The public is invited to enjoy “A Century of Bernstein and Beyond” — a special preview of Ithaca College’s traditional Commencement Eve Concert — on Friday, May 18, at the Athletics and Events Center. Serving as a dress rehearsal for the following night’s performance, the concert will be held at 8:30 p.m. and admission is free.
Directed by Mike Titlebaum, who leads the jazz studies program in the Ithaca College School of Music, the engaging hour-long concert showcases the Ithaca College Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Marimba Ragtime Band and CenterStage Brass, along with soloists from the Department of Theatre Arts and School of Music.
The concert will feature selections from some of Bernstein’s most well-known musicals, including “West Side Story,” “On the Town” and “Candide.” Also on the program are such out-of-this-world pieces as “Jupiter” from Holst’s “The Planets” and “To Boldy Go” — based on the music from “Star Trek” — along with the choral piece “Karimatanu Kuicha” and the spiritual “My God is a Rock.”
For more information on Commencement at Ithaca College, visit www.ithaca.edu/commencement.