The sixth annual Soirée Musicale will take center stage on Friday, April 23, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-SP) to raise funds for scholarships in the department of music. A champagne reception begins at 5:45 p.m. and the concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Michelsen Hall of the Fine Arts Center. Advance tickets are available at the UW-SP Box Office in Room 103A of the University Center or by telephone at 346-4100 or (800) 838-3378.
The ticket price of $60 includes the champagne before the show and complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres during intermission. A reception at the Stevens Point Country Club featuring the UW-SP Jazz Combo will follow the concert. Those wishing to attend the reception are asked to contact the Country Club individually.
The stars of the evening are the faculty members from the department of music. The first half of the concert will feature a variety of solo and small ensemble selections from Verdi and Vivaldi to Gershwin and Bernstein. Performers include Michael Keller, Mathew Buchman and Molly Roseman, piano; Jessica Siena, soprano; Daniel Ebbers, tenor; Steven Bjella, violin; Patrick Miles, horn; Paul Doebler, flute; Robert Kase, flugelhorn; David Hastings, saxophone; Catalin Rotaru, bass; and the UW-SP Chamber Orchestra. After an intermission of wine and hors d'oeurves, the second half of the evening's music will feature the UW-SP Jazz Ensemble.
The event is annually coordinated by a volunteer committee of community leaders and has been a great success since its inception in 1999, said Mike Fahey, development coordinator for the College of Fine Arts and Communication. In its five-year history, the Soirée has raised almost $100,000 for music scholarships.
"Thanks to the scholarship dollars raised by this event, we have enhanced the quality of our performing ensembles and teaching studios," said professor Bob Kase, chair of the department. "The number of excellent musicians in our department is continually increasing. These talented students will go on to become successful musicians, teachers, composers and bring even more renown to Stevens Point."
Music scholarship winners will take part in the event by mingling with the crowd as they serve champagne and hors d'oeurves. One of those scholarship winners is freshman Stephen Ferguson of Green Bay, a French horn performance major, who received a Dorothy Vetter music scholarship as an incoming freshman.
"It means a lot to me, because I get to meet the people who donated the money for my scholarship," Ferguson said.
Because of the scholarship, Ferguson hasn't had to get a part-time job and can, instead, focus on his studies and French horn playing.
"I usually try to devote three to four hours a day in the practice room alone," Ferguson said.
In addition to solo practices, Ferguson takes part in rehearsals with the groups for which he plays. Last semester, he was involved with a French horn quartet. This year, he performs with the concert band.
"The music department here is great," Ferguson said.
Ferguson had considered going to other conservatories at other colleges.
"I came to Stevens Point because of the very nice faculty and extremely nice people are here," Ferguson said. "I looked at the faculty and the quality of them. They're all very involved, and they have that attitude of just wanting to help you learn, which is not always found at other universities."
Ferguson would like to continue with his music career.
"After UW-SP, I'd like to go to a graduate school in Europe, maybe, and if I can, I'd like to get a performing job with a professional orchestra."