Cal Poly Humboldt Hosts Dynamic Welcome Concert Featuring Diverse Talent

Cal Poly Humboldt is set to showcase a vibrant mix of musical styles and performances at the upcoming Welcome Concert on March 16, 2024. The event is part of the Cal Poly Humboldt Recital Series and will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall, located in Arcata, California. This concert will feature the talents of the Music Department faculty, offering a rich tapestry of sound that aims to captivate audiences with its dramatic contrasts.

The program will kick off with the haunting composition “Sakura” by Sir Karl Jenkins. This piece, featured on the album “One World,” embodies a vision of peace and unity, emphasizing environmental respect and universal human rights. The performance will feature soprano Elisabeth Harrington, the choir A Company of Voices under the direction of Stacy Young, pianist Simon Oh, and percussionist Michael Fabian.

Another highlight of the concert is “Suite” by Darius Milhaud, composed in 1936 for the play “Traveler without Baggage.” This jazz-influenced work concludes with the poignant sounds of violin and clarinet, featuring Cindy Moyer on violin, Virginia Ryder on clarinet, and pianist Simon Oh.

The concert also includes two innovative videoscapes by faculty member Brian Post. His work, “‘When ‘The Past Is Present And The Present Has Past,’” offers a meditative reflection on the concept of time, while “Spirit Guide” captures the essence of an exotic woman through music and visuals, created using advanced design applications.

Following these performances, the audience will enjoy a classic with the 4th movement of Beethoven’s Sonata in F Major, Op. 42, known as “Spring.” This lively piece features a cheerful Rondo and highlights the equal partnership between the violin and piano, with Cindy Moyer and Simon Oh leading the performance.

The concert will continue with “Das Schloss am Meere, TrV191 (The Castle by the Sea)” by Richard Strauss, performed by Daniela Mineva, professor of music and director of keyboard studies at Cal Poly Humboldt. She will be accompanied by her sister Nona Mineva as narrator. Strauss’ work is based on a poem by Ludwig Uhland, exploring the mysterious allure of a medieval fortress, while movements from Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” will also be performed.

After a brief intermission, the program will resume with John Cage’s “In A Landscape,” arranged by Brian Post. This composition aims to quiet the mind, allowing space for divine influences.

The evening will feature an improvisational segment by the ensemble SoniX, presenting “Urban Ambience,” a piece that encapsulates the constant motion of city life. This unique performance will include musicians Garrick Woods, Colby Beers, Saul Stewart, Ginny Ryder, Michael Fabian, and Brian Post.

The concert will conclude with “Quintet” by Sofia Gubaidalina, performed by Cindy Moyer, Karen Davy, Sherry Hanson, Garrick Woods, and Daniela Mineva. Gubaidalina is known as one of the most significant Russian composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, with her works often reflecting profound spiritual themes.

Tickets for the Welcome Concert are priced at $20 for general admission and $5 for children and Cal Poly Humboldt students with ID. They can be purchased at the door or online at tickets.humboldt.edu/dance-music-and-theatre. This concert promises to be a memorable evening filled with diverse musical experiences that celebrate the talent of Cal Poly Humboldt’s faculty.