|
Jazz, Indonesian bamboo gamelan music highlighted in free benefit concert for tsunami victims
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The University of North Texas College of Music will present a free, benefit concert to raise funds for victims of the recent tsunami in Asia. The event is set Jan. 23 (Sunday), at 8 p.m. in Winspear Hall of the Murchison Performing Arts Center, located on I-35 East at North Texas Boulevard, Featured musicians will include UNT's celebrated One O'Clock Lab Band and A Cappella Choir, as well as performers from the College of Music jazz and brass faculty. Doctoral student I-Jen Fang and adjunct faculty member Ed Smith will also perform a special piece written by Smith for Indonesian bamboo gamelan (Indonesian music involving percussion instruments made of bamboo, bronze or iron). "Because of the special relationship between the UNT College of Music and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, we will donate the contributions and concert proceeds to the American Red Cross in memory of the His Majesty's grandson Poomi Jensen, who died in the tsunami disaster," said Dr. James C. Scott, dean of the College of Music. Scott, along with other representatives of the College of Music and the One O'Clock Lab Band, traveled to Thailand with several UNT officials in March of 2004 to present the King with an honorary doctorate, given in recognition of the King's skill in composition and performance in all genres of music, but particularly jazz and blues. An accomplished player of saxophone, piano, clarinet and trumpet, he has performed with such legendary musicians as Jack Teagarden, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, and Stan Getz. During the Thailand visit, the One O'Clock Lab Band performed for the King and then the King sat in with the band. Another part of the College's history of special connections with Thailand dates back to the enormously beneficial gift of $1,000,000 received from Thai businessman Charn Uswachoke in 1995. Uswachoke, along with other UNT alumni from Thailand, was instrumental in providing for the 2004 trip. According to Scott, those wishing to make donations in advance can send checks -- made out to the "The American Red Cross," with "UNT College of Music Tsunami Benefit Concert" indicated on the memo line, to: College of Music Tsunami Benefit Concert, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 311367, Denton, TX 76203-1367. "Those making donations at the door may use cash, check or credit card. Gift acknowledgements for tax purposes will be provided for all donations except cash gifts, in accordance with American Red Cross policy," he said. Funds raised will support the American Red Cross in its two-phased assistance plan, which includes specialized relief immediately and over the long term in these five areas: food and safe water; healthcare and disease prevention; immediate family supplies; mental health counseling; and disaster preparedness and prevention measures. Donations allow the Red Cross to purchase relief items in the region, eliminating the added costs of shipping and transport from the United States. In addition, the money allows the purchase of culturally appropriate items and helps to stimulate local economies. The approximate costs of items needed in the tsunamis relief and recovery operation is: - $2 – for a sleeping mat
- $5 – for a mosquito net (essential in areas where malaria is a common disease)
- $15 – for a kitchen set for a family of five
- $175 – for a waterproof tent for a family of five
Note: For more information about the tsunami benefit concert, or donating, or for directions to the Murchison, call the UNT College of Music at 940-565-2791. Directions to the Murchison are also available at www.unt.edu/pais/map/custommap.htm?bd=63.
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Roddy Wolper (940) 565-2943
Email: rwolper@unt.edu
Latest News
Frolic through UNT’s children’s fashion exhibition
Child's Play: A Children's Fashion Story, an exhibition presented by the Texas Fashion Collection, explores the change in children's fashions from 1870 to 1950.
UNT welcomes first Terry Scholar, Krystal Castañeda
Krystal Castañeda, a first-generation college student from Cedar Hill, became the first Terry Scholar at UNT when she started graduate work last month.
UNT grant to help ensure transfer student academic success
UNT received a $270,000 grant to help community college students develop academic plans that transfer to UNT degree plans and improve transfer success rates.
UNT scientists find 'green' way to store carbon dioxide
The team determined that using proteins could lead the way to the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly carbon capture technology.
UNT named Tree Campus USA University for second straight year
Tree Campus USA honors colleges, universities and surrounding communities for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship.
UNT professor works to improve colon cancer screening
Jung Hwan Oh is developing software to improve colonoscopies and create important quality controls for the procedure.
| 
