MASTERCLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Trombone Masterclass with Kenneth Thompkins, Associate Professor of Trombone, Michigan State University

Saturday, November 16, 2024 10am-12pm
Weatherwax Hall
This Masterclass is free and open to the public.

Kenneth Thompkins was appointed Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra by Neeme Jarvi. Prior to this appointment he held positions in the Buffalo Philharmonic and The Florida Orchestra and New World Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Thompkins enjoys working with young musicians and has performed masterclasses and recitals at many universities including the Curtis Institute of Music, University of Michigan, and the Eastman School of Music. In 2017 Thompkins recorded Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals featuring the music of Alec Wilder, William Grant Still and Philip Wharton. Sonatas, Songs and Spirituals was the winner of The American Prize in Instrumental Performance for 2018-2019. He has performed as a soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra and New World Symphony. He also premiered “Troubled Water” trombone concerto by Carlos Simon with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2023.

Guitar Workshop with Djangophonique Swingin’ with Django: A Journey into Gypsy Jazz

November 23rd at 1pm
Weatherwax Hall
Free but reservation is required. Click the button below to register.

Dive into the world of Gypsy Jazz (Jazz Manouche) with our immersive workshop dedicated to the legendary style of Django Reinhardt. This session is designed for musicians and enthusiasts eager to explore this unique genre. Participants will learn the foundational elements of Django’s style, and experience demonstrations from the award-winning band Djangophonique.

While Jazz Manouche is a guitar-driven style, all instruments and listeners are welcome. In addition to two guitarists, Djangophonique’s lineup also includes an upright bass, a clarinet, and a vocalist, and pending participant interest, we may separate into breakout groups for a deeper focus.

Join us to enhance your playing, expand your musical vocabulary, have a great time and connect with fellow music lovers in an inspiring and supportive environment.

Click here to save your seat for Djangophonique’s performance at 8pm.

Flute Masterclass with Martha Councell-Vargas, Professor of Flute, Western Michigan University

Saturday, December 7, 2024 10am
Weatherwax Hall
This Masterclass is free and open to the public

Martha Councell-Vargas is professor of flute at Western Michigan University.
Martha Councell-Vargas enjoys an exhilarating career as a solo and chamber flutist, teaching artist, and scholar. She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Central and South America, Europe, China, and across the United States.

Councell-Vargas is a top prizewinner in several national competitions, including the National Flute Association’s Young Artist Competition, Frank Bowen Flute Competition in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Flute Talk Competition in Chicago. International appearances include Paris, France, where she was invited to perform at the Jean Pierre Rampal International Concours de Flûte in 2005, and Uelzen, Germany, where she was the only North American to participate in the International Friedrich Kuhlau flute competition (2007) and was honored as a semi-finalist.

Councell-Vargas holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory, Rice University Shepherd School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa.