School of Music, Theatre and Dance

Oakland Symphony Orchestra to perform Nov. 4

Concert will highlight the saxophone; include performances by Brant Ford, Assembly Quartet

icon of a calendarOctober 30, 2018

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Oakland Symphony Orchestra to perform Nov. 4
Assembly Quartet
The Oakland Symphony Orchestra concert on Nov. 4 will include the world premiere of "Aurum Tetra" by Benjamin Taylor and featuring the Assembly Saxophone Quartet.

The Oakland Symphony Orchestra(OSO), Oakland University’s orchestra-in-residence, will present the second concert of its 2018-19 performance season at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4 in Varner Recital Hall.

Comprised of professional musicians from throughout Southeastern Michigan and Northern Ohio, OU students, and OU faculty, the OSO performs most of its concerts on the OU campus in Varner Hall, with its final annual performance held in Orchestra Hall in Detroit in collaboration with the Oakland University Symphony Chorus.

“One of OU’s ‘hidden treasures,’ the OSO has a proud tradition of excellence dating back to 1976,” said Dr. Gregory Cunningham, conductor, who is beginning his 22nd year at Oakland University, where he serves as music director the OSO, and professor of orchestral and wind conducting.

The program on Nov. 4 will include Sensemayá by Silvestre Revueltas; Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24 by Richard Strauss, and the world premiere of Aurum Tetra (Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra) by Benjamin Taylor. Aurum Tetra will feature the Assembly Saxophone Quartet, which consists of Jeffrey Heisler of Oakland University on soprano saxophone, Ian Jeffress of Western Carolina University on alto saxophone, Matthew Younglove of Wayne State University on tenor saxophone, and Adam Estes of the University of Mississippi on baritone saxophone.

Aurom Tetra is Latin for ‘Golden Four’ and has multiple meanings according to the composer,” said Heisler, an associate professor of music, saxophone and conducting. “This recasting of the work for saxophone quartet brings the saxophone’s penchant for a multiplicity of sounds and styles to the forefront.”

Brant Ford
Brant Ford

The program will also include Concerto for Alto Saxophone in E-flat major, Op. 109 by Alexander Glazunov, featuring alto saxophonist Brant Ford, a student of Heisler and the co-winner of the 2017-18 Oakland University concerto competition. Ford also recently won first prize in the 2018 American Single Reed Summit young artist saxophone competition.

“Brant displays musical maturity beyond his years — he has a tenacious work ethic and is brilliant in his processing and interpretation of music,” Heisler said. “He is an absolute joy to teach. I am looking forward to Brant’s future in the saxophone/music world. I believe he has what it takes to become an elite artist in our field.”

Tickets for the Nov. 4 performance are $22 for general admission or $12 for students, and can be purchased in advance by calling Star Tickets at (800) 585-3737,  online without a service fee at startickets.com, or in person at the Varner Hall box office. Tickets are also sold one hour before each performance, subject to availability.

Tickets purchased by phone or online will be held at will call at no additional charge. Everyone must show ID when picking up tickets.

Varner Recital Hall is located at 371 Varner Drive. Maps of the campus are available at oakland.edu/map.

For more information about OU’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance, including upcoming programs and performances, call (248) 370-2030 or visit oakland.edu/smtd.

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