Kulas Concert Series presenting Grammy-winner Bobby McFerrin and more

Ten-time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin, an exhilarating Collage performance by rapidly appearing and disappearing musicians, and a romantic afternoon with jazz pianist Joe Augustine are among the eight concerts in the 2012-13 season of the Kulas Concert Series at The University of Akron.

Supported by the Cleveland-based Kulas Foundation, the Kulas Concert Series is the UA School of Music's foremost series and features outstanding guest artists, faculty and students.

The 2012-13 season of the UA Kulas Concert Series opens Friday, Oct. 12, with an 8 p.m concert by percussionist Tommy Igoe and the Birdland Big Band at the intimate Stage Door venue of E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, 198 Hill St., on the UA campus.

Leader and percussionist, Igoe toured with the Glenn Miller Band at age 18, and gained a national reputation as the touring drummer for Blood, Sweat and Tears. Since then he has shared the stage with Dave Grusin, New York Voices and Art Garfunkel. Tickets are $22 general admission and $11 for UA students.

Next up is "From There to Here" featuring music, costumes and dance of the Balkan region on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Guzzetta Recital Hall, 157 University Ave. The program will feature Solaris, UA’s faculty woodwind quintet, with music by Nikola Resanovic, costume designs by Pamela Crevcoure and Irene Mack-Shafer, choreography by Kelli Sanford and Michael Vamos, and videography by Dale Dong. This special event previews a similar presentation in December at Retzhof Castle in Austria.

A highlight of the Kulas season is Collage 2012 on Thursday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Thomas Hall. A musical thrill ride showcasing students and faculty from the UA School of Music, the nonstop concert will keep audience members on the edge of their seats as performers appear and disappear throughout the concert hall.  

Also during the Kulas Concert Series for 2012-13: "Jingle Jazz" on Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. at Thomas Hall; jazz pianist Joe Augustine’s "Love is in the Air — A Piano Valentine" on Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Stage Door of Thomas Hall; the UA School of Music's spring opera on April 11–13 at Guzzetta Recital Hall; Bobby McFerrin's "Spirit You All" on April 23 at Thomas Hall; and pianist Michael Chertok and the UA Symphony Orchestra performing movie music in "Night at the Movies" on May 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Thomas Hall.

Tickets are available in advance and at the door if seats are still available. Tickets for the concerts at Thomas Hall are available from the Thomas Hall Ticket Office, beginning Sept. 7. Tickets for concerts at Guzzetta Recital Hall are available at the UA School of Music.

Most of the Kulas concerts are $12 for general admission, $6 for non-UA students, and free for UA students with Zip Cards. Tickets for Tommy Igoe and the Birdland Big Band are $22 for general admission and $11 for UA students. Tickets for Bobby McFerrin are $45 and $35.

For more information, contact 330-972-8301, concerts@uakron.edu, or uaevents.com.

Here's the schedule for The University of Akron School of Music's 2012-13 Kulas Concert Series:

Friday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m.
Percussionist Tommy Igoe and the Birdland Big Band
Stage Door at Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, on the UA campus

The Birdland Big Band doesn't just want to be good, it wants to be "the greatest musical experience you've ever had." The Birdland Big Band pushes its acoustic talents to the edge with a high "wow" factor. Leader and percussionist Tommy Igoe toured with the Glenn Miller Band at age 18, gaining a national reputation as the touring drummer for Blood, Sweat and Tears. Since then he has shared the stage with Dave Grusin, New York Voices and Art Garfunkel. Open seating. $22 general, $11 UA students. Thomas Hall Ticket Office: 330-972-7570 or uaevents.com.

Sunday, Oct 21, 7:30 p.m.
"From There to Here"
Guzzetta Recital Hall, 157 University Ave., Akron, on the UA campus

Music, costumes and dance of the Balkan region. Featuring Solaris, UA's faculty woodwind quintet, with music by Nikola Resanovic, costume designs by Pamela Crevcoure and Irene Mack-Shafer, choreography by Kelli Sanford and Michael Vamos, and videography by Dale Dong. This special event previews a similar presentation in December at Retzhof Castle in Austria. Open seating. $12 general admission, $6 non-UA students. UA students admitted free with Zip Card. UA School of Music: 330-972-8301, concerts@uakron.edu, School of Music.

Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.
"Collage 2012"
Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, on the UA campus

Collage showcases the best of the UA School of Music in a single, breathtaking event. This exhilarating musical thrill ride returns for its third and all-new spectacular year. Collage will keep audience members on the edges of their seats as performers appear and disappear throughout the concert hall. Open seating. $12 general admission, $6 non-UA students. UA students admitted free with Zip Card. Thomas Hall Ticket Office: 330-972-7570 or uaevents.com.

Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m.
"Jingle Jazz"
Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, on the UA campus

Santa only has elves. This concert has Jack "Frost" Schantz, "Jingle" Joe Augustine, "Peppermint" Patty LaNasa, and more music merry-makers in a jazzy start to the holidays. Open seating. $12 general admission, $6 non-UA students. UA students admitted free with Zip Card. Thomas Hall Ticket Office: 330-972-7570 or uaevents.com.

Sunday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m.
Joe Augustine's "Love is in the Air — A Piano Valentine"
Stage Door at Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, on the UA campus

Join Steinway Artist Joe Augustine and friends for an afternoon of romantic piano favorites. Open seating. $12 general admission, $6 non-UA students. UA students admitted free with Zip Card. Thomas Hall Ticket Office: 330-972-7570 or uaevents.com.

April 11 and 12, 8 p.m.
April 13, 3 p.m.
Spring Opera
Guzzetta Recital Hall, 157 University Ave., Akron, on the UA campus

Frank Ward directs up-and-coming opera stars in a fully staged production. Open seating. $12 general admission, $6 non-UA students. UA students admitted free with Zip Card.

Tuesday, April 23, 8 p.m.
Bobby McFerrin's "Spirit You All"
Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, on the UA campus

Celebrate the transcendence of the American spirit with joyful new takes on the Spirituals. Ten-time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin will always be the guy who sang "Don’t Worry, Be Happy," but his "greatest gift to audiences may be transforming the concert hall into a playground, a village center, a joyous space" (The LA Times). Reserved seating. $45, $35. Thomas Hall Ticket Office: 330-972-7570 or uaevents.com.

Thursday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
Pianist Michael Chertok and The University of Akron Symphony Orchestra
"Night at the Movies"
Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, on the UA campus

Movie music favorites and other classics with Michael Chertock and the UA Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Guy Victor Bordo. Open seating. $12 general admission, $6 non-UA students. UA students admitted free with Zip Card. Thomas Hall Ticket Office: 330-972-7570 or uaevents.com.

Media contact: Cyndee Snider, 330-972-5196 or cyndee@uakron.edu.