Interactive Concert, Exhibit Spotlight Creativity of UMass Lowell Community
02/08/2017
Media contacts: Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. – Sound and vision will combine in a unique multi-sensory concert and gallery experience on Saturday, Feb. 25 celebrating music and videos created by UMass Lowell students, faculty and graduates.
“Powering Up!” will spotlight the talented students in UMass Lowell’s sound recording technology, music business and digital media programs, showcasing the music and video production techniques they are mastering and exploring the possibilities for the future of music and technology. The event will feature an electro-acoustic concert, a screening room where the audience can view videos and a listening space where they can sample Grammy Award-winning tracks produced by UMass Lowell alumni.
“UMass Lowell’s music programs lay the foundation for careers in audio production by incorporating the cutting-edge use of electronics in the creative arts into the classroom environment,” said Music Department Chairman Alan Williams. “The sound recording technology program is renowned across the world and has produced award-winning graduates who work at the highest levels in the profession. I am constantly impressed and inspired by the art our students and alumni generate and I’m eager to share it with the public at this one-of-a-kind event.”
UMass Lowell was the first public institution in the U.S. to offer a music education degree. Beyond music education and sound recording technology, the university today offers students a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in every aspect of music, including performance and business. For more on these programs, see www.uml.edu/FAHSS/music/.
UMass Lowell's digital media program focuses on technology and hands-on learning opportunities. The program responds to the rapidly changing digital landscape that is redefining how media is produced and consumed by audiences. More information is available at www.uml.edu/FAHSS/Digital-Media/.
“Students gain real-world experience working in UMass Lowell’s TV studio and collaborating with the theater arts, sound recording technology and music programs,” said Wael Kamal, digital media program director and faculty member. “‘Powering Up!’ gives our students the opportunity to engage with the public and share their accomplishments on their way to becoming highly qualified and nimble professionals in the field.”
The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. at the Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, 40 University Ave. on UMass Lowell’s North Campus. A reception before the event with students, faculty and alumni contributing to the show will be held in Alumni Hall, 84 University Ave., next door to the concert venue.
Admission to the show is $15 per person; admission to the reception and show is $40 per person. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for UMass Lowell music students. Tickets to “Powering Up!” are available online at www.uml.edu/celebratemusic and at the door.
“The wonderful space at the Saab Center will be used for a gallery experience. The audience will be able to move between various spaces, explore the installations, talk to the artists, listen to live performances and really engage with the works,” said Brandon Vaccaro, an Emmy Award-winning composer and UMass Lowell music faculty member who curated the event.
Portions of the documentary “Above the Ashes,” which earned Vaccaro an Emmy Award for the soundtrack, will also be screened to illustrate the work of film-score composers. The movie tells the story of a 2010 wildfire in Colorado’s Fourmile Canyon and local residents’ efforts to stop its devastation.
The UMass Lowell students, and their course of study, whose work will be featured during the event include:
- Ashby – Leighton Moylan, sound recording technology
- Beverly – Tyler Rink, digital media
- Groton – Greg Mahan, sound recording technology
- Lunenburg – Max Cooley, music business
- Medford – Marcos de Sousa, sound recording technology and Aaron King, digital media
- Medford, N.J. – Ryan Gallagher, sound recording technology
- North Attleboro – Matt Prokop, music business
- Northborough – Allison Stokoe, sound recording technology
- Reading – Evan Dingle, digital media
- Somerset – Phil Cambria, music business
- Stoughton – Michael Green, sound recording technology
- Waterville, Maine – Jaymes Riley, sound recording technology
- Wellesley – Jacob Steingart, sound recording technology
- Wilmington – Joel McKenney, sound recording technology
- Worcester – Chris Kennedy, sound recording technology
UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 17,750 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be ready for work, for life and for all the world offers. www.uml.edu