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September 28, 2007

President’s Gala to bring “Broadway and Beyond” Oct. 9

The 2007 President's Gala, "Broadway and Beyond, A Celebration," will continue as one of the area’s premier arts events Tuesday, Oct. 9 in the Biedenharn Recital Hall, located on University Ave. The social hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the event will close with an artist’s reception.

The Gala is a fundraiser that benefits the School of Visual and Performing Arts, involving three stages of ULM culture—alumni, faculty/staff, and students—in a performance partnership.

This year’s event will open with “French Horn Fanfare” performed by Jason Rinehart (a new faculty member) and James Boldin. A Ragtime Set will follow, involving music, dance and percussion pieces.

Audience members will enjoy a medley from “Porgy and Bess,” along with Broadway highlights from: “Chicago,” “My Fair Lady,” “Hello Dolly,” “42nd Street,” “South Pacific,” “Most Happy Fella,” “The Merry Widow,” “West Side Story” and “Phantom of the Opera.”

Other Gala highlights:

• New ULM faculty that will be introduced and performing: Rinehart and Gregory Bruce.
  
• "Captain Navarra's Contraband Rag" will be performed by the ULM Percussion Ensemble; it was written by VAPA administrative assistant Carolyn Bruce and arranged by music faculty member Larry Anderson.
  
• The piano faculty will perform on both Fazoli pianos (two pianos – eight hands).
  
• In ULM’s own "42nd Street," Robin Stephens will dance with her company.

This year’s featured star will be Italian-American Claire Vangelisti, soprano and another new faculty member. She will perform songs from “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Candide.”

“She is a special talent that is strongly in demand in recital, opera and operetta productions,” said Mark Ross Clark, head of the Division of Music. “She has a luminous stage presence, and she has significant professional and teaching experience. She’s a delightful performer—very extraordinary.”

Tickets are now on sale for the President’s Gala. Tickets cost $50 per person and may be purchased by calling (318) 342-1010.

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