UW-Green Bay alumni drum up support for scholarships
The gift of music will be on display for all to hear and see Saturday, April 24, when the UW-Green Bay Alumni Contemporary Percussion Ensemble and Alumni Hand Drumming Ensemble perform in the University Theatre in Theatre Hall.
Dozens of UW-Green Bay alumni – some who majored in music, some who majored elsewhere but shared a common passion – have volunteered to perform in this fundraising concert that will help build the Music Alumni Scholarship Fund that was launched in the fall of 2009. The goal is to raise $12,000 by October 2012.
UW-Green Bay Professor Cheryl Grosso, who will direct the concert, said performers are coming from as far away as Mesa, Ariz. and New York City. And the tenure of the ensembles will reflect the 25 years that Grosso has been teaching at the University.
“The alumni performing in the concert came to appreciate many of the same things and expand their worlds in similar ways during their early adulthood. Even though they have all gone in their own directions upon graduation, many of them have heard stories about each other, they continue to have music in their lives to varying degrees, and it will be exciting for them to meet and make music together,” Grosso said.
The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. First to take the stage will be the 18-member Alumni Contemporary Percussion Ensemble, which will perform selections ranging from Rock Etude by Bill Douglas to The Grand Ambition of the Bb Zombies by John Bergamo.
After an intermission, the 27 members of the Alumni Hand Drumming Ensemble will perform five selections by Prof. Grosso.
After the concert there will be a gathering at Mackinaw’s Grill.
“I hope that doesn’t sound corny. But, I think it’s going to be an exhilarating couple of days to be with former students who have impacted and shaped my teaching and to bring together so much alumni talent. I know the musical outcome will be as rewarding as the personal experience,” she added. “Chris Neuner, who is flying in from New York City said, when I first contacted him about the event, ‘I can think of no better way to spend my 40th birthday.’”
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. They can be purchased at the door, or in advance online at www.uwgb.edu/tickets/ or by calling at (920) 465-2217 or 1-800-328-8587.
All ticket sales will go towards the scholarship fund. Those who are unable to attend the performance can make a donation to the UW-Green Bay Alumni Scholarship Fund through the UW-Green Bay Advancement Office.
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