The University at Albany Department of Music is pleased to present a shared program by the University Concert Band and the University Percussion Ensemble on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 7:30pm in the Main Theatre of the Performing Arts Center on the uptown campus.

Directed by faculty member Kevin Champagne, the Concert Band’s portion of the program will include Robert Washburn’s “Burlesk For Band,” Robert Sheldon’s “A Prairie Portrait,” Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Dubinushka,” David R. Holsinger’s “Abram’s Pursuit” and selections of Jonathan Larson’s music from Rent.

Directed by faculty member Richard Albagli, the Percussion Ensemble’s featured work will be a piece by the Pulitzer Prize winning composer Christopher Rouse entitled "Bonham." It is Rouse's tribute to Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham and incorporates many of the beats and ‘feel’ of the New Orleans scene in the late 20th century. Also on the ensemble’s portion of the program will be some novelty works, some ragtime music and a special arrangement of "Danny Boy" based on a version by jazz vibraphonist Victor Feldman.

Champagne has performed throughout New York State as a solo classical guitarist as well as with various jazz and rock bands. He has also sung with the Westminster Choir College at Carnegie Hall and with the College of Saint Rose Masterworks Chorale at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Champagne has been employed as Band Director at Lansingburgh Central School District since 1988.

Albagli is Principal Percussionist with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, co-founder of the Adirondack Percussion Ensemble and a member of the music faculty of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has served as the Musical Director of the Empire State Youth Percussion Ensemble since its inception in 1983. A graduate of both the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Physics) and the Eastman School of Music (Performance), Albagli has composed more than twenty works for solo percussion and percussion ensemble, along with a timpani concerto and two works for ensemble and chorus.

Tickets are $6 for the general public and $3 for students and may be purchased through the Performing Arts Center Box Office. For further information, contact the Box Office at (518) 442-3997 or visit the Performing Arts Center website at www.albany.edu/pac.

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