Musicians and singers showcased

In an exciting new addition to its annual concert program, USQ Artsworx will present the inaugural Music Showcase concert on November 5.

The 90-minute program will feature eight graduating instrumentalists and singers from the University’s School of Creative Arts.

USQ Senior Lecturer in Music and Co-ordinator of Music, Dr Phillip Gearing said this would be an exciting evening of musical snapshots selected to best showcase the individual talents of the students.

'The Showcase demonstrates a number of facets of USQ Music including the variety of music making and interdisciplinary possibilities now on offer with our new Creative Arts degree,' Dr Gearing said.

'This year, we have eleven graduating instrumentalists, six of whom will be appearing in the concert, along with two contemporary voice students who are Theatre majors.'

Audiences will be treated to a range of musical styles and ensemble variations combining solo, ensemble, vocal and instrumental arrangements featuring piano, saxophone, jazz and voice.

Pianists Noralyn Jowett, Maree Kilpatrick, Shannon Lotz, Rianne Sue Yek, Rebecca Sims, Lauren Prestridge, Marina Paroz, Anne Langguth and Keith Lee will perform solos and ensemble items including Ravel’s Une barque sur l’ocean from Miroirs; Chopin’s Ballade in f minor, Op 52, Grainger’s Country Gardens and Strauss’ Barbara Polka.

James Laundon (alto and soprano saxophones), Rowland Briese (tenor saxophone), Martin Crook (clarinet), Shannon Lotz (piano), Nick Williams (bass guitar) and Jamie Nuss (drums) will combine in a jazz ensemble to play Joe Primrose’s St James Infirmary, Duke Ellington’s In a Sentimental Mood and Ned Washington and Bronislau Kaper’s On Green Dolphin Street.

Contemporary voice students, Christopher White and Samantha Raaen will bring a little bit of Broadway to the program with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Kansas City from Oklahoma! and Schwartz’s As Long as You’re Mine from Wicked.

And a solo tenor saxophone performance of Handel’s Sonata No 4 in B-flat major by Rowland Briese will round off the diverse program.

'Music at USQ is all quite diverse; we still have a strong base in music theory and music history courses and our instrumental students receive a sound classical training, but we are especially excited about the burgeoning contemporary voice and piano cohorts. Our graduates continue to go on to successful careers as performers while others continue with further study to become educators themselves.

'One of this year’s graduates, Shannon Lotz, is taking up study at the Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff next year.'

The Music Showcase will commence at 7.30pm in the USQ Arts Theatre on Friday November 5.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 concession, $15 student, $7.50 child and can be purchased through the USQ Artsworx Box Office on 07 4631 1111.