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Heitzinger, Robert

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12/11/23, 3:05 PM November 2021 Department Newsletter, Volume Xhttps://myemail.constantcontact.com/November-2021-Department-Newsletter--Volume-X.html?soid=1107378337982&aid=87Pprmrwuc4 1/5  SHARE:  Join Our Email ListVolume X | November 2021From the ChairThink back one year—November 2020. We were in the midst of one ofthe most momentous events of our lives. Everything changed. Theway we interacted, the way we worked, the way we played, and yes,the way we made music. Until this fall, the halls of the Fine ArtsBuilding have been eerily silent and it’s great to once again hearmusic coming from faculty studios, rehearsal spaces and practicerooms.Can we make up for lost time? I guess that depends on howcommitted we are to forging new paths and discovering new ways ofcreating our art. We are, by nature, creative creatures. Musicians12/11/23, 3:05 PM November 2021 Department Newsletter, Volume Xhttps://myemail.constantcontact.com/November-2021-Department-Newsletter--Volume-X.html?soid=1107378337982&aid=87Pprmrwuc4 2/5thrive on challenge, innovation and improvisation. There are certainly enough problemsfor us to deal with, but my wish for all of us is that we tap into the deep well of artistrythat lives in us. That may not solve any problems but it certainly makes life a lot betterand it’s what sustains our spirits. So, prepare for the next challenge by spending moretime in the library or practice room. Find some time to be silly, some time to be intense,some time to give thanks and some time to explore who you are NOW. You might besurprised and amazed at what you discover—I hope so!Sing on! Play on!--Dr. Robert HeitzingerPerformance Spotlight: A Requiem for Today's MomentThe NEIU Choral Program is partnering with /Kor/Productions, this semester on a collaborativeperformance of Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem (AGerman Requiem). Brahms’ Requiem was selected becauseof the unique perspective it offers among requiems; it isconsidered unusual in the canon in that it is written for the living and not the deceased.Much of the text and musical content is meant to console those that are living, as noticedin the first line of the text, “Selig sind die da Leid tragen, den sie sollen getröstetwerden/Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall have comfort.” We thought a Requiem withthe sentiment of comforting the living would be a meaningful way to honor all of us as wecontinue to mourn the effects of this global pandemic as well as memorialize all those thatwe have lost. Join Dr. Christopher Owen and the NEIU Chamber Singers and Chorus atthe beautiful Queen of the Apostles Church (2330 W. Sunnyside Ave) on Friday,December 3 at 7:30pm for a gorgeous performance of this meaningful work.Program Spotlight: Concerto Performances Go On!The NEIU Orchestra program has been thrilled to present the winners of both the NEIUElyse J. Mach Concerto Competition and the Chicago Chamber Music Festival ConcertoCompetition over the last many years. During the pandemic, we have been unable topresent large-scale concerts as an orchestra, but the competitions have endured,continuing to serve as a motivating goal for our student musicians and a celebration of thehard work and musical talents of all the participants. This semester feels like a triumphantreturn to live performance and it is only fitting that we champion the recent winners whohave not been able to offer their performances.The orchestra's October 14 concert featured Vladimir Dinic, clarinet and Erika BrownThomas, soprano. Join conductor Benjamin Firer on Thursday, November 18 at 7:30pm inthe NEIU Auditorium to hear Abby Reed, violin, Samuel Kim, piano, Jan VargasNedvetsky, cello, Freddy Quintero, double bass, and Megan Wilhelm, soprano. We can't waitfor you to hear this outstanding musical talent!12/11/23, 3:05 PM November 2021 Department Newsletter, Volume Xhttps://myemail.constantcontact.com/November-2021-Department-Newsletter--Volume-X.html?soid=1107378337982&aid=87Pprmrwuc4 3/5Student Spotlight: Emily PerezI still remember the day when I first stepped onto campusfor a college visit: I instantly felt the warm and invitingaura of Northeastern and I knew I was right at home.Although I am timid, I love getting to know all theindividuals that make up the music department.Northeastern is unique because everyone comes fromdifferent backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, and musicteaching experience. Despite all the things that make everystudent or professor different, we still come together tohelp each other succeed, which is what I love the most.In the future, I hope to find a teaching job at an elementaryschool doing general music and possibly return to NEIU toearn a masters in Psychology. Recently, I’ve gained aninterest in studying