EOU hosts outdoor Music Week May 24-28

EOU hosts outdoor Music Week May 24-28

May 18, 2021 LA GRANDE, Ore. – Jazz, classical, showtunes and calypso music come to the steps of Loso Hall May 24 to 28 for the first-ever Eastern Oregon University Music Week, featuring eight 10-minute musicals. 

Following a year without in-person concerts or plays, EOU music and theatre students are itching to return to the stage. Music faculty collaborated with students to arrange a week of outdoor afternoon performances. 

The line-up includes jazz ensemble 45th Parallel, EOU Chamber Choir, Grande Ronde Symphony Strings, faculty ensembles, and senior showcase performances from 12 to 5 p.m. each day on the steps in front of Loso Hall. The week closes on Friday with a “Root Beer Choir” that invites attendees to sing along. 

A highlight of the event is a collection of eight 10-minute musicals. Each mini musical includes a cast of two to eight actors, and covers an entire narrative within its narrow window of time. All eight shows will run back-to-back from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience,” said EOU music professor Peter Wordelman.

Wordleman collaborated with fellow members of EOU’s music faculty Greg Johnson, Luke McKern, Mio Aoike and Jamie Jacobson to organize the weeklong event. He said the open air venue allows larger groups to perform together and gets musicians back in the habit of being on stage. 

The festivities start at noon on Monday with the EOU Chamber Choir, which will also perform at the same time on Wednesday. The Elgin High School Calypso Band comes on at 1 p.m. Monday. Catch EOU seniors Jason Lineback and Jeremiah Dockweiler in their showcase performance at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. 

Jazz ensemble 45th Parallel will play each day from 2 to 3 p.m., and performs with renowned jazz guitarist John Stowell and retired music faculty Matt Cooper until 5 p.m. on Thursday. The Grande Ronde String Orchestra is scheduled to play at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, featuring violinist and Young Student Concerto-Aria winner Sarah Plummer. 

Attendees get to flex their musical muscles at 3 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday with an opportunity to try bucket drumming, and the week closes with Root Beer Choir at 3 p.m. on Friday.

All of the performances are free and open to the public. Free parking is available for attendees all week, and seating will be provided. 

Find the full schedule at eou.edu/music/events-calendar.