The University at Albany Department of Music is pleased to present this season’s second concert by the University Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 7pm in the Main Theatre of the Performing Arts Center on the uptown campus. The program celebrates the works of Johann Strauss (1825-1899), the Waltz King.

Both Johann Strausses were composers of dance music of universal celebrity. Against his father’s wishes, the younger Strauss prepared for a musical career and eventually rivaled the elder Strauss as a composer and conductor. After his marriage to the popular singer, Henriette Treffz, the younger Strauss became director at the court balls in Vienna. He made concert-trips to Paris, London, New York and Boston, and was greeted everywhere with tremendous ovations. He was a prolific composer, with approximately four hundred waltzes and countless light operas to his credit, and is now considered the most brilliant member of a brilliant, musical family.

The performance marks the second full concert by the orchestra under the direction of faculty member Christopher David Neubert, its new conductor. Originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Neubert first studied violin with his father and began an early professional career playing viola and then double bass with the Allentown Symphony. He has also been a member of the double bass sections of the Long Island Symphony, the Northeast (PA) Philharmonic, the Utica Symphony and the Merrick Symphony. In 1982, he was named conductor of the Allentown Symphony Pops Orchestra and later founded the Port Jefferson Pops Orchestra on Long Island.

In addition to his work at UAlbany, Neubert is Director of Music and Orchestral Studies for the Niskayuna Schools. He also serves on the adjunct faculty at The College of Saint Rose where he is a member of the String Education faculty, conductor of the College Chamber Orchestra and Professor of Double Bass. Neubert is an active New York School Music (NYSSMA) All-State and Major Organization Adjudicator and guest conducts a variety of bands and orchestra festivals throughout the Northeast. He also maintains The Neubert Studio in Saratoga Springs where students study violin, viola, cello and double bass in preparation for careers in both education and performance music.

Tickets are $8 for the general public, $6 for seniors & UAlbany faculty/staff and $4 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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