The University of Miami Frost School of Music presents musical icon Gunther Schuller, jazz saxophonist Benny Golson, composer Ellen Taafe Zwilich, singer-songwriter Craig Carothers and violinist Joseph Silverstein as part of the 2011-2012 Stamps Family Distinguished Visitors Series, presented on September 30, October 6, February 7, March 2 and March 20 respectively. All lectures will be presented at Clarke Recital Hall at the Weeks Center for Recording and Performance, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146. Admission to all five lectures is free, but a ticket is required. Reserve online at http://www.music.miami.edu/concerts or call (305) 284-4940.
The Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Distinguished Visitors Series was established in 2003 through the extraordinary vision and generous commitment of Roe and Penny Stamps. The annual series brings an array of significant artists, scholars and music industry leaders to the Frost School of Music for the educational and artistic enrichment of its students, as well as the community.
Conductor-composer Gunther Schuller will lecture on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. Schuller is a winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the MacArthur Foundation “genius” award, as well as two Guggenheim fellowships, the Darius Milhaud Award, and the Rodgers & Hammerstein Award. Schuller, an original member of the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, has composed more than 160 original works, with commissions by the Baltimore Symphony, Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and others. In addition to his compositions, Schuller is an author of definitive books on the history of jazz and French horn technique and a teacher of composition at Yale University. Today, Schuller is Artistic Director of the Northwest Bach Festival in Spokane, Washington and travels extensively as a conductor.
Benny Golson is a multitalented saxophonist, and composer. His Stamps Distinguished Lecture will be presented on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. Golson began his career as a member of the Dizzy Gillespie band and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. With over 30 albums to his credit, some of Golson’s most popular compositions include “Blues March,” “I Remember Clifford,” “Killer Joe,” and “Stablemates.” His music was also featured on television shows such as M*A*S*H, Mission Impossible, and The Cosby Show. Benny Golson is an NEA Jazz Master and a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award.
Craig Carothers is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter originally from Portland, Oregon. His Stamps Distinguished lecture will take place Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Corothers’s songs have been recorded by such artists as Kathy Mattea, Lorrie Markowitz, Andrea Zonn, and Steve Seskin. Carothers also wrote several songs for the 2005 movie The Californians.
Composer Ellen Taafee Zwilich will lecture on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Zwilich is a Pulitzer Prize-winning and multi-Grammy- nominated composer. Her music is widely performed and recorded by leading orchestras and chamber ensembles. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from Florida State University and a doctorate from the Julliard School of Music. Her distinct music is known for its technical substance and appeal to mixed audiences.
Joseph Silverstein, concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1962 to 1984 will lecture as a Stamps Distinguished Visitor on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 3:30 p.m, A renowned violinist and conductor, Silverstein served as Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1971 and music director from 1983 to 1998 of the Utah Symphony, which named him conductor laureate in the 1998-1999 season. He also served as Principal Guest Conductor of Seattle’s Northwest Chamber Orchestra and has been Artistic Advisor for several orchestras including Hartford, Kansas City, Baltimore, Toledo, Winnipeg, Oakland, and Louisville. Through his talented musical works, Silverstein is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and has been on the faculties of schools like Boston University, Yale University, and the Tanglewood Music Center.
For more information or to reserve tickets, call (305) 284-4940 or visit http://www.music.miami.edu/concerts.