This page is an archive of the music department's past performances. For current and upcoming performances, please visit our Performing Arts page.
2024-2025 Performances
“A picture is engraved in my heart”
VC CHOIRS AT THE MISSION
VC Concert Chorus & VC Singers
Brent Wilson, conductor
VC Community Choir
Luvi Avendano, conductor
Elaina Crenshaw, guest conductor
Mark Holmstrom, piano
Dorrie Kelly, piano
FREE COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE
One Performance:
Thursday, Nov 14, 7:00pm
San Buenaventura Mission
211 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001
Experience the beautiful choral sound of Ventura College's Choirs in teh beautiful acoustic of the historic San Buenaventura Mission on Thursday, November 14th at 7:00 PM . Under the direction of Brent Wilson and Luvi Avendano, our talented students will present a program centered around themes of peace, love, and hope, featuring the exquisite "Five Hebrew Love Songs" by Eric Whitacre, this FREE community performance will inspire and uplift. Come celebrate the power of music with us!
📍 Location: San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001
🕖 Date & Time: Thursday, Nov 14, 7:00 PM
💵 Admission: FREE
Alastair Edmonstone, piano
Presented by The Laurel Project
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tuesday, November 12, 12:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Tuesday, November 12th at noon, VC’s Laurel Project presents pianist Alastair Edmonstone. His performance will explore a rich tapestry of contemporary piano repertoire, including John Luther Adams’ evocative "Nunataks (Solitary Peaks)," Philip Glass’s hypnotic "Mad Rush," John Cage’s innovative "Bacchanale," and John Adams’ vibrant "Phrygian Gates," showcasing Edmonstone’s ability to bring modern works to life with both precision and emotional depth.
A native of Perth, Scotland, Alastair Edmonstone is a pianist renowned for his dynamic performances and deep commitment to modern music. He has graced stages across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Africa, including significant venues such as Carnegie Hall, Boston’s Jordan Hall, and Seattle Art Museum. Edmonstone’s career is distinguished by collaborations with influential composers like Jonathan Harvey and Gunther Schuller, and he has championed numerous 20th and 21st-century works, including Luciano Berio’s Sonata per pianoforte solo and Olivier Messiaen’s Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus. His chamber music experience includes performances with members of major orchestras and celebrated artists. Edmonstone holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Washington and has held faculty positions at institutions including Towson University and Lincoln University. Currently, he serves as the Keyboard Collaborative Artist and Music Director of Opera Theater at California State University, San Bernardino.
VC Chamber Music
Ovanes Arakelyan & Nick Akdag, directors
PURCHASE TICKETS
One Performance:
Sunday, Oct 27, 3:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Sunday, Oct 27 (3:00pm), VC Chamber Music (Ovanes Arakelyan & Nick Akdag, directors) presents: "A Chain of Gold." This will be a unique and varied program with music from the baroque to our modern era performed by Ventura College's talented chamber music students. One performance only!
Ventura College Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
Glinka: Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila
Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major, D 944 "The Great"
One Performance:
Saturday, Oct 26, 3:00pm
PURCHASE TICKETS
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Saturday, October 26, at 3:00 PM, Ashley Walters will conduct the Ventura College Orchestra in a performance featuring two significant works. The lively and dramatic overture from Ruslan and Lyudmila introduces themes from Mikhail Glinka's celebrated opera. Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 9 in C major, commonly known as "The Great," is an expansive work noted for its structure and lyrical melodies. The concert will be held at the Helen Yunker Auditorium in the Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura, CA 93003.
VC Jazz Band
Fundi Legohn, director
One Performance:
Sunday, October 20, 4:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 4 PM, jazz combos formed from the members of the Ventura College jazz band present a Sunday matinee of jazz favorites under the direction of Fundi Legohn. Program highlights include Summertime, Pink Panther, Isn’t She Lovely, and The Great Pumpkin Waltz.
VC Music Theatre presents:
“Sunday in the Park with George”
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Brent Wilson, director
Jamie Birkett, Scenic & Lighting Design
Anais Libunao: Costume & Hair/Makeup Design
PURCHASE TICKETS
Four Performances:
Thursday, Oct 10
– Sunday, Oct 13
Thurs/Fri: 7:30pm
Sat/Sun: 3:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Studio Theatre
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Step into the vibrant world of Sunday in the Park with George, Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking musical that breathes life into the creative process. Inspired by the painter Georges Seurat’s iconic painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," this stunning work delves into the struggles and triumphs of the artist, blending Sondheim’s unforgettable music with a poignant exploration of art, love, and legacy.
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Orchestrations by Michael Starobin.
Performances are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Laurel Project presents:
Fortuna Wind Quintet
Suzanne Duffy, flute
Kimaree Gilad, oboe
Sarra Hey, clarinet
Nick Akdag, bassoon
Jon Titmus, horn
PURCHASE TICKETS
One Performance:
Monday, October 7, 12:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
The Laurel Project's second concert will feature the return of the Fortuna Wind Quintet. This ensemble is formed by VC faculty members Kimaree Gilad on oboe, Nick Akdag on bassoon, and Jon Titmus on horn, joined by guest artists Suzanne Duffy on flute and Sarra Hey on clarinet. The program, inspired by the energy and power of the 2024 Paris Olympics, features music by composers Milhaud, Ibert, Bozza, Debussy, and more.
Presented as part of The Laurel Project: Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
Duo Apollon
Presented by The Laurel Project
Anastasia Malliaras, soprano
Taso Comanescu, guitar
Monday, September 9, 12:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
The Laurel Project starts its third season with a performance by the Duo Apollon, featuring soprano Anastasia Malliaras and Taso Comanescu on guitar. Hailed for their "grace, poise, and fearless expressivity," the duo has performed recitals for venues and concert series throughout Los Angeles, including the "Sundays Live" series at LACMA. Duo Apollon was selected as winners of the 2019 Beverly Hills National Auditions, which gave them the opportunity to perform a series of concerts throughout Los Angeles and its surrounding communities. The duo's debut album, FOLKSONGS was released in August 2023 with Navona Records.
Greek-American soprano Anastasia Malliaras is dedicated to exploring new artistic and vocal dimensions. Known for her warm and bright timbre, her voice has a distinctive elegance and natural tone. She has performed a range of operatic roles including Nannetta, Olympia, Zerbinetta, Marie, and Frasquita. This spring, Anastasia will debut with Opera Mississippi as Pamina in The Magic Flute. In 2023, she was an apprentice at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, covering Despina in Mozart’s Cosí fan tutte and making her professional debut as Mrs. Hayes in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah. Previously, she was a Studio Artist at Central City Opera, portraying Ruth Baldwin in Musto’s Later That Same Evening. She has also been involved in the Young Artist Vocal Academy at Houston Grand Opera and the iSing! International Young Artist Festival. Anastasia has achieved recognition in various prestigious competitions, including the Loren L. Zachary Competition, the Irene Dalis Vocal Competition at Opera San Jose, and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Los Angeles District and Western Regionals. She is also an active performer on the concert stage in Los Angeles, having been featured as the soprano soloist in Messiah with the Dream Orchestra of Los Angeles and performing with the Los Angeles Symphony. A USC graduate with a Master of Music degree in Vocal Arts, Anastasia is also the co-founder and a vocalist in the chamber music ensemble Duo Apollon. The ensemble released their debut album, Folksongs, in August 2023 with Navona Records.
