Classes, Concert, Ballpark Performance a Show of Student Talent

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More than 120 high-school students will attend the 19th annual Mary Jo Leahey Symphonic Band Camp at UMass Lowell this summer.

07/13/2015

Contact: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

* M E D I A A D V I S O R Y *

Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 17

WHAT: More than 120 high-school students from across the Northeast will participate in the Mary Jo Leahey Symphonic Band Camp at UMass Lowell, immersing themselves in honors classes and ensembles that will put them on the path to becoming accomplished musicians.

Students attending the 19th annual band program are from 57 communities across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Participants will live in a UMass Lowell residence hall during their stay, getting an early taste of campus life. Students don’t need to audition to attend the program but must demonstrate a passion for pursuing musical virtuosity.

The students will perform a free public concert on Friday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Durgin Concert Hall at 35 Wilder St. on UMass Lowell’s South Campus. The program will feature the New England premiere of “From Gold,” an original work by composer and guest conductor Samuel Hazo. Free parking is available across the street from the venue.

Baseball fans will hear the students perform “The Star Spangled Banner” on Wednesday, July, 15 at 7 p.m. before the Lowell Spinners game against the Connecticut Tigers at LeLacheur Park, 450 Aiken St., Lowell. The Spinners are a farm team of the Boston Red Sox.

Music sessions from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. each day will provide instruction in symphonic instruments, electric bass and guitar, music theory, composition, conducting and sound recording technology – a signature program in UMass Lowell’s Music Department.

Performance workshops at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. daily will be held for ensembles including concert and jazz bands and brass, wind and percussion groups.

The program is led by Debra-Nicole Huber, UMass Lowell’s director of instrumental music outreach and associate director of university bands. Huber, who earned her music degree at UMass Lowell, is one of a handful of women serving as concert band conductors in the U.S. The summer camp was established by Mary Jo Leahey ’37, a UMass Lowell graduate who was a beloved music teacher and philanthropist.

The first public institution in the U.S. to offer a music education degree, UMass Lowell prepares students for careers as musicians, music teachers, music business professionals and sound recording engineers. Programs for young people include the nationally acclaimed New England Youth and Junior Youth wind ensembles and the UMass Lowell String Project.

WHERE: Durgin Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell. For directions and parking information, contact UMass Lowell media relations.