October 26, 2021
The Oakland Symphony Orchestra (OSO), Oakland University’s orchestra-in-residence, will present its second concert of the season at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Varner Recital Hall.
“The OSO will present four incredibly divergent works composed for chamber orchestra,” said Dr. Gregory Cunningham, conductor, who serves as music director of the OSO, as well as director of bands, professor of music and instrumental music program coordinator at Oakland University.
Works to be performed include the emotionally austere Chamber Symphony, op. 110a of Dmitri Shostakovich, conducted by retired OU faculty member and founding conductor of the Oakland University Chamber Orchestra, Alan MacNair; Igor Stravinsky's delightful suite from his ballet Pulcinellla, and the rarely performed Dog Breath Variations/Uncle Meat composed by barrier-breaking American rock icon, Frank Zappa.
The featured soloist for the afternoon concert will be Jaquain Sloan, bassoonist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and applied instructor of bassoon in OU's School of Music, Theatre and Dance.
Sloan began his musical studies at age twelve as a percussionist when he participated in band in middle school. He stumbled upon the bassoon at age 15 and was self-taught until transferring to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he received his high school diploma studying under the supervision of Saxton Rose.
Now, his ease over the bassoon has earned him awards and recognition in competitions from organizations such as the Lenoir Community Music Club, Appalachian State University, Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and most recently with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as an African-American Orchestra Fellow.
In addition to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Sloan has performed with a number of orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, 2018 Video Game Award Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Symphony, Debut Symphony, and the American Youth Symphony.
Tickets for the Nov. 7 performance are $12 for students and $22 for the general public, and can be purchased online at etix.com.
All guests must complete a daily health screening form before arriving to campus. At this time, masks are required to enter any building.
Ticket buyers may receive an email with special instructions on the day of the event. Tickets may be printed at home or presented on mobile devices at the door. ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Any changes or additions to our season calendar will be posted on the SMTD website. Maps and parking information are available at oakland.edu/map.
One of OU’s “hidden treasures,” the OSO is comprised of professional musicians from throughout Southeastern Michigan and Northern Ohio, OU students and OU faculty.
The OSO performs most of its concerts on the OU campus in Varner Hall, with its final annual performance held in Orchestra Hall in Detroit in collaboration with the Oakland University Symphony Chorus.
For more information, visit www.oakland.edu/smtd/programs-and-majors/music/#tab-3.