American guitarist Taso Comanescu has emerged on the classical music scene as a colorful performer full of subtle nuance, strong musicianship and a variety of repertoire that creatively captures his audiences. Comanescu is an in-demand solo performer, ensemble artist and instructor whose accomplishments have taken him around the globe with numerous recitals in the United States, Europe and Asia. During the 2023-2024 season, Comanescu performed a solo recital at the Los Angeles Guitar Festival headlining the event alongside virtuosos Pepe Romero, Antonio Rey and Adam Del Monte. His debut solo recording, “Epitaphios”, showcases music from around the world and his second album, “Renaissance | Baroque”, features transcriptions originally for lute, vihuela, theorbo and baroque guitar. Taso has also performed and recorded with internationally acclaimed dramatic tenor Charles Castronovo. He received his degrees from Pepperdine University studying with Christopher Parkening and the University of Southern California under Scott Tennant. Taso has been a member of the music faculty at Pepperdine University since 2011 and is a featured instructor at EliteGuitarist.com. In addition to his pursuits in classical music he is a member of the Greek Rebetiko Trio and LA-based rock band Blind
Sparrow. Connect with Taso on Instagram and Facebook @tasocomanescu
TasoGuitar.com
Presented as part of The Laurel Project: Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition
Featuring the Schwab Academy Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Sunday, July 21 at 4:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Sunday, July 21, the Schwab Academy Summer Orchestra (Ashley Walters, Conductor) accompanies the finalists of the 14th Annual Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition. Day 2 of 2
Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition
Featuring the Schwab Academy Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, July 20 at 4:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Saturday, July 20, the Schwab Academy Summer Orchestra (Ashley Walters, Conductor) accompanies the finalists of the 14th Annual Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition. Day 1 of 2
Schwab Academy Chamber Music
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Friday, July 19 at 5:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Friday, July 19, the Schwab Academy Chamber Music Program (Ashley Walters, director) presents its second concert of the 2024 season. One performance only!
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
Schwab Academy Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, July 13 at 4:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Saturday, July 13, the Schwab Academy Summer Orchestra (Ashley Walters, Director) presents its first concert of the 2023 season, featuring Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. One performance only!
Schwab Academy Chamber Music
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Friday, July 12 at 5:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Friday, July 12, the Schwab Academy Chamber Music Program (Ashley Walters, director) presents its first concert of the 2024 season. One performance only!
2023-2024 Performances
Opera Gala
UC Santa Barbara Department of Music
UC Santa Barbara Theater/Dance
Ventura College Performing Arts Department
Isabel Bayrakdarian, director
Brent Wilson, conductor
Christina McCarthy, choreographer
Thursday, May 16, 7:30pm at VC
(& Friday May 17 at UCSB)
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Thursday, May 16th (7:30 pm) Ventura College's Department of Performing Arts partners with UC Santa Barbara Music and Theater/Dance departments to present an Opera Gala featuring scenes by Mozart, Gluck, Handel, Bologne, and Oliveira. Isabel Bayrakdarian directs and Brent Wilson conducts, with choreography by Christina McCarthy. The Ventura College Chorus & Singers accompany soloists from UCSB's Voice Department, with a joint orchestra.
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Sunday, May 5, 2:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
On May 5, VC Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, director) presents a varied program with selections from across the musical spectrum.
Ventura College Symphony & Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, May 4, 4:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
On Saturday, May the 4th, Ashley Walters leads the VC Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra in a program that includes the US Premiere of Mark Menzies' Wai-rā-rawa; Shostakovich's Quartet No. 8; The first movement from Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, featuring Allegro Competition Winner Alex Fager as violin soloist; plus John Williams' Star Wars Suite for Orchestra. Fans of the films won't want to miss music including Princess Leia’s Theme, Darth Vadar’s Imperial March, and Yoda’s Theme: May the Fourth be with you!
STRAIGHT AHEAD
Ventura College Jazz Band
Fundi Legohn, director
One Performance:
Friday, May 3, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
On Friday, May 3 (7:30 pm) Fundi Legohn leads the Ventura College Jazz Band in an exciting, energetic, eclectic program. The talented student musicians will present a program that explores jazz styles including swing, bebop, blues, straight ahead, big band, funk, and experimental. Don't miss this one-night only event!
Ventura College Concert Choir
Ventura College Singers
Brent Wilson, director
Anastasia Milliaras, soprano
Christina Pezzarossi, mezzo-soprano
Benjamin Brecher, tenor
Luvi Avendano, baritone
Saint-Saëns Requiem, Op. 54
Vivaldi Magnificat
One Performance:
Friday, April 26, 7:00 pm
San Buenaventura Mission
211 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001
free admission (donations accepted) No tickets required.
On Friday, April 26, Brent Wilson will lead the Ventura College Concert Choir and Singers in a performance of Camille Saint-Saéns' moving Requiem and Vivaldi's Magnificat. For the second year in a row, this free, one-night only performance will be held at the San Buenaventura Mission. Featuring guest artists: Anastasia Milliaras, soprano; Christina Pezzarossi, mezzo-soprano; Benjamin Brecher, tenor; and Luvi Avendano, baritone. This special community concert is offered at no charge, seating is first-come, first-served.
Ventura College Theatre Arts
2024 Student Directed Play Festival
Five Performances:
Wednesday, April 17 *PREVIEW* 7:30pm
Thursday, April 18, 7:30pm
Friday, April 19, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 20, 7:30pm
Sunday, April 21, 3:30pm
Performing Arts Center
VC PAC Studio Theater
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Join us for an evening of plays acted, directed, and designed by VC Theatre Arts students. The evening promises to be full of laughs and thought-provoking moments that explore humanity through a variety of scenarios and situations. Student directors are: Savannah Atchison, Alyssa Renae, Alessandra Gotico, Mae Lazarovits, Isaiah Maldonado, Joshua Minjarez, Jerome Morata, and Miles Vega. Due to limited seating, reservations are highly encouraged. Please be aware this production contains strong language, adult situations, and lighting effects that may affect visually sensitive patrons.
TICKETS
Students/Staff/Seniors: $5
General Admission: $15
Plays Include:
A Brief Argument of Time by Kyle Harpole
directed by Alessandra Gotico
A Brief Argument of Time is produced by special arrangement with Heuer Publishing (www.hitplays.com)
Bullies Anonymous by E.M. Bell
directed by Josh Minjarez
produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)
For Mr. Cuddles by Erin Moughan
directed by Alyssa Renae
Game Theory by Peter Sagal
directed by Miles Vega
“Game Theory” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (www.concordtheatricals.com)
Pay it Backwards by Donna Hoke
directed by Mae Lazarovits
The Proxy by Philip J. Kaplan
directed by Savannah Atchison
Smitten by Mark Harvey Levine
directed by Isaiah Maldonado
Whose Bag is it Anyway by Michele Markarian
directed by Jerome Morata
Produced by Nathan Cole
Costumes by Anais Libunao
Sets/Lighting by Jamie Birkett
The Laurel Project
One Performance:
Friday, April 12, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Presented as part of The Laurel Project (Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series), internationally recognized guitarist Rovshan Mamedkuliev will perform an intimate program of guitar music.
The Azerbaijani-born musician moved with his family Russia, where he started taking guitar lessons at the age of eleven. Showing exceptional musical talent, he was accepted to the Nizhny Novgorod Conservatoire where he studied with nationally recognized guitarist Aleksey Petropavlovsky. He completed his studies with Honors in 2009 and was promptly invited to teach at the conservatory. In 2014 was named associate professor of classical guitar in the Maimonides State Classical Academy (Moscow). In 2023 he was named professor at the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music (Moscow).
His solo career has taken him around the world to cities including Brasilia, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Zagreb, Belgrade, Istanbul, Vilnius, Sarajevo, Chisinau, Baku, Minsk, Seoul, Beijing, Moscow, Bangkok, Toronto, and Los-Angeles. He has given solo concerts at Carnegie Hall and Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. After winning GFA's International Concert Artist Competition, Rovshan gave a 51-concert solo tour throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. He has been a soloist with ensembles and orchestras including l’Ensemble orchestral de Valencia (Spain); Orchestre du Conservatoire National de Musique Superiur de Paris (France); Azerbaijani State Chamber Orchestra; Nizhny Novgorod Philharmonic Symphonic Orchestra; and the State Symphony Orchestra of the Udmurt Republic. Rovshan has premiered many new works for classical guitar, including Concerto №3 "Antony" for guitar and symphonic orchestra by Philippe Lemaigre (Antony, France, 2012) and Concerto "Famalicao" by Elena Lebedeva for guitar and chamber orchestra (Kostroma, Russia, 2008).
Rovshan Mamedkuliev has been awarded top honors in many international competitions, including the "Hommage à Leo Brouwer" Competition in France; the Heitor Villa-Lobos Competition in Spain; the A. Frauchi Competition in Moscow; the Francisco Tárrega Competition in Spain; and the Michele Pittaluga Competition in Italy. In 2012 Rovshan won one of the most prestigious guitar competitions in the world - XXX Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition (Charleston, SC, USA).
His published arrangements for guitar include "Masters of Russian Composition: Alexander Borodin and Anatoly Lyadov” (2014), "Fikret Amirov. 6 Miniatures”(2015). His recordings include “Con Anima” (2011), “Semi-Awake, Semi-Dream”(Contrastes Records, 2015) and a guitar recital for the prestigious Naxos label’s Laureate Series (2012).
Presented as part of The Laurel Project: Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Sunday, March 10, 2:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On March 10, VC Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, director) presents a varied program with selections from across the musical spectrum.
Ventura College Symphony & Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, March 9, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On March 9, Ashley Walters leads the VC Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra. Program includes Dvořák's String Quartet #12 ("American"); Márquez's Danzón No. 2; Ethel Smyth's Overture to The Wreckers; plus our Allegro Solo Competition making their debuts with the VC Symphony Orchestra. Dylan Gruber (flute) performs the third movement from Mozart's Flute Concerto in D-Major, and Jonathan Tellez (euphonium) performs Belén by Ricardo Mollá.
The Laurel Project
Ani Aznavoorian, cello
Robert Koenig, piano
One Performance:
Monday, March 4, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Presented as part of The Laurel Project (Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series), renowned musicians Ani Aznavoorian (cello) and Robert Koenig (piano) present an intimate program of passionate, dazzling music from the chamber music repertoire. Canadian pianist Robert Koenig has performed throughout the world to great acclaim as a collaborative pianist and chamber musician. He has performed at many of the world's most important stages including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Louvre Museum, and in San Francisco, Vancouver, Tokyo, Taiwan, Hong Kong’, London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Koenig is Head of Collaborative Piano at UCSB and he is the recently appointed Artistic Director of the Palm Springs International Piano Competition. Cellist Ani Aznavoorian has appeared as soloist with
orchestras around the world including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, and Boston Pops. Aznavoorian is the principal cellist of Camerata Pacifica and appears regularly at chamber music festivals globally. She has also served on the music faculty at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana. She is the recipient of the Bunkamura Orchard Hall Award, was named Presidential Scholar in the Arts upon receiving a medal from President Bill Clinton, and was a top prize winner of the International Paulo Cello Competition. Ms. Aznavoorian has been Grammy nominated for her recordings for her label Cedille Records, and she proudly performs on a cello made by her father Peter Aznavoorian in Chicago.
Presented as part of The Laurel Project: Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
L'Enfant et les sortilèges
By Maurice Ravel
Brent Wilson, director
Ovanes Arakelyan, Piano
Elaina Crenshaw, Asst. Music Director
Jamie Birkett, Sets/Lighting
Anais Libunao, Costumes
Four Performances:
Thursday, February 1–3, 7:30 PM
***Sunday, February 4 Cancelled due to weather**
Performing Arts Center
Studio Theater
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
After misbehaving, a frustrated mother sends her child to the attic. To the child’s surprise, the objects abandoned there come to life, and the animals that live in the eaves begin to speak! Colette’s timeless story and Ravel’s charming music are sure to delight audiences of all ages.
Performances at the VC Performing Arts Center
One Performance:
Sunday, December 10, 2:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On December 10, VC Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, director) presents a varied program with selections from across the musical spectrum.
After the Freeze
Ventura College Symphony & Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Saturday, December 9, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On December 9, Ashley Walters leads the Ventura College Symphony & Chamber Orchestra in a premiere performance featuring Anuj Bhutani's After the Freeze for strings and special guests Mayuri Vasan (voice) and Neelamjit Dhillon (tabla); Grieg's Holberg Suite, Samuel Barber's lush sweeping Adagio for Strings; and selections from Gustav Holst's The Planets.
Ventura College Jazz Band
"Holiday Jazz"
Fundi Legohn, director
One Performance:
Friday, December 8, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Friday, December 8th (7:30 pm) Fundi Legohn leads the Ventura College Jazz Band in a holiday program with music from Scotty Morris (Big Bad Voodo Daddys), Wayne Shorter, Jessie Sharps, Wes Montgomery and more. Special guest Ms. Maia lends her talents on harp, flute and voice. Don't miss this one-night only event!
Ventura College Theatre Arts
The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later
BY:
Moisés Kaufman
Leigh Fondakowski
Greg Pierotti
Andy Paris
Stephen Belber
Four Performances:
Thursday, November 30, 7:30pm
Friday, December 1, 7:30pm
Saturday, December 2, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 3, 3:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Shortly after the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, playwright Moises Kaufman’s (founder of the Tectonic Theater Project) led a team of theater-collective collaborators to create The Laramie Project. Together, they blended the more than 200 interviews they conducted with Laramie residents with re-enactments of parts of the trials of Shepard's killers. Ten years later, the team went back to Laramie to re-interview many of the people they'd met a decade ago — as well as talking to some new sources. They wanted to write an epilogue that addressed the continued debate over the reasons for Shepard death and to explore time's complicated effect on personal and collective memory and narrative.
Directed by Nathan Cole
Costumes by Anais Libunao
Sets/Lighting by Jamie Birkett
FROSTIANA,
Music Celebrating the Changing Seasons
Ventura College Chorus & Singers
One Performance:
Friday, November 17, 7:00pm
211 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93001
FREE COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE
On November 17, Brent Wilson leads the VC Concert Choir and VC Singers in a special free program at the San Buenaventura Mission featuring Frostiana by Randall Thompson, with music set to poetry by Robert Frost. The program also features selections by Drew Corey, Amy Bernon, Eric Whitacre as well as arrangements of “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and “The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy.” Brent Wilson, conductor; Mark Holmstrom, piano.
Armen Guzelimian, piano
One Performance:
Monday, November 6, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
This November, The Laurel Project will feature noted pianist Armen Guzelimian in a program entitled "The Composer and the Performer, A Personal Narrative." Guzelimian is a celebrated soloist, collaborative artist, and chamber musician. He has received national and international critical acclaim for his appearances in many of the major concert halls in the U.S.A and Europe. He has appeared as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has collaborated with such major artists as Kiri Te Kanawa, Thomas Hampson, Lucia Popp. He has performed with conductors including Neville Marriner and has had the privilege of working closely with the great composers Aram Khachaturian, Witold Lutoslawski, Thomas Pasatieri and others. As an educator, he has taught and coached at institutions including the USC School of Music, Music Academy of the West, the Merola Program at San Francisco Opera, Paris Opera, the Eastman School of Music, and the Aspen Music Festival and School. As a recording artist, Mr. Guzelimian's performances are represented on the EMI, Angel, Teldec, Nonesuch, Delos and Crystal labels.
Presented as part of The Laurel Project: Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
One Performance:
Sunday, November 5, 2:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On November 5, VC Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, director) presents a varied program with selections from across the musical spectrum.
One Performance:
Saturday, November 4, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On November 4, Ashley Walters leads the VC Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra in a program featuring Leoš Janáček's Idyll, Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, and Robert Schumann's “Rhenish” Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major.
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Brent Wilson, director/conductor
Four Performances:
Thursday, October 19-Sunday, October 22, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Winner of four Tony Awards (including Best Musical), A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder is a British black comedy revolving around Monty Navarro, a poor relation of one of England’s wealthiest families, who learns he is eighth in line to the family fortune. Snobbish treatment from his relatives—and desperation to impress a woman — sets him on a murderous path to eliminate those who stand in the way of his inheritance.
Based on a novel by Roy Horniman, Gentleman’s Guide features music by Steven Lutvak, lyrics by Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman, and a book by Freedman.
Ventura College’s Brent Wilson conducts/directs; Costumes by Anais Libunao; Sets and lighting by Jamie Birkett.
Four Performances at the VC Performing Arts Center
Fortuna Wind Quintet
Suzanne Duffy, flute
Kimaree Gilad, oboe
Sarra Hey, clarinet
Nick Akdag, bassoon
Jon Titmus, horn
One Performance:
Monday, October 2, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
The Laurel Project's second concert will feature the newly-formed Fortuna Wind Quintet. This ensemble is formed by VC faculty members Kimaree Gilad on oboe, Nick Akdag on bassoon, and Jon Titmus on horn, joined by guest artists Suzanne Duffy on flute and Sarra Hey on clarinet. Works by Fisher Tull, Amy Beach, William Grant Still, John Biggs, Irving Fine.
Presented as part of The Laurel Project: Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
"Fire Dance" ZePure Trio
Ovanes Arakelyan, piano
Chika Inoue, saxophone
Maksim Velichkin, cello
One Performance:
Monday, September 11, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
The Laurel Project starts its second season with a performance by the ZePure Trio. This ensemble is formed by VC faculty Ovanes Arakelyan on piano, joined by Chika Inoue on saxophone and Maksim Velichkin on cello. The program, called Fire Dance, features Manuel de Falla's "Danza ritual del Fuego" (Ritual Fire Dance) and other fiery selections.
Presented as part of The Laurel Project: Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition
Featuring the Schwab Academy Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Sunday, July 23 at 2:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Sunday, July 23, the Schwab Academy Summer Orchestra (Ashley Walters, Conductor) accompanies the finalists of the 13th Annual Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition. Day 2 of 2
Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition
Featuring the Schwab Academy Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, July 22 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Saturday, July 22, the Schwab Academy Summer Orchestra (Ashley Walters, Conductor) accompanies the finalists of the 13th Annual Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition. Day 1 of 2
Schwab Academy Chamber Music
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Friday, July 21 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Friday, July 21, the Schwab Academy Chamber Music Program (Ashley Walters, director) presents its second concert of the 2023 season. One performance only!
Schwab Academy Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, July 15 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Saturday, July 15, the Schwab Academy Summer Orchestra (Ashley Walters, Director) presents its second concert of the 2023 season. One performance only!
Schwab Academy Chamber Music
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Friday, July 14 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Friday, July 14, the Schwab Academy Chamber Music Program (Ashley Walters, director) presents its first concert of the 2023 season. One performance only!
Schwab Academy Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, July 8 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Saturday, July 8, the Schwab Academy Summer Orchestra (Ashley Walters, Director) presents its first concert of the 2023 season. One performance only!
Verdi: Nabucco Overture
Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Ravel: Boléro
2022-2023 Performances
VC Symphony Orchestra
VC Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Sunday, May 14 at 2:30
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
“The Ventura College Orchestra gave a strong performance and clearly won over the audience. The sound of the big orchestra filled the hall; the performance was lively, loud and convincing. Cheering and an enthusiastic ovation from the audience followed. It is clear that Conductor Ashley Walters has brought the Ventura College Music program to a high level of accomplishment, building new cultural bridges in the process.”~ Review in Sequenza 21 (Paul Muller)
VC Jazz Band
Fundi Legohn, director
One Performance:
Saturday, May 13 at 6:00pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Saturday May 13th, the Ventura College Jazz Band (Fundi Legohn, director) pays tribute to tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, whose influential career as a performer and composer spanned more than half a century, during which time he was the tenor saxophonist and in-house composer for Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and the Miles Davis Quintet. This concert will feature special guest artist tenor saxophonist Randal Fisher.
VC Chamber Music
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Friday, May 12 at 7:30
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Friday, May 12, Ventura College Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, Director) presents its talented chamber music students in organically-formed ensembles collaborating to perform highly varied repertoire spanning the classical era to present day. The program for this concert features music by composers including Clara Schumann, Henri Duparc, J.S. Bach and Sebastián Yradier. One performance only!
DURUFLÉ: Requiem
HAGEN: The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci
The Ventura College Chorus and Singers
Brent Wilson, director
The Gold Coast Concert Chorus
ELIZABETH HELMS director
Two Performances:
Friday, April 21, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 22, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
The Gold Coast Concert Chorus (Elizabeth Helms, director) joins the Ventura College Chorus and Singers (Brent Wilson, director) for two performances of Maurice Duruflé's sublime Requiem. One of the most beautiful choral pieces ever written, the Requiem pairs flowing Gregorian chant with the lush, sumptuous harmonic language of 20th-century France. Duruflé's intensely personal take on the requiem mass remains his largest and most performed work. The piece will be paired with Jocelyn Hagen's Renaissance-inspired contemporary favorite, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. Composed to honor da Vinci’s remarkable legacy on the 500th anniversary of his death in 2019, the work is set to text from his notebooks, which draw on themes of art, science, nature and technology.
Primavera Guitar Quartet
Featuring faculty from Ventura and Oxnard Colleges,
Northeastern University and Orange Coast College
Works by Telemann, Stravinsky, Bellinati, and Torroba
One Performance:
Monday, April 10, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Monday, April 10, The Laurel Project presents the Primavera Guitar Quartet. From the Baroque to the 20th century, the Primavera Quartet presents guitar ensemble works exploring over 300 years of music from Europe and the Americas, including works by Georg Philipp Telemann, Igor Stravinsky, Paulo Bellinati, and Federico Moreno Torroba. This concert features music faculty from both Ventura & Oxnard Colleges, Northeastern University and Orange Coast College: Hugo Maia Nogueira, Randy Pile, Bob Ward, and Scott Wolf.
Presented as part of The Laurel Project:
Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
"Sound in Motion"
VC Chamber Music
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Sunday, March 12 at 2:30
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Sunday, March 12, Ventura College Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, Director) presents “Sound in Motion.” Organically-formed ensembles collaborate to perform highly varied repertoire spanning the classical era to present day. The program for this concert features music by composers including Schubert, Telemann and Metallica. One performance only!
"Music for Dancing"
VC Symphony Orchestra
VC Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, March 11 at 7:30
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On March 11, the VC Symphony Orchestra and the VC Chamber Orchestra present "Music for Dancing." Led by Ashley Walters, this concert is centered around music inspired by or written for dancing. The program includes Borodin’s “Polovtsian Dances,” Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night's Dream,” Saint–Saëns’ “Dance of the Tumblers,” Bloch’s “Concerto Grosso No. 1,” Berteau’s “Sonata for two cellos and bass continuo” and Shostakovich’s “Piano Quintet in G Minor.” One performance only!
CLICK HERE for Eng/Esp Translations
"Songs my Mother Taught Me"
Arnold Livingston Geis, tenor
Catherine Miller, piano
One Performance:
Monday, March 6, 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Monday, March 6 Arnold Livingston Geis (tenor) and Catherine Miller (piano) present "Songs my Mother taught Me." This emotionally powerful program is a tribute to Geis’s mother, who was a successful opera singer who received her master’s in Psychology just before her untimely death due to breast cancer on September 11th, 2002. Geis's personal tragedy inspired this autobiographical program that explores the intersection of music, faith, forgiveness and healing.
Featuring music by Robert Schumann, Richard Strauss, W.A. Mozart, Franz Lehar, Antonin Dvořák, Ricky Ian Gordon & Missy Mazzoli.
Presented as part of The Laurel Project: Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
Artist Biographies
Arnold Livingston Geis is a graduate of the Cafritz Young Artist Program, has been an Apprentice Artist with Chautauqua Opera, a Young Artist with Opera on the Avalon and Glimmerglass Opera, and an Apprentice Artist with Bel Canto at Caramoor. He received his Master of Music from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California and his Bachelor of Music from Biola University.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL BIO
Native Californian Catherine Miller is the Artistic Director of the Pasadena Vocal Competition, a member of the music staff for San Diego Opera and active as a vocal coach and recitalist with classical singers. Appearances in recital with renowned soprano Angel Blue have included iconic venues such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Wigmore Hall and The Ravinia Festival. Catherine has worked extensively in the Los Angeles area with Los Angeles Opera, Opera Pacific, Opera Santa Barbara and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
The Addams Family Musical
Book: Marshall Brickman
Book: Rick Elice
Music and Lyrics: Andrew Lippa
Brent Wilson, director
Jamie Birkett, scenic design
Anais Libunao, costume/makeup design
Four Performances:
Thursday, February 2, 7:30pm
Friday, February 3, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 4, 7:30pm
Sunday, February 5, 2:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium, PAC
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
The Addams Family is a comical feast that embraces all things macabre and celebrates the wackiness in every family. In Andrew Lippa's musical, the ghoulish bunch confronts middle–American values when Wednesday Addams falls in love. Her nice, young beau and his aggressively normal parents accept Gomez and Morticia's invitation to dinner, prompting mischief and misunderstandings that change both families forever.
Light Up the Season
VC Chamber Music
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Sunday, December 11 at 2:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
On Sunday, December 11, Ventura College Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, Director) presents “Light Up the Season” This varied program, featuring notable works by a diverse slate of composers from across the musical spectrum, will be performed in the Helen Yunker Auditorium at VC’s Performing Arts Center. – One performance only!
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
A Celebration of Hope
The VC Symphony Orchestra
& Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, December 10 at 7:30
CORELLI: "Christmas Concerto" Op. 6, No. 8
BRAHMS: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
LAWSON: Tumaini (”Hope”)
MÁRQUEZ: Danzón No. 2
On Saturday, December 10, The VC Chamber & Symphony Orchestras (Ashley Walters, Director) present “A Celebration of Hope.” The program honors Robert Lawson on his retirement, and the repertoire is a celebration of friendship and collaboration. One performance only!
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
Lost Luggage & Tangled Christmas Lights
The Ventura College Chorus and Singers
Brent Wilson, director
One Performance:
Friday, December 9 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way s/he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
– Maya Angelou
On Friday, December 9, the Ventura College Chorus & Singers will present a program combining music set to wise, witty texts by poet Maya Angelou with a selection of music to kick off the holiday season. Join conductor Brent Wilson and pianist Mark Holmstrom and our talented singers for this energetic and varied program.
Ventura College Jazz Band
Fundi Legohn, director
One Performance:
Saturday, December 3 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
DAL SEGNO Vocal Ensemble
Brent Wilson, director
One Performance:
Monday, November 7, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Presented as part of The Laurel Project:
Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
The Laurel Project presents vocal ensemble,“Dal Segno.” Founder and conductor Brent Wilson leads the eight voice ensemble in Giovanni Palestrina’s foundational, exhilarating Missa Papae Marcelli. The program also features works by Caroline Shaw, including Partita, a piece hailed as “exhilarating, sensual and playful” by The New York Times which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 2013, making Shaw the youngest composer to ever receive this honor.
Music for Strings, Brass, Winds, Guitar, & Percussion
Ashley Walters, director
One Performance:
Sunday, November 6 at 2:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
Led by Ashley Walters, the talented students from Ventura College's Chamber Music program present "Let Beauty Awake," an afternoon of music for Strings, Brass, Guitar and Percussion. Repertoire includes music by Mozart, Schubert, Schuman, Brahms, Handel, and Corelli.
The Dawn of a New World
The VC Symphony Orchestra
& VC Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, conductor
One Performance:
Saturday, November 5 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium, PAC
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Led by Ashley Walters, the VC Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra present "The Dawn of a New World." Repertoire includes Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World"), Borodin's String Sextet in d-minor, and Haydn's Quartet in B-flat Major ("Sunrise").
The Turn of the Screw
Brent Wilson, director
Jamie Birkett, set design
Four Performances:
Thursday, October 27, 7:30pm
Friday, October 28, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 29, 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Studio Theatre, PAC
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Opera’s best ghost story comes to Ventura College! Brent Wilson leads Benjamin Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw” in a production designed by Jamie Birkett for the VC Department of Performing Arts. The eerie story is adapted by Myfanwy Piper from Henry James’ novella.
A certain Slant of light;
Music set to the poetry of Emily Dickinson
The Ventura College Chorus and Singers
Brent Wilson, director
One Performance:
Friday, October 14 at 7:30pm
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
DUO IMAGINALIS
Hugo Nogueira, guitar
Ekaterina Bessmeltseva, piano
One Performance:
Monday, October 3, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003
Presented as part of The Laurel Project:
DUO DE AMOR
Ovanes Arakelyan, piano
One Performance:
Monday, September 12, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
Presented as part of The Laurel Project:
2022 Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition
Featuring The Schwab Summer Academy Orchestra
One Performance:
Sunday, July 24, 2:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
2022 Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition
Featuring The Schwab Summer Academy Orchestra
One Performance:
Sunday, July 23, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
2022 Schwab Summer Academy
Featuring Schwab Summer Academy Chamber Music
One Performance:
Friday, July 22, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
2022 Schwab Summer Academy
Featuring Schwab Summer Academy Chamber Music
One Performance:
Sunday, July 17, 2:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
2022 Schwab Summer Academy
Featuring the Schwab Summer Academy Symphony Orchestra
One Performance:
Saturday, July 16, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
2022 Schwab Summer Academy
Featuring Schwab Summer Academy Chamber Music
One Performance:
Friday, July 15, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
2022 Schwab Summer Academy
Featuring the Schwab Summer Academy Symphony Orchestra
One Performance:
Saturday, July 9, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Helen Yunker Auditorium
2021-2022 Performances
"Monk, Mingus, Miles and More: Celebrating Jazz Excellence"
Featuring the VC Jazz Band
One Performance:
Saturday, May 14 / 5:00 PM
Helen Yunker Auditorium
VC Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
Jazz is alive and well at VC! On May 14, the VC Jazz Band (Fundi Legohn, director) presents "Monk, Mingus, Miles and More: Celebrating Jazz Excellence." Students in the VC Jazz program will be joined by a few special musical guests to perform the music of master jazz icons including Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus & Miles Davis. This program will be performed in the Helen Yunker Auditorium at VC’s Performing Arts Center (masks recommended).
"A Feast for the Senses"
Featuring the VC Music Department with Guests from VC Dance
One Performance:
Wednesday, May 11, 4:30 PM
Performing Arts Center
Outdoor Stage
4700 Loma Vista Road
On Wednesday, May 11th, The Department of Performing Arts presents “A Feast for the Senses.” This open house begins at 4:30pm with a performance by VC Dance (Krenly Guzman, director) in the Yunker Auditorium. At 5pm, the party moves to the Outdoor Theatre with performances from VC Music ensembles including the VC Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, director), the VC Symphony & Chamber Orchestras and VC Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, director) and the VC Jazz Band (Fundi Legohn, director). Celebrate the end of the semester and the beginning of summer with an evening of performing arts performed by our talented students! This program will be performed live, following all Covid procedures, on the Performing Arts Center Lawn.
"Take Me to the World: A Celebration of Stephen Sondheim"
Featuring the VC Chorus & Singers
One Performance:
Tuesday, May 10 / 7:30 PM
Helen Yunker Auditorium
VC Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
On May 10, the VC Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, conductor) present "Take Me to the World: A Celebration of Stephen Sondheim." The choirs will be joined by Mark Holmstrom on piano and guest soloists from the Voice program performing musical tributes to Stephen Sondheim (1939–2021), the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and lyricist who was credited with reinventing the American musical. The program includes songs from A Little Night Music, Evening Primrose, Passion, and Sweeney Todd. In addition, the choirs will perform pieces by Bartok, Arnesen, Gjeilo, and others. This program will be performed in the Helen Yunker Auditorium at VC’s Performing Arts Center (masks recommended).
"A Springtime Bouquet"
Featuring VC Chamber Music
One Performance:
Saturday, May 7 / 2:30 PM
Helen Yunker Auditorium
VC Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
On May 7, Ventura College Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, director) present “A Springtime Bouquet,” featuring VC students Marla Ascencion, Alex Curry, Crista Guerrero Donovan, Jay Lawton, Mary Peterson, and Yoav Vega. This varied program features notable works by Albinoni, Bach, Cowell, Debussy, Haydn, Telemann, and more! This program will be performed in the Helen Yunker Auditorium at VC’s Performing Arts Center.
"Melodies in Bloom"
Featuring the VC Symphony Orchestra and the VC Chamber Orchestra
One Performance:
Saturday, April 30 / 2:30 PM
VC Performing Arts Center
Outdoor Theatre
4700 Loma Vista Road
On April 30, the Ventura College Chamber Orchestra and the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra (Ashley Walters, conductor) present “Melodies in Bloom.” This program features music by VC Professor Andrew Tholl and by Los Angeles composer Harold Budd, who was noted for his collaborations with art-pop artists like Brian Eno and Cocteau Twins and for the spaciousness and calm of his music. The program also features Dvořák's exuberant ”American" Quartet and Beethoven's revolutionary "Eroica" Symphony. This program will be performed live, following all Covid procedures, on the Performing Arts Center Lawn.
"Hansel & Gretel"
Featuring: VC Opera & Musical Theatre Department
Three Performances:
Friday, April 22 / 7:30PM
Saturday, April 23 / 3:30pm
Saturday, April 23 / 7:30pm
Helen Yunker Theatre
VC Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
Hansel & Gretel comes to Ventura College April 22-23. Enter a magical forest where the trees are older than time, fairies lurk in the shadows, and a house of candy sits alone amidst the trees. Experience this cherished musical fairy tale with its beautiful, folk-music inspired themes, including the famous "Evening Prayer” in this colorful production of Engelbert Humperdinck's beloved opera. Filled with drama and wonder, Hansel & Gretel will delight and charm the whole family.
"Music in the Air"
Featuring: VC Chamber Orchestra, VC Symphony Orchestra
One Performance:
Saturday, March 12 / 2:30PM
VC Performing Arts Center
Outdoor Theatre
4700 Loma Vista Road
The Ventura College Chamber Orchestra and the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra (Ashley Walters, conductor) leap into springtime with “Music in the Air.” The program features the Chamber Orchestra performing Haydn’s String Quartet No. 2 “Quinten” and Shostakovich’s powerful String Quartet No. 8. Then, the VC Symphony Orchestra takes us to Italy, performing the Overture to Verdi’s opera “La forza del destino” (“The power of destiny”) and Mendelssohn “Italian” Symphony No. 4 in A Major.
A Winter Celebration
Featuring the VC Chorus & Singers,
VC Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra,
Chamber Music, and Jazz Band
ABOUT:
The Department of Performing Arts presents A WINTER CELEBRATION. This two-day music festival runs December 11th and 12th and features the VC Chorus & Singers, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Chamber Music. This musical open house begins at 1pm and will run until about 4pm; come early to picnic –local food trucks will be offering up delicious bites starting at 12pm! Saturday and Sunday will have different programs; so come to one or enjoy both programs with our special weekend pass. Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season – while supporting local businesses – with a weekend of uplifting music performed by our talented students and a few special guests!
These performances will be live and in-person, following all Covid procedures, on the Performing Arts Center’s East Lawn. Bring your chairs and blankets, grab some food, and enjoy the music!
PERFORMANCES:
Saturday, December 11 at 1:00 PM
Saturday, December 12 at 1:00 PM
(Local food trucks starting at 12pm both days)
LOCATION:
Performing Arts Center East Lawn. BYO Chairs/blankets. Face masks and social distancing required.
"The Mystery of Edwin Drood"
Featuring: VC Music Theatre Ensemble
Three Performances:
Friday, December 3 / 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 4 / 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 5 / 7:30 PM
VC Performing Arts Center
Outdoor Theatre
4700 Loma Vista Road
Ventura College presents Rupert Holmes’ musical THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, a hilarious whodunit murder mystery where the murderer is chosen nightly by audience vote. Based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished tale of obsessive love and betrayal, the story is presented as a show-within-a-show, as the Music Hall Royale - a delightfully loony Victorian theatre company - presents Dickens’ brooding mystery. Musical numbers include “Perfect Strangers,” “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead,” “Off To The Races” and “Moonfall.”
TICKETS:
General Admission - $15
Students/Seniors/Staff - $5
2020-2021 Performances
May Music Ensembles Concert
Friday, May 14 at 7:30PM
Featuring:
VC Chamber Orchestra & Chamber Music,
VC Chorus & Singers
& the VC Jazz Band
Ventura College presented its final Spring 2021 Music Ensembles Concert on Friday, May 14 at 7:30pm. Featured ensembles include the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Music Program (Ashley Walters & Nick Akdag, directors), the VC Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, director), and the Jazz Band (Bevan Manson, director).
SPAMALOT
April 22nd and 23rd at 5:30pm
The funniest show on earth is coming to Ventura College! Monty Python’s Tony Award-winning SPAMALOT, the outrageous musical comedy lovingly adapted from the film classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons you’ll be eating up SPAMALOT.
BOOK & LYRICS: Eric Idle
MUSIC: John Du Prez & Eric Idle
ADAPTATION: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
SPAMALOT is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.
APRIL CONCERT
Wednesday, April 14 at 7:30PM
Featuring: VC Symphony Orchestra, VC Chamber Music, VC Chorus & Singers
Ventura College presented its Spring 2021 Music Ensembles Concert on Wednesday, April 14 at 7:30pm as part of the Ventura College Diversity in Culture Festival. Featured ensembles included the Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music Program (Ashley Walters, director), and from the VC Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, director).
January 3 at 7:00PM
Angel's Bone
An Opera by Du Yun
A production of the Ventura College Opera/Music Theatre Program, featuring The Ventura College Chamber Orchestra (Dr. Ashley Walters, director) and the Ventura College Singers (Brent Wilson, director)
Angel's Bone is a bold operatic work that integrates vocal and instrumental elements by composer Du Yun and librettist Royce Vavrek in one act that follows the plight of two angels discovered on earth who are forced into spiritual and sexual slavery at the hands of a financially troubled couple.
CREDITS
Music by Du Yun
Libretto by Royce Vavrek
Brent Wilson – Director
Coleen Scott – Costume Design
Ashley Walters – Orchestra Director
Kacey Link – Voice Coach
Jamie Birkett – Lighting and Drone Operator
Brent Wilson – Video / Audio editing
CAST
Jadzia Winter – Mrs. X.E.
Reginald Whigham – Mr. X.E.
Hannah Luyet – Girl Angel
Seryozha La Porte – Boy Angel
Karra Kock – Purity
Gryphon Seveney – Customer X
Malia Mooney – TV Personality
Sarabeth Ingle – Fury
Featuring:
The Ventura College Singers
Brent Wilson, director
Mark Holmstrom, piano
Soprano
Olivia Bacon
Alexandra Calor
Karra Koch
Kyra Maal-King
Rebecca Lawson*
Jesstina Torres
Jadzia Winter
Alto
Eliya Frantz*
Karin McManus
Maya Mehrotra
Gryphon Seveney
Tenor
Seryozha La Porte
Anthony Rivera*
Daniel Smithson
Bass
Dylan Quayle
Neirin Winter
* Alumni Guest Artists
The Ventura College Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, director
Violin
Sophia Haldorf
Laura Liang
Brandon Martinez
Viola
Christine Lafevre
Natalie Lafevre
Joseph Parcher
Cello
Rebeckah Guevara
Lily Marquez
Ashley Walters**
Bass
Donovan Rutledge
Flute
Olivia Bacon
Oboe
Kimaree Gilad**
Jade Gilbert-Newcamp
Clarinet
Jim Sullivan*
Trumpet
Crista Guerrero Donovan
Dan Rosenboom*
Tuba
Luke Storm*
Percussion
Jordan Curcuruto*
Guitar
Scott Wolf**
* Guest Performer
** Faculty Performer
Special Thanks
Jamie Birkett
The La Porte Family
Coleen Scott
Zakk Silveira
The Winter Family
This opera was produced with support by Helen Yunker
December 13 at 2:45PM
Winter Music Ensembles Concert
Featuring The Ventura College Symphony Orchestra & Chamber Music Program (Dr. Ashley Walters, director) and the Ventura College Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, director)
PROGRAM
Norwegian Dance Op. 35, No. 2
By Edvard Grieg (1843 – 1907)
Performed and Arranged by:
Olivia Bacon, flute
Christian Arevalo, oboe
Emi Reisman, English horn
Symphony No. 1 in G minor ("Winter Daydreams")
Movement II: "Land of Mists" Adagio cantabile ma non tanto
By Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893)
Arranged by Joseph Parcher
Christian Arevalo, flute I/II
Christian Arevalo, oboe
Joseph Parcher, viola
José Espinosa, guitar
The Planets, Op. 32
Movement I: Mars: the Bringer of War
By Gustav Holst (1874 – 1934)
Adapted for percussion by Diego Lara
Percussion Ensemble Members:
Diego Lara
Logan Norton
Maritza Alejos
Additional Audio
Samuel Riggs
Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
From Elton John's The Lion King
Olivia Bacon, flute
Aseret Medina, French horn
JJ Cardenas, piano
Libertango
By Astor Piazzolla (1921 – 1992)
Arranged by Joe Poshek
José Espinoza, guitar I
Michael Purdy, guitar II
Justice Papuzza, guitar III
Johanna Gabbard, guitar IV
Ubi Caritas
By Michael John Trotta (b. 1978)
The Ventura College Chorus (Brent Wilson, director)
Mark Holmstrom, piano
Soprano: Deborah Delamore, Karra Koch,
Jesstina Torres, Alma Valenciano
Alto: Gwen Armstrong, Deanna Baxter,
Johanna Gabbard, Adalia Jimenez, Mayra Mehrotra
Tenor: Dylan Quade, Daniel Smithson
Bass: José Espinoza, Cameron Friend
By Lake Dunmore
By Lilac Atassi
The Ventura College Symphony Orchestra (Dr. Ashley Walters, director)
Violin:
Tarah Brown
Adrianna Hayes
Sophia Holdorf
Laura Liang
John Lyans
Brandon Martinez
Carlos Ozuna
Viola:
Isaac Kim
Jospeh Parcher
Yoav Vega
Cello:
Lily Marquez
Ashley Walters
Miriam Wu
Bass:
Donovan Rutledge
Horn:
Hayden Amendola
Trumpet:
Emilio Shuman
Low brass:
Luke Storm
Percussion:
Maritza Alejos
Diego Lara
Samuel Riggs
Sir Duke
By Stevie Wonder
Arranged by Paul Langford
The Ventura College Chorus (Brent Wilson, director)
Mark Holmstrom, piano
Soprano: Deborah Delamore, Karra Koch,
Jesstina Torres, Alma Valenciano
Alto: Gwen Armstrong, Deanna Baxter,
