Three of the UO’s premier large musical ensembles are featured in the May 19 annual spring concert: the University Symphony, University Singers, and Oregon Wind Ensemble.

University Singers, under the direction of Sharon Paul, will sing a set entitled, "Songs Sung Skyward," which will feature three composers' musical considerations of the heavens: Johannes Brahms' "Warum," Josephine Poelinitz' setting of the gospel song, "City Called Heaven," and Eric Whitacre's "Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine."

The Oregon Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Timothy Paul, will perform "From a Dark Millennium" by Joseph Schwantner, and will collaborate with University Singers in performing Copland's "The Promise of Living" from "The Tender Land."

Contributions from the University Symphony under the direction of David Jacobs will include Liszt's Piano Concerto #1 featuring UO Concerto Competition winner Nattapol Tantikarn, as well as Ravel's stirring orchestration of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition."

For Tantikarn, a graduate student who was selected as one of the winners of a January 2013 competition designed to find “unsung virtuosos” among the UO’s music students, performing with the University Symphony is a true honor, and highlights the collaborative atmosphere of the UO School of Music and Dance.

“To be able to perform the Liszt concerto with an actual orchestra is a very exciting experience and a great opportunity that does not come along too often,” Tantikarn said. “I am really looking forward to performing and making music with my wonderful colleagues."

The concert starts at 3 p.m. in the Silva concert hall of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene. Tickets are $10 general, $7 for seniors, and $5 for student/youth, available at the door or in advance from the Hult Center, 541-682-5000.

- by UO School of Music and Dance