THIBODAUX – The faculty of the Nicholls State University Department of Music will present “Nocturne” – a recital in support of music scholarships – on Friday, May 7, in Talbot Theater on the university campus.
The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., during which guests will be able to participate in a silent auction with final bids to be placed during the recital’s intermission.
The recital will begin at 7:30 p.m., showcasing the talents of the Nicholls music faculty. After the program, guests will enjoy a coffee and dessert reception.
A variety of performance media and historical musical styles await the concertgoer. The program will include performances by harpsichordist Dr. Carol Britt, head of the Department of Music and associate professor of music; singer Dr. Kenneth Klaus, professor of music and director of choral activities; violinist James Alexander, adjunct instructor of music; flutist Paula Van Goes, instructor of music; trombonist Cristina Mendoza, instructor of music and assistant director of bands; percussionists Eric Gueniot, instructor of music and assistant director of bands, and Gregory Torres, instructor of music and director of bands; and pianists Dr. Luciana Soares, assistant professor of music, Donna Sammarco and Fran Hebert, instructors of music, and Casey Haynes, staff accompanist.
In recognition of the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann’s birth, Soares will open the concert with selections from “Scenes from Childhood” for piano, and Klaus will sing selections from “Dichterliebe,” accompanied by Sammarco. Cristina Mendoza will play “Pearls” by Roland Szentpanli, with Fran Hebert on piano, and the Alexander-Soares violin and piano duo will follow with the “Hungarian Dance in F Major” by Johannes Brahms.
The second portion of the recital will begin with Gueniot and Torres performing Marshall Griffith’s “Plagal Alternations for Timpani and Percussion.” Van Goes will be joined by Sammarco in a performance of “Baroque and Blue,” from Claude Bolling’s “Suite for Flute and Piano,” and Britt will perform “Prelude and Fugue in C Major” from the “Well-Tempered Clavier,” by Johann Sebastian Bach. The recital will conclude with Haynes’ and Sammarco’s performance of George Bizet’s “The Ball” from “Children’s Games,” for two pianos.
Several sponsorship levels are available. A gift of $1,200 places the donor at the “Serenade” level, which includes eight tickets to “Nocturne” and a private violin and piano recital presented by Alexander and Soares at the location of the donor’s choosing. Profits from the “Serenade” level will be used exclusively to support piano majors.
A gift of $800 places the guest at the “Polonaise” level, which includes eight tickets to “Nocturne.” A $500 gift designates the “Mazurka” level and includes four tickets.
Individual tickets are available for $50 each, which includes the concert and both receptions.
Cocktail attire is requested. Guests should R. S. V. P. by Friday, April 23, by calling (985) 448-4600. Checks should be made payable to the Nicholls State University Foundation.
