York University Music Professor Michael Coghlan, who is a celebrated composer and performer, will take centre stage March 10 in a showcase concert that features a selection of his original compositions.
The performance takes place from 7:30 to 9:30pm at the Tribute Communities Recital Hall in the Accolade East Building. It is the final concert in the 2015-16 Faculty Concert Series hosted by the Department of Music.
The concert will feature Coghlan on keyboard as well as guest artists soprano Leslie Fagan with pianist Lorin Shalanko, the Elgin String Quartet, the percussion ensemble Red Zone Percolators and dancer Danielle Wake.
All the music to be performed this evening was composed within the last five years by Coghlan, who has extensive professional credits as a composer, performer, conductor, record producer and music director. He has worked in a wide range of musical genres and techniques, from medieval and classical to jazz, popular and world music, and computer-based music. A specialist in digital music production, he is known nationally for his work in the development and use of contemporary music technologies in artistic and pedagogical practices.
For her part, Fagan ended 2015 with a return to Carnegie Hall for Handel’s Messiah with the Oratorio Society of New York under the direction of Maestro Kent Tritle. The journey to Carnegie Hall was paved with Messiah performances in Rochester (Maestro David Fetler), Burlington, and Hamilton (Maestro Boris Brott). Other highlights of 2015 included Fagan’s performance in Mendelsohn’s Elijah with the Grand Philharmonic Choir of Waterloo (Maestro Mark Vuorinen). Upcoming in the recording studio, Fagan’s project of promoting Canadian Art Song will be launched in early 2016.
A well-known pianist, Shalanko regularly collaborates with Fagan and others. Internationally, Shalanko’s career has taken him to France, where he lived and worked for several years. While overseas, he taught privately and accompanied for various soloists and choirs. He was invited to perform as a solo artist in the countries France, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Translating Coghlan’s works into dance, Wake has diplomas in Performing Arts, Teaching Theatre Arts and Dance. She is currently studying for her dance degree at Chichester University, England, but is on exchange here at York University. Her professional credits include Harry Potter, Midsomer Murders and TV shows for the Discovery Channel. She toured High School Musical across England and has performed in multiple professional pantomimes.
The Elgin String Quartet features the talents of Cory Gemmell and Norman Hathaway on violin; Jonathan Craig on viola; and Tom Mueller on the cello. The Elgin String Quartet is one of Canada’s finest peripatetic string ensembles. Known for its crisp performance style the members of the quartet are also solo virtuoso performers and have extensive international credits in a variety of musical ensembles and venues.
The members of the Red Zone Percolators are among the finest percussionists in the world. Each has professional performing and touring credits that are second to none. Richard Moore, an acknowledged expert on instruments in the “hammered” tradition, has recently appeared with symphony orchestras and ensembles in Montreal, Toronto, and Washington. Paul Ormandy is an established mallet and tympani virtuoso who is also expert in numerous world drumming traditions. Rick Lazar is the prime mover behind the Brazilian samba craze across Canada and has international touring credits with established popular artists such as Loreena McKennitt. Anthony Michelli has established himself as one of the world’s finest set players in the jazz tradition. He has recorded and toured widely in Europe and North America.
Admission is $15 or $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available online or by phone at 416-736-5888.