Oakland University to Present World Music Concert on December 8

Oakland University (OU) to Present World Music Concert, Featuring Chinelo Amen-Ra, on December 8 Renowned drummer Chinelo Amen-Ra will join Oakland University’s Akwaaba African Ensemble, Ngoma World Percussion Ensemble and Pan-Jumbies Steel Band to present the annual fall World Music Concert at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, in Varner Recital Hall. The program will feature music from Africa and the Caribbean, according to Mark Stone, an associate professor of World Music and … [Read more...]

The Art of Spanish Guitar, Concert at Oakland University on Sunday

Classical Guitarist Celino Romero, Oakland University Music Faculty to Perform in Concert April 2 Celino Romero of Los Romeros, the legendary “Royal Family of the Guitar,” will perform a varied program of solos, duets and ensemble pieces from across the guitar tradition, featuring three musicians from the Oakland University guitar community, James Lentini, Bret Hoag and Terry Herald. The concert takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 2 in Varner Recital Hall. The program will … [Read more...]

15th Annual Diverse Voices Conference at Oakland University March 18

Diverse Voices Conference to Highlight Equality and Inclusion Efforts at Oakland University  Oakland University will present the 15th Annual Diverse Voices Conference from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 in the Varner Recital Hall. The free event is open to the public and provides participants with a unique opportunity to engage in an open dialogue about all aspects of human diversity. “It is unique in that it moves diversity education outside of the classroom and into … [Read more...]

Classical Music Quintet to Play Varner Recital Hall at OU

Grammy-nominated quintet Imani Winds coming to Oakland University March 12 For twenty years, Imani Winds has taken a unique path, carving out a distinct presence in the classical music world with its dynamic playing, culturally poignant programming, adventurous collaborations and inspirational outreach programs. The Grammy-nominated wind quintet will perform as part of the Chamber Music Society of Detroit at Oakland University series on Sunday, March 12 at 3:00 p.m., in Varner Recital Hall … [Read more...]

Internationally Acclaimed Lyric Baritone Jonathan Retzlaff to Perform March 3 at OU

Internationally Acclaimed Lyric Baritone Jonathan Retzlaff to Perform at Oakland University The Music Program at Oakland University welcomes internationally acclaimed lyric baritone and Eastman School of Music faculty member Jonathan Retzlaff for an elegant and charming evening of beautifully sung art songs. Dr. Retzlaff will perform in Varner Recital Hall on Friday, March 3 at 8:00 p.m. on the Oakland University campus. The concert, with Jennifer McGuire on piano, will … [Read more...]

Tokyo-Born Pianist Kotaro Fukuma to Perform at OU’s Varner Recital Hall

Internationally Acclaimed Pianist Kotaro Fukuma Performs at Oakland University's Varner Recital Hall on February 24  Oakland University welcomes Tokyo-born pianist Kotaro Fukuma to Varner Recital Hall on Friday, February 24 at 8:00 p.m. to perform as a guest artist of the Music program. Hailed as “A fabulous artist... and a prince among peers,” by The Independent (UK), Kotaro Fukuma has received many high awards in international competitions, including the Arthur Rubinstein, Gina Bachauer, … [Read more...]

Young Artists Concert at OU

Oakland University Presents 20th Annual Young Artists Concert At 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, four of OU’s most promising music students will perform with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra (OSO) in the 20th Annual David Daniels Young Artists Concert. They are the winners of the 2016-2017 Oakland University Concerto Competition. Professor Gregory Cunningham, who is one of the competition’s judges and the conductor of the OSO said, “The concerto competition is always fiercely contested … [Read more...]

Oakland Symphony Orchestra Performance Features 20th-Century Favorites

At 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 6, the Oakland Symphony Orchestra (OSO), Oakland University’s orchestra-in-residence, will give the second of its two fall 2016 concerts. The orchestra will feature a program of 20th-century music, including the Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein; Sea Blue Circuitry by Mason Bates; Suite from The Tenderland by Aaron Copland; and Piano Concerto in F by George Gershwin with piano soloist Dr I-Chen Yeh. The OSO has a proud tradition of excellence … [Read more...]

Ben Wendel Group Performs at Oakland University

At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20, the Ben Wendel Group, featuring Gerald Clayton (piano), Joe Sanders (bass), and Henry Cole (drums) will play at Oakland University in a concert sponsored by The Judd Family Endowed Fund. Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ben Wendel and his group will provide an evening of modern improvisational music in support of Ben’s new album What We Bring. “This will be a mind-blowing concert,” said OU jazz program director Miles Brown. There is more information … [Read more...]

The Adventures of Pinocchio at OU

Once again this year the theatre program at Oakland University is finishing up its performance season with a production for families. Audiences of all ages are invited to attend one of four performances of the musical The Adventures of Pinocchio. The familiar story of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy is based on Carlo Collodi’s classic tale. This fast-paced version has music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and a book by Brian Hill. Even the youngest children will be enthralled by this … [Read more...]