There aren’t many concerts on Earth in which the audience enjoys the strains of an aria only to, a performance or two later, swing to the jive of a vocal jazz group.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s MUSICA VIVA! is not your typical concert.
The 3rd annual MUSICA VIVA! showcase of UW Oshkosh student and faculty musical talent is set for Saturday, April 13 starting at 6 p.m. at the Arts and Communication Building Music Hall. The evening of elegant food, wine and diverse music raises scholarship funds for student musicians.
“As a transfer student returning to college after 25-plus years, this will be the first time I have had privilege to perform for MUSICA VIVA,” said student Elizabeth Chafey-Hon, who will be featured in a performance of the second movement of Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2. “I think it’s an important and valuable event that gives the public an inside view of what we do here in the Music Department of UW Oshkosh.”
The evening will feature student and faculty performances of an array of music spanning centuries and styles, from the music of Brahms to Mozart to modern indie rock singer-songwriter Benjamin Gibbard. Music will range from opera to jazz to an original piece of electronic music written by UW Oshkosh music faculty member and composer Ed Martin and performed by fellow faculty member and pianist Jeri Mae-Astolfi.
“This year’s program will run the gamut of genres and styles,” said Linda Pereksta, assistant professor of flute at UW Oshkosh and a coordinator of MUSICA VIVA’s performances. “We will feature soloists as well as choir, string quartet, bell choir, brass and guitar ensembles. Stylistically, you’ll hear music of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern periods, including opera, electronic music, jazz and tango.”
All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit UW Oshkosh music student scholarships.
The focus and dedication necessary for students to master an instrument – that includes voices — and balance performances with a regular academic schedule in UW Oshkosh’s music program makes it difficult for many to pursue jobs while they are in college. The MUSICA VIVA! scholarship funding is an incredibly important fuel for student musicians’ academic journeys, Pereksta said.
“Majoring in music requires a unique synthesis of knowledge and skill development, requiring substantial amounts of time devoted to individual practice, ensemble rehearsal and performance,” said Pereksta, who will also perform a duet with faculty member Allison Shaw on marimba in “Histoire du Tango” by Ástor Piazzolla. “Scholarship support is vital in enabling our students to be successful in their chosen paths.”
MUSICA VIVA! admission is $50 and includes hors d’oeuvres, a pre-concert reception featuring wines and other beverages selected by Music Professor Emeritus Jim Grine from McKnight and Carlson and a post-concert dessert buffet.
The event is sponsored by media sponsors the Oshkosh Northwestern, Wisconsin Public Radio and event sponsors including: Heid Music, House of Flowers, ALS Printing, BIOFerm USA, Bank First National, Oshkosh Chamber Singers, Bergstrom Automotive, Lapham-Hickey, Carl and Kathy Chapman, James and Geri Grine, Carleen and Daniel Vande Zande, Thatcher and Joanne Peterson, Alice Toepel and Carmen Shaw, John and Susan Vette and Ron and Jody Rupich. The hors d’ouvres reception is sponsored by the UW Oshkosh Foundation.
Learn more: