The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Music will present “Around the World in 80 Minutes: A Musical Extravaganza,” featuring UAB bands, choirs, ensembles and soloists, at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 16.Hosted by Fox 6 WBRC news anchors Sarah Verser and Mickey Ferguson, performers will include many of UAB’s award-winning faculty and student ensembles, including the Concert
Choir, Wind Ensemble, Gospel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Computer Music Ensemble, Opera Workshop, recording artist and jazz guitarist Eric Essix, international operatic bass-baritone Won Cho, and sensational faculty-student piano duo Yakov and Aleksandra ‘Sasha’ Kasman.
The concert will take place in the Jemison Concert Hall of UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Funds raised will support UAB Department of Music student scholarships and ensembles. Tickets are $48, $36 and $24. Student tickets are $10. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for tickets. For group ticket purchases, call 205-934-7376 or visit the UAB Department of Music online at www.uab.edu/music.
“Around the World in 80 Minutes” will provide a unique opportunity for the community to see a wide variety of performers in one setting. Featuring classical, jazz, gospel and pop, and representing musical heritages from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, this extravaganza will be a musical journey around the world. The concert is a testament to the growth and maturation that has taken place in the UAB Department of Music, says University Professor Henry Panion III, Ph.D.
“The event will showcase the many excellent student and faculty performers we have in the department,” Panion said. “This is the first of what we hope will be an annual event. In a university that is highly regarded as one of the leading medical and science research institutions in the nation, many may not be aware of the award-winning, world-class performers we have in the arts in general and in music particularly.”