A number of December events are being planned by the School of Music. The schedule follows:
"Chicken Little" premieres: The Penn State Opera Theatre will present its annual Opera Intermezzo performance at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2 in Esber Recital Hall in Music Building I, University Park. It features the world premiere of "Chicken Little," a children's opera by Bruce Trinkley, and includes scenes from Giuseppe Verdi's "Falstaff," W.A. Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte," Gaetano Donizetti's "Elixir of Love" and Benjamin Britten's "Albert Herring." Tickets are $4.99.The Penn State Opera Theatre is led by Susan Boardman, director, and Beverly Patton, music director. The performers, all students of voice in the School of Music, range in age from freshmen to graduate students.
Guest artists: Damian Savarino, voice, and Rebecca Wilt, piano, will present a guest artist recital at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec, 7, in Esber Recital Hall, Music Building I, University Park. Savarino has appeared throughout the country performing such opera roles as well as concert performances. Savarino is a graduate of Ithaca College and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he worked and trained extensively with John Moriarty. He is currently on the voice faculty of Messiah College. Wilt is a member of the duo Equinox, with Denver Dill, which tours the United States several times a year, as well as appearances in Europe and Asia. Wilt is head of the piano and collaborative piano programs at Messiah College.
Retirement celebration: A retirement celebration concert in honor of Joyce Buck will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in Esber Recital Hall, Music Building I, University Park. The Baroque Ensemble will perform a new work written for the ensemble in honor of Joyce Buck by composer and son Peter Buck. The concert will feature Marylene Dosse on piano. The event is open to the public. Attendees will be asked to make a contribution to help fund a scholarship in Buck's honor.
Concert scheduled: The Concert and Campus Bands will present a concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park. Erik Jester, Matthew Stombaugh and Greg Drane will serve as conductors. Tickets are $6 and $3.50 and may be purchased by calling (814) 863-0255.
Symphonic concert: The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band will present a concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, in Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park. Dennis Glocke is conductor and Matthew Stombaugh is assistant conductor. Scott Kemerer, winner of the 2006-07 Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition, will be the marimba soloist. Tickets are $6 and $3.50 and may be purchased by calling (814) 863-0255.