrie (1921–2007) to write a new work for Brightwork New Music.

Announcement

Professor Mika Pelo Composition Premieres in Sweden

In 2023 Professor Mika Pelo was selected for a composer residency by the Peterson-Berger Foundation at Sommarhagen, the home of the late Swedish composer Wilhelm Peterson-Berger. As part of the residency, Pelo composed a new work, Akvareller (“Watercolors”). 

Announcement

Alum Featured in PBS Documentary “DANTE: Inferno To Paradise”

This past spring Catherine Adoyo (B.A. music and Italian, ’98) was featured in the PBS documentary DANTE: Inferno to Paradise. ​The film contained interviews with the world’s foremost scholars on Dante including Adoyo. 

Announcement

UC Davis Choral Director Publishes Guide for New Directors

Nicolás Alberto Dosman holding his book.

UC Davis Choral Director Nicolás Alberto Dosman is the author of Growing Your Choral Program: A Practical Guide for New Directors, which was recently published.

Upcoming Events

Event

Nick May, solo saxophone
Works by Graduate Students

Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center

Nick May, solo saxophone and artist in residence

Program

All new works by graduate students in music:

Guang Yang: Untitled

Jacob Lane: A Word on Excess

Dean Kervin Boursiquot: Benefits of Fresh Air

Alejandro Arreola: …for the time being: two meditations for alto saxophone

Joseph Martin: Gofod

James R. Larkins: Better Than One

Free​

a Shinkoskey Noon Concert

Ann E. Pitzer Center, Davis, CA
Event

Valente Lecture: Hannes Dufek, composer

Room 101 (“Sound Lab”), Art Annex

Visiting Austrian composer Hannes Dufek will have his work a black heart, the death of a friend and the end of a place: some lessons in falling apart, premiered by the Empyrean Ensemble on October 13. Ahead of this concert, Hannes will speak about his music. 

Free, limited seating available

This talk is made possible with support from the Austrian Consulate General of Los Angeles.​

Art Annex, Davis, CA
Event

Empyrean Ensemble
Season 37

Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center

Empyrean Ensemble
Sam Nichols, director • Matilda Hofman, resident conductor

Musicians Playing
Stacey Pelinka, flute
Kyle Bruckmann, oboe
Peter Josheff, clarinet*
Jennifer Ellis, harp
Ben Prima, percussion
Terrie Baune, violin
Ellen Ruth Rose, viola*
Thalia Moore, cello*

*core member

6:15 p.m. pre-concert talk with the composers

Program

Hannes Dufek: a black heart, the death of a friend and the end of a place: some lessons in falling apart WORLD PREMIERE

Addie Camsuzou: As Above WORLD PREMIERE
(Ph.D. music ‘23)

Hendel Almétus: Beyond the Waves WORLD PREMIERE
(Ph.D. music ‘14)

Martha Horst: Dickinson Fragments WORLD PREMIERE
(Ph.D., music ‘96)

Free, no tickets required

This concert is made possible with support from the Austrian Consulate General of Los Angeles.​

Ann E. Pitzer Center, Davis, CA
Event

“Ahead of Their Time: Adelaide Ristori and Clara Schumann”

Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center

featuring Italian actress Giulia Cailotto
with UC Davis lecturers in music:
   Dagenais Smiley, violin
   Susan Lamb Cook, cello
   I-Hui Chen, piano

“Ahead of their Time” is an inspirational story about Adelaide Ristori, 19th century actress and entrepreneur, as told by Italian actress Giulia Cailotto, intertwined with the music and story of 19th-century pianist and composer Clara Schumann. The stories of Adelaide Ristori and Clara Schumann were an inspiration for women of their time and continues to be an inspiration for women of all ages today.

Program

Robert Schumann: Quasi Variazioni Andantino de Clara Wieck

Clara Schumann: Trio in G Minor, op. 17

and The story of Adelaide Ristori as told by Giulia Cailotto

Free

This Shinkoskey Noon Concert is made possible with support from the Joy S. Shinkoskey Series of Noon Concert Endowment.

Ann E. Pitzer Center, Davis, CA
Event

Faythe Vollrath, music for harpsichord and virginal

Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center

The harpsichord and virginal were both popular keyboard instruments of the 17th century, promoting the development of soloistic keyboard works across Europe. Today, as the popularity of the harpsichord enjoys a revival, it is still rare to experience hearing the virginal in a concert setting. This performance will explore the unique sounds of both instruments and compare and contrast their distinctive roles in history.  

Program

To be announced.

a Shinkoskey Noon Concert

Free

Ann E. Pitzer Center, Davis, CA
Event

“Exhibition”: Solo Piano Works Inspired by Visual Art
featuring paintings by Peter London

Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center

Sakurako Kanemitsu, piano
featuring paintings by Peter London
and music by Ryan Suleiman (Ph.D. music ‘20)

Program

Modest Mussorgsky: Selections from Pictures at an Exhibition (1874)

Claude Debussy: L’isle Joyeuse (1904)

Franz Liszt: “Sposalizio” from Second Year of Pilgrimage: Italy (1858)

Ryan Suleiman: Three London Etudes (2024) WORLD PREMIERE
   Radiant
   Floating Triptych
   Electric Clouds

**commissioned by and in collaboration with artist Peter London for Sakurako Kanemitsu, piano

Free
a Shinkoskey Noon Concert

Ann E. Pitzer Center, Davis, CA
Event

Music for String Trio

Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center

Aromi Park, violin
Kimberlee Uwate, viola (B.A. music ‘08)
Seth Biagini, cello

Program

Franz Schubert: Trio in B Flat Major, D. 471

Bohuslav Martinů: Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola

Paul Wiancko: American Haiku アメリカン俳句 

Ernst von Dohnányi: Serenade for String Trio

Free

This Shinkoskey Noon Concert is made possible with support from the Joy S. Shinkoskey Series of Noon Concert Endowment.

Ann E. Pitzer Center, Davis, CA
Event

“Arts @ Shields” Pop-up Performance
Music for String Quartet

Grand Staircase Mezzanine, Peter J. Shields Library

Abigail Karr and Maureen Murchie, violins
Kimberlee Uwate, viola (B.A. music ‘08)
Abbie Eads, cello

With returning UC Davis alum Kimberlee Uwate (viola), this string quartet program inaugurates a new pop-up style series at Shields Library called “Arts @ Shields” and will include music from time to time. The concert selections will not be announced in advance. Passersby and attendees who know about the event in advance will both enjoy the surprise of discovering the program as it unfolds!

Program

To be announced from the stage.

Free

Peter J. Shields Library, Davis, CA

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