Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony at Hill Auditorium

The San Francisco Symphony’s performance last week was really a show for everyone. The SFO opened the evening with Sibelius’ final symphony, and concluded with Beethoven’s 3^rd Symphony, otherwise titled “Eroica”. The performance was simply magnificent, as expected from one of the world’s most highly acclaimed orchestras. The contrasting nature of these two pieces was underlined by Associate Conductor James Gaffigan, at his appearance during Arts & Eats. In response to an insightful question, Mr. Gaffigan decided that an apt title for the evening performance be “revolutionary symphonies”. Mr Gaffigan explained how both Sibelius and Beethoven forward thinking composers during their respective times; both individuals were pioneering the traditional style and form of the traditional classical symphony. Although each composer lived during a different age in time, both explore contrasting themes of heroism and despair, and take the listener on a dramatic musical and emotional journey. Under conductor Michael Tilson Thomas’ baton, the symphony made for certain that no audience member was excluded from the musical experience. Tilson made a special effort to break the ice at the concert’s beginning. Unlike the traditional classical concert, Tilson was very candid with the audience, and introduced the orchestra with a brief discourse on the evening repertoire, making sure that no audience member felt out of place. Even associate conductor James Gaffigan emphasized at his Arts & Eats discussion that classical music is for everyone to enjoy, regardless of one’s musical background.

The concert’s audience included people of all types, from seasoned classical enthusiasts to individuals I met who had never before attended a classical concert. I was surprised to see just as many non-students as students at the Arts & Eats event before the concert, although it was wonderful to see so many individuals excited about classical music. The Arts & Eats event was packed with people, anticipating the performance; thanks to good planning, there was plenty of pizza and drinks for everyone. The SFO was showered with applause and needless to say, received a standing ovation. As an encore piece, the SFO performed the Third Entr’acte from Schubert's Rosamunde, and to everyone’s delight, the “Victors” with members of the university’s own marching band.

Yours truly,

Yash
UMS Student Committee member

Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony ‘Rock Out’- A new place for the orchestral spotlight

Hi everyone, this is Yash, UMSSC member.


The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra will be performing at Hill Auditorium on March 14th, 2008. Be sure to join UMS for this surely magnificent performance.

For almost a century, the SFS has been celebrated for promoting valued classical traditions while continuing to transcend the confines of mainstream orchestral repertoire. Through assimilating non-classical musical forms and genres into their musical agenda, the SFS has welcomed a whole new realm of music enthusiasts and has brought a new level of excitement to the symphonic orchestra.

In 1999, the Elektra label featured the SFS with the iconic American rock band ‘Metallica’ in a remarkable fusion of heavy metal and classical music. Under the baton of co-producer Michael Kamen, this amazing union of old and new draws from the strengths of both sides and showcases each of these musical genres in a stunning new light. The SFS manages to intertwine classical elements into Metallica's beautifully crafted music, and brings the level of musicianship and expressionism to a totally different level.

Click here and take a listen yourself. Here is a YouTube video of the SFS and Metallica in their gripping performance of “Nothing Else Matters”.



Be sure to join UMS and the San Francisco Symphony on March 14th, 2008. The evening’s repertoire will include two orchestral favorites: Sibelius’s 7th Symphony and Beethoven’s "Eroica" Symphony with conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.

I would definitely recommend purchasing tickets for the Arts & Eats event. Before SFS's performance, UMS will provide a FREE pizza dinner as well feature a guest speaker to enlighten us all on the coming performance. Arts & Eats tickets are discounted but limited so be sure to get them soon.

Hope to see you there!

-Yash Somnay
UMS Student Committee Member

Sneak Preview of UMS

Hey guys, its Andy from the UMS Student Committee. Check out these YouTube videos of performances UMS is bringing to Ann Arbor in the next couple of months:


SFJazz will be in town Thursday, March 13, at Hill Auditorium with "A Tribute to Wayne Shorter"


Urban Bush Women and Compagnie Jant-Bi will be performing Friday and Saturday, March 28-29, in the Power Center.


Lang Lang will be here Wednesday, April 2, also at Hill Auditorium. "...there is nothing to do but gape in awestruck amazement," says the San Francisco Chronicle.


Brad Mehldau Trio will be in the Michigan Theater on Friday, April 4. If you are a fan of jazz, you have to see these guys perform.

These are just a small sample of the performances left on the current season. For times, prices, and more info on these and the other performances, check out www.ums.org

I'll be at most of these shows and a few others. Hope I see some you at an upcoming show,
Andy
UMSSC Vice President

A Quick Update!

As you are hopefully aware, UMS and the U-M office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives are co-presenting a Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day concert featuring Mos Def in a tribute to Detroit's most influential and respected producer, J Dilla, who died in February, 2006 at age 32 from complications from lupus. The Michigan Daily has a great article about this upcoming performance and its significance that can be found here. To purchase tickets for this performance, please visit www.ums.org or call the ticket office at 734-764-2538.

You may have received a Facebook message encouraging your participation in Facebook/Case Foundation's Giving Challenge. Facebook partnered with the Case Foundation to issue grants to non-profits through the online networking site. UMS participated in the challenge to receive the most unique (individual) donations in a 24-hour period, with the goal of receiving the $1,000 award. From 3 pm on Wednesday, January 16 through 3 pm on Thursday, January 17, UMS recruited 62 members to our Facebook cause, 34 of whom made donations. The total raised during the 24-hour period was $665. While UMS didn't win the $1,000 Challenge (we lost to Fight AIDS Now by 53 donations), this initiative helped raise awareness of UMS. You can still view, join, invite members to, or donate to the UMS Cause on Facebook here. More information on the Facebook Causes Giving Challenge program can be found here.

On a final note, please come visit UMS at Winterfest on the second floor of the Michigan Union on January 24 from 4-8 pm. Come by to learn more about UMS and pick up a free UMS cup and t-shirt!

It's been an eventful month!

September always proves to be a busy month for UMS and the UMS Student Committee -- with student welcoming events, the student half-price ticket sale, our first committee meeting, and the start of a new performance season, it’s not hard to understand why!

Members of the student committee were present at many of the student events during Welcome Week, including Artscapade and the Graduate Student Orientation Resource Fair. UMS also had a booth at Festifall and Northfest, where many interested students received information about our student ticket programs and upcoming performances (and picked up a UMS cup and t-shirt as well!). We also let students know about one of the best ways to purchase cheap tickets to UMS performances – the UMS Half-Price Student Ticket Sale.

The Half-Price Sale, which ran from September 12 to September 16, was a HUGE success. Not only did over 1300 students place orders, but over 800 tickets were ordered within the first two hours!

In other news, the UMS Student Committee had our first meeting on September 18 in the conference room at the UMS offices. Ken Fischer, president of UMS, stopped by to introduce himself and meet those in attendance. (To see photos Ken took at the meeting, click here.) While enjoying ice cream sundaes, we discussed goals for the year and upcoming committee events. Members of the committee will be volunteering this weekend at the Shen Wei Arts & Eats event and will help set up for a China Reception following the performance.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the student committee or would like to come to a meeting, please e-mail umsstudents-board@umich.edu to receive more information. Serving on the committee provides a great way to get a “behind-the scenes” look at UMS. It’s never too late to get involved!