The music department is ready to present at OMEA and represent the University of Toledo to their full ability!

Dr. Michael Boyd, a University of Toledo professor, and violinist Merwin Siu of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, will perform a program of Stravinsky’s works for violin and piano, recreating a concert Stravinsky himself performed on the same stage 81 years ago with violinist Samuel Dushkin. The event is set to take place Saturday, January 23 at 2 p.m. in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle. Admission is free.

The University of Toledo Department of Music has long collaborated with the Toledo Museum of Art, providing many performers for the TMA’s Great performances in the Great Gallery series. “I give a lot of credit to Scott Boberg [TMA Manager of Programs and Audience Engagement], says Dr. Boyd. “The concert was his brainchild, to recreate Stravinsky’s Peristyle concert. It was a great honor to be asked to play the Peristyle and I always enjoy the opportunity to perform with such a wonderful violinist as Merwin Siu”.

Dr. Boyd, a Steinway artist and renowned pianist, is a professor of piano at The University of Toledo. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Eastman School of Music. Dr. Boyd has played many solo recitals throughout the years. He has also had the honor of performing across the country and internationally as well, and has presented two music lectures in Spain.

Merwin Siu and Dr. Boyd perform regularly with cellist, Damon Coleman of the Toledo Symphony. The three comprise the Bezonian Trio, a chamber ensemble.

Source: Michael Boyd

Students will unleash their own brand of creativity when The University of Toledo Department of Theatre & Film hosts the annual 24 Hour Plays, to be presented Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the UT Center for Performing Arts Center Theatre. The event is being coordinated by the UT chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre fraternity.

For the performers, the mayhem begins the night before on Friday when students are divided into teams whose members collaborate to write, produce and rehearse the play. They have until just before show time on Saturday to pull it together for performance.

“It’s always amazing to me how the deadline crunch squeezes out some of the most creative juice from our students. They always have a blast doing it and audiences always enjoy it too,” says Dr. Edmund Lingan, Chair of the UT Department of Theatre & Film. “Most of the plays end up being short comedies, but not always. You just never know exactly what they’re going to come up with, but it’s always a fun time.”

For those wishing to participate in the 24 Hour Plays, sign up sheets are available on the Alpha Psi Omega bulletin board in the UT Center for Performing Arts (near the vending machines).

Tickets to the 24 Hour Plays are sold in advance or at the door for $10 general admission, and just $5 for students, children, seniors, members of the military and all UT faculty and staff. Advance tickets are available through the Center for Performing Arts Box Office by calling 419.530.ARTS (2787) or online at www.utoledo.Tix.com.

Eric Thayer, who graduated from The University of Toledo in 2008 (Art History & BFA), has been selected to show in ImageOHIO 2016, an exhibition featuring photography, video, and digital media from artists living in or with roots in Ohio. Click the link to visit the show’s web site http://www.roygbivgallery.com/exhibitions/imageohio-16/

Eric Thayer’s blog www.thegreatchainsawjugglingact.blogspot.com

Eric Thayer is on Vimeo!