Collaborative Musical Performance Marks Redfern's 40th Anniversary Celebration

There is nothing like a milestone to give magnitude to a moment.

But that is what a 40th anniversary celebration did Friday, March 25, at Keene State College as students, faculty, alumni, and members of the community joined performance talents in recognition of a longstanding tradition of excellence.

Held in Redfern’s Main Theatre, PRISM: Music Alumni Showcase featured not only a full and diverse array of individual talent, but also the Keene Jazz Orchestra directed by Steve Cady.

As part of the evening, the college Music Department welcomed back retired and faculty emeriti for the 2022 Outstanding Alumni Recognition Award. This year’s recipient, the 13th since the award began, was Ted Mann ’78, a Lecturer in Music at Keene State with a distinguished career in guitar performance, composition, music history and theory, and online education.

Inaugurated in 1981 with the goal of providing artistic encounters for the campus and the community, the Arts Center bears the name of Dr. Leo F. Redfern, the college’s president from 1969 to 1979. Dr. Redfern’s vision, commitment, and eloquence on behalf of the arts made funding and construction of the facility a reality.

The PRISM event featured alumni soloists in addition to four world premieres composed by Keene State music alumni. The Keene Jazz Orchestra premiered Chris Robinson’s (Class of ’12) Delonix and Steve Cady’s (Class of ’02) arrangement of Rosetta. Miriam Sharrock’s (Class of ’14) Ode to 178, for oboe and piano, was premiered by Jim and Cheryl Sharrock. Jordan Chase’s (Class of ’14) In Realms of Passing Dreams for solo amplified guitar was performed for the first time by David Ross (Class of ’06).

The evening culminated with a collaboration of the Keene State Concert Band, Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and alumni performers presenting excerpts from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.

The Redfern is once again welcoming students, staff and eventgoers from the community to in-person shows, while maintaining an online streaming option.

Upcoming Redfern events include:

• Ensemble Recital Series: KSC Guitar Orchestra on Wednesday, April 6, from 7:30 to 8 p.m. The Guitar Orchestra, which has performed at Quito’s prestigious “Casa de la Musica” concert hall and on a tour of Northern Ecuadorean Universities, is open by audition to students, staff, and community members.

• An Evening of Dance for a three-day run starting Thursday, April 14, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. In its 47th season, “Evening of Dance” presents original choreographed works by students, faculty, and guest artists. This spring performance tradition reinvents dance through a breadth of contemporary perspectives. This year’s extravaganza includes faculty premