The public is invited to savor the rich sounds of the clarinet during a free concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in Frostburg State University’s Pealer Recital Hall. The performance, part of FSU’s Faculty-Guest Artist Series, will feature the talents of Mark Gallagher, assistant professor of clarinet and music theory at FSU, Ruth McDonald and Michael McDonald. The program will include works by Crusell, Kovacs, Wendt, Tribbensee and Nelhybel.
Gallagher is an active orchestral and chamber musician. He has performed with the Contemporary Music Forum of Washington, U.S. Navy Band, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, New York City Ballet, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and the Skylight Opera Theatre Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Gallagher has performed throughout the United States and Europe. In addition to performing, he is an active teacher and clinician, lecturing on occupational health issues for musicians and the Alexander Technique.
A native of Kenilworth, N.J., Ruth McDonald began playing the clarinet at age 8. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. She continued her education at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where she earned a master’s degree in music. In 1996, she earned a doctorate in musical arts from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. As a member of the U.S. Marine Band, Ruth performs regularly at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., area and throughout the country on annual national concert tours.
An active musician in the Washington, D.C., area, Michael McDonald has performed with a variety of musical organizations, including the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and the Annapolis, Alexandria and Fairfax Symphony Orchestras. As principal clarinetist with the U.S. Navy Band, he has performed over 3,000 concerts and ceremonies in the contiguous 48 states, as well as Canada, Norway and Russia. Prior to joining the band in 1986, he attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where he received his bachelor’s degree in music performance.
For more information about the concert, call the Department of Music at 301-687-4109.
FSU is committed to making all of its programs, services and activities accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations through the ADA Compliance Office, call 301-687-4102 or use a Voice Relay Operator at 1-800-735-2258.