the human body due to some recentstruggles with pain while playing the clarinet. I would love to become a licensed massagetherapist to help other musicians manage any physical pain that they feel when playing.I chose a picture of me alongside a clarinet player named Benjamin Ford, who was myride or die buddy all throughout high school band. He would call me Emilia, and for that Iwould call him Ginger. I’m grateful for the opportunities and support that both NEIU andthe North Park community have given me and I’m also super happy that I managed tofind myself another Ben here at NEIU!Chicago's Oldest Nutcracker, right here at NEIUThe quintessential holiday and family classic is back! The little girlheroine, her mysterious godfather magician, the battle between toysoldiers and mice, a forest glade of dancing Snowflakes—theseiconic scenes are brought to life in this beautiful production of RuthPage’s The Nutcracker. Originally presented in the Arie CrownTheater from 1965 until 1997, this production recreates the belovedChicago holiday version’s original full-length staging. Featuringinternational artists alongside the Ruth Page Civic Ballet TrainingCompany’s elite dancers, experience the exquisite performances,stunning costumes and magical settings in the Land of Snow andthe Kingdom of Sweets like never before! On Tuesday, November 16 at 3:05pm, join us in the Auditorium for the second of fourBehind the Curtain events this school year presented by Ruth Page Dance exploring thehistory of this production. Learn from some of the creative team how the iconicproduction was transformed for the presentations at NEIU, and see a few of your favoritedance characters in a short performance. This event is free and open to the public.Then, come back for the full production in December!Saturday, December 11 at 3:00pm & 7:00pmSunday, December 12 at 1:00pm & 5:00pmNEIU AuditoriumAdmission: $5 - $40. Visit neiu.edu/tickets for details.Next Week's NEIU Music and Dance EventsWoodwind Studios Showcase | Monday, November 15 | 7:30pmRuth Page Dance: Behind the Curtain | Tuesday, November 16 | 3:05pm12/11/23, 3:05 PM November 2021 Department Newsletter, Volume Xhttps://myemail.constantcontact.com/November-2021-Department-Newsletter--Volume-X.html?soid=1107378337982&aid=87Pprmrwuc4 4/5Student Recital Hour | Tuesday, November 16 | 3:05pmFaculty Recital: Brian Torosian | Wednesday, November 17 | 7:30pmNEIU Jazz Combo | Thursday, November 18 | 3:05pmNEIU Orchestra | Thursday, November 18 | 7:30pmKeep up to date with Music and Dance events on the NEIU's University EventCalendar or follow us on Facebook where there is an event for every concert.Catch anything you might have missed on the department's YouTube page.Videos are typically posted within 1-2 weeks of the live performance.NEXT IN THE JEWEL BOX SERIES: DON STIERNBERG QUARTETFriday, Nov. 19, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Recital Hallwww.neiu.edu/ticketsChicagoan Don Stiernberg is a leading exponent ofjazz mandolin style. Having learned from 20th centurymaster Jethro Burns, Don is now working on 50 yearsof experience as a professional musician, with 10recordings of his own available and countlessappearances on other artists' projects. The latest ofthese is "Straight Ahead" by the Don StiernbergQuartet, released in June of 2020 and chosen shortlythereafter by Chicago Tribune jazz critic HowardReich as one of the Best Jazz Recordings of 2020 SoFar.The quartet on the recording and performing for theJewel Box series on Nov. 19th has been Don's workinggroup for several years, recordings, and tour dates. Onguitar is renowned jazz guitar master Andy Brown,who can be found all over YouTube or performing liveat jazz clubs in Chicago (often with his wife, vocalist Petra Van Nuis) and festivals coast tocoast and abroad. Rhythm section is legendary! Chicago jazz stalwarts Phil Gratteau ondrums and Jim Cox on acoustic upright string bass. Their credits and achievements are toomany to mention, but most likely you may have heard them backing the greatpianist/singer Judy Roberts.For their program on Nov. 19 the quartet will feature selections from the Straight Aheadrecording, which combines swinging standards from Great American Songbook writers(Gershwin, Kern, Ellington, et al) with Brazilian jazz selections from the mando-centricsubgenre known as "choro". Stiernberg may also warble a blues or bluegrass or folk orsoul tune if the mood strikes or the request comes in. All in all it will be an evening ofaccessible listenable melodies and a swinging good time.12/11/23, 3:05 PM November 2021 Department Newsletter, Volume Xhttps://myemail.constantcontact.com/November-2021-Department-Newsletter--Volume-X.html?soid=1107378337982&aid=87Pprmrwuc4 5/5

Newsletter- November 2021

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Newsletter- November 2021

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