University of Dubuque Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and Bluegrass Band
Nov 19, 2008 | University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Members of the University of Dubuque's Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and Bluegrass Band will perform concerts in Bellevue, West Union, Charles City, and Cedar Falls in Eastern Iowa on Monday, November 24; and Platteville, Mr. Horeb, Clinton, and Waukesha in Southern Wisconsin on Tuesday, November 25 on a two-day fall tour.
On Monday, November 24, performances will be held at 8:20 a.m. at Bellevue High School (1601 State Street, Bellevue, IA), 12:15 p.m. at North Fayette High School (600 N. Pine Street, West Union, IA), 2:30 p.m. at Charles City Middle School (500 N. Grand, Charles City, IA), and 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (902 Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA). The evening performance in First Presbyterian Church is free and open to the public.
On Tuesday, November 25, performances will be held at 8:00 a.m. at Platteville High School (710 E. Madison Street, Platteville, WI), 10:15 a.m. at Mt. Horeb High School (305 S. 8th Street, Mt. Horeb, WI), 1:30 p.m. at Clinton High School (112 Milwaukee Road, Clinton, WI), and 7:00 p.m. at Carroll University's Shattuck Auditorium (100 N. East Avenue, Waukesha, WI). The evening performance at Carroll University is free and open to the public.
The choir, under the direction of Dr. Charles Barland, will perform a variety of works including Psalm settings, Spirituals, and Folk Songs. "Performances like this are very important to the artistic progress of the choir and for the friendships made or renewed along the way," said Barland. "Each new city we visit, each school and church we sing in, every person we meet holds a special place in the hearts of our students. We look forward to sharing our music and the University with the people of Iowa and Wisconsin." The University's jazz ensemble, and bluegrass band is under the direction of Dr. James Sherry.
The history of music at the University of Dubuque goes back to the early part of the twentieth century. As early as 1918, there was a co-ed choral music ensemble, a men's glee club, a band, and an orchestra. Beginning in the 1920s, the concert choir toured regularly. Concerts were performed in churches and schools throughout the Midwest.
Today the University of Dubuque Choir and Band is returning to its heritage - growing in numbers and expanding its performance schedule. This year, choir events include a joint performance with the University of Dubuque Seminary Choir at the annual Fall Convocation, Homecoming Weekend performances, a fundraiser/dinner concert, UD's annual Christmas on the Quad, leading a Hymn Festival, and performing two spring concerts during the University's 2009 Arts Celebration. The University's band program includes a number of specialty groups, and performs at numerous campus functions, as well as at local area coffee houses.
Charles Barland was appointed director of the University of Dubuque Choir in August 2002 and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Dubuque in February 2003. His duties include serving as department chair, conducting the Concert Choir; teaching courses in general music studies; serving as organist for college events and seminary worship services; and teaching applied lessons. Prior to assuming this position, Dr. Barland was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Dubuque and Loras College and was minister of music at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Dubuque.
A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Charles Barland earned the Bachelor of Arts degree at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin, the Master of Arts degree at the University of Iowa, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Kansas. He has studied organ with Phyllis Stringham, Delbert Disselhorst, James Higdon, Delores Bruch, and Michael Bauer. His choral mentors include Mark Aamot, William Hatcher, Richard Bloesch, and Simon Carrington.
James Sherry, assistant professor of fine and performing arts at the University of Dubuque, is director of the jazz and instrumental ensembles, and teaches jazz history, music appreciation, and world view seminar. In addition Dr. Sherry is the music director at Grandview United Methodist Church in Dubuque.
A native of Eureka, Illinois, James Sherry earned the Bachelor of Science degree at Illinois State University, the Master of Arts degree from Yale University School of Music, and the Doctor of
Music appreciation at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. He has conducted Chicago's All-City Meritfest Band in Symphony Hall, the Bangkok Opera, Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and the Baltimore School for the Arts Jazz Ensemble, as well as numerous public school music programs in Baltimore, Dubuque, and Chicago. At Johns Hopkins University he conducted the JHU Choral Society and served as director of bands for seven years. As a trumpet soloist he has performed in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, DC, Chicago, Detroit, Denver and Los Angeles as well as on tours across the United States, Germany and Southeast Asia.
