Dana School of Music Announces New Ensemble

Phyllis M. Paul, Dean of the Cliffe College of Creative Arts, and Dr. Randall Goldberg, Director of the Dana School of Music, announce the formation of a new professional ensemble within the Dana School of Music.

The Dana Ensemble is comprised of a flexible, modular roster of Dana School of Music faculty, which will often be joined by regional guest artists, coming together multiple times each semester for live performances in the area’s iconic performance spaces.

“One of the only positive things that might be said about the surreal reality in which we have existed over the past year is that we in the arts in higher education have been forced to think in different ways and look at our realities through various lenses'" said Paul. "In the Cliffe College, our faculty have utilized this time of collective crisis to lead with innovation and the development of several new collaborations that add tremendous value and expanded dimensions to YSU and our community. The Dana Ensemble is one of the most important of these new endeavors and is an historic facet that furthers the proud legacy of the Dana School of Music.”

She mentioned that although the renowned Dana faculty have played with many regional ensembles over the years, this marks the first time they have formed a collective group of professional musicians from all studio areas in the School to perform together on a regular basis. Their diverse talents and artistry will be showcased in concerts featuring multiple musical genres that will engage audience members of all ages.

Two in-person concerts are scheduled for Spring semester.

The debut concert, “Sounds of Spring”, will occur on Sunday, March 28 at 3:00 p.m. at Powers Auditorium, DeYor Performing Arts Center, 260 W. Federal St, Youngstown, OH 44503.

It will feature Dana School of Music faculty and guest artists Helen Welch, internationally acclaimed vocalist, entertainer, producer and band-leader, and saxophonist Dave Kana, in pop, folk, blues and jazz songs arranged for chamber ensemble by Dana professor Dave Morgan.

“Many in the community have seen these performers as soloists or mixed into a large orchestra, but these concerts will feature the amazing Dana faculty, and a few special guests, as a single ensemble. We are so glad to present world-class music to the Valley through these two events,” said Goldberg.

The program will include songs by Michel Legrand, Jimmy Webb, Paul McCartney, Ariel Ramirez, Billy Strayhorn, Wayne Shorter and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

The Dana Ensemble for this concert includes Alice Wang, clarinet; Andrew Mitchell, trombone; Sean Yancer, French Horn; Wendy Case, violin; Sara Schaft, violin; Caitlin Hedge, viola; Kivie Cahn-Lipman, cello; Dave Morgan, bass; Francois Fowler, guitar; Cicilia Yudha, piano; and Glenn Schaft, drums and percussion.

The concert will last approximately 80 minutes, with no intermission.

The second concert, “The Society for Public Musical Performance,” will occur on Sunday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m. at Powers Auditorium, DeYor Performing Arts Center. The Dana Ensemble here resurrects this tradition with three orchestral pieces arranged by Schoenberg, and a world premiere composed by University of Akron faculty member Jamie Wilding commissioned by the Cliffe College of Creative Arts for the new Ensemble.

In addition to Wilding’s new composition, music by Claude Debussy, Johann Strauss, Jr. and Gustav Mahler, arranged by Schoenberg, will be performed.

The capacity in Powers Auditorium is restricted to 300 patrons. Tickets for both concerts are all reserved seating on the main floor of the concert hall. Patrons are advised to secure tickets in advance at www.deyorpac.org or by calling the DeYor Box Office at 330-259-9651. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Reserved tickets are $10.00; senior citizen tickets are $9.00 and free for anyone with a valid YSU ID. Ticket prices are inclusive of the DeYor convenience fee.

All social distancing practices will be enforced. Guests will be required to wear masks and remain in their ticketed seat for the duration of the concerts.

After the live events, both concerts will be available on the Cliffe College YouTube channel. More information is available at 330-727-7514.