Johanna Gabbard, Adalia Jimenez, Mayra Mehrotra
Tenor: Dylan Quade, Daniel Smithson
Bass: José Espinoza, Cameron Friend
Glow
By Eric Whitacre
The Ventura College Singers (Brent Wilson, director)
Mark Holmstrom, piano
Soprano: Olivia Bacon, Alexandra Calor,
Karra Koch, Kyra Maal-King,
Jesstina Torres, Jadzia Winter
Alto: Karin McManus, Maya Mehrotra,
Gryphon Seveney
Tenor: Seryozha La Porte, Daniel Smithson
Bass: Dylan Quayle, Neirin Winter
German Dances, Euphrosina 19
By Erasmus Widman (1572 – 1634)
Arranged by Michael Purdy
Olivia Bacon, flute
JJ Cardenas, piano
Jay Lawton, flute
Michael Purdy, guitar
Dido’s Lament from Dido & Aeneas
By Henry Purcell
Arranged by Donovan Rutledge
Joseph Parcher, viola
Donovan Rutledge, bass
Richie Zaragoza, clarinet
Michael Purdy, guitar
Walking Tune
By Percy Grainger
Olivia Bacon, flute
Christian Arevalo, oboe
Anna Hayes, clarinet
Aseret Medina, horn
Nick Akdag, bassoon
A Town with an Ocean View
Theme from the film Kiki's Delivery Service
By Joe Hisaishi
Arranged by Isaac Kim
Viola:
Isaac Kim
Jospeh Parcher
Yoav Vega
Sonata Prima
Adagio & Andante
By Giovanni Buonaventura Viviani (c. 1638 – 1693)
Arranged by Michael Rondeau
VC Chamber Music (Dr. Ashley Walters, director)
Joseph Parcher, viola
Donovan Rutledge, bass
Jay Lawton, flute
Crista Guerrero Donovan, trumpet
JJ Cardenas, piano
Alex Curry, continuo
November 8 at 2:45PM
November Music Ensembles Concert
Featuring The Ventura College Chamber Music Program (Dr. Ashley Walters, director), The Ventura College Jazz Band (Bevan Manson, director) and the Ventura College Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, director)
PROGRAM
Traditional
Anna Hayes, clarinet
Nick Akdag*, bassoon
Justice Papuzza, guitar
“Requiem”
by Gabe Mangold
Justice Papuzza, guitar
Anna Hayes, clarinet
Piano Concerto No.23 In A Major, K 488
Movement II: Adagio
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
Aseret Medina, french horn
Johanna Gabbard, guitar
Alex Curry, piano
“La Vie en rose”
by Louis “Louiguy” Guglielmi (1916 – 1991)
Arr. Crista Guerrero-Donovan
Crista Guerrero-Donovan, trumpet
Donovan Rutledge, bass
Nick Akdag*, bassoon
“C Jam Blues”
by Duke Ellington (1899 – 1974)
Performed by The Ventura College Jazz Band
Bevan Manson, director
Carlos Puga, bass
Matt Jordan*, drums
Karen Jo Peralta, flute
Jacob Hernandez, saxophone
Michael Purdy, guitar
Jose Espinoza, mix
“Finlandia”
by Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957)
Performed by The Ventura College Orchestra Violin Section
Sophia Holdorf, violin
John Lyans, violin
Tarah Brown Gilson, violin
“The Nutcracker”, Op. 71, TH 14
Act 1: No. 2: March
by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893)
Hayden Amendola, horn
Emilio Shuman, trumpet
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Op. 21
Dance of the Clowns
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847)
Richie Zaragoza, clarinet
Gabriel Bacon, clarinet
Veronica Keigwin, editor
“Red Clay”
by Freddie Hubbard (1938 – 2008)
Performed by The Ventura College Jazz Band
Bevan Manson, director
Jose Espinoza, guitar
Crista Guerrero Donovan, horn
Carlos Puga, bass
Matt Jordan*, drums
Jose Espinoza, mix
Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano: III. Elegy
by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 – 1975)
Jay Lawton, flute
Crista Guerrero Donovan, trumpet
Alex Curry, piano
Overture to William Tell: Prelude
by Gioachino Rossini (1792 – 1868)
Arranged by Miriam Wu
Miriam Wu, cello I
Lily Marquez, cello II
Donovan Rutledge, bass
First Suite for Military Band, Op. 28, No. 1
Movement III: “March”
by Gustav Holst (1874 – 1934)
Transcribed for Four Violins
Laura Liang, violin I
Carlos Ozuna, violin II
Adrianna Hayes, violin III
Brandon Martinez, violin IV
Oboe Concerto in D minor, S D935
Movement II: Adagio
by Alessandro Marcello (1673 – 1747)
Performed by The Ventura College Chamber Ensemble
Christian Arevalo, oboe
Johanna Gabbard, guitar
Jose Espinoza, guitar
“Bumble Bee”
by The Real Group
Arr. Anders Edenroth
Performed by The Ventura College Singers
Brent Wilson, director
Mark Holmstrom, piano
Soprano: Alexandra Calor, Karra Koch, Kyra Maal-King, Jesstina Torres, Jadzia Winter
Alto: Olivia Bacon, Karin McManus
Tenor: Seryozha La Porte, Daniel Smithson, Neirin Winter
Bass: Dylan Quade
* = faculty/guest performer
Click here to watch this program on YouTube.
October 11 at 2:45PM
October Music Ensembles Concert
Featuring The Ventura College Chamber Orchestra (Dr. Ashley Walters, director), and the Ventura College Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, director)
PROGRAM
"Weep You No More"
by Douglas E. Wagner (b. 1952)
Performed by The Ventura College Chorus
Brent Wilson, Director
Weep you no more, sad fountains;What need you flow so fast?Look how the snowy mountainsHeaven's sun doth gently waste.But my sun's heavenly eyesView not your weeping,That now lies sleepingSoftly, now softly liesSleeping.Sleep is a reconciling,A rest that peace begets:Doth not the sun rise smilingWhen fair at even he sets?Rest you then, rest, sad eyes,Melt not in weeping,While she lies sleepingSoftly, now softly liesSleeping.
Sarhanna and Kashala
by Wadada Leo Smith (b. 1941)
Performed by The Ventura College Chamber Orchestra
Ashley Walters, director
When you discover something, you can never lose it because it becomes a part of you." – Wadada Leo Smith
"A Nightingale Sings in Berkeley Square"
Arr. Kirby Shaw
The Ventura College Singers
Brent Wilson, conductor
That certain night, the night we met,
There was magic abroad in the air,
There were angels dining at the Ritz,
And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.I may be right, I may be wrong,
But I'm perfectly willing to swear
That when you turned and smiled at me
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.The moon that lingered over London town,
Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown.
How could he know we two were so in love?
The whole darn world seemed upside downThe streets of town were paved with stars;
It was such a romantic affair.
And, as we kissed and said 'goodnight',
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
Click here to watch this program on YouTube.
JUNE 14 – 2:00 PM
"Labyrinth" by Gian Carlo Menotti
Featuring The Ventura College Opera & Musical Theatre Program
Students from The Ventura College Opera and Musical Theatre program perform Gian Carlo Menotti's opera Labyrinth in an innovative virtual performance, streamed on Facebook in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This performance marks the opera's first performance since its original airing on NBC in 1963. This production was originally planned to be presented live in March 2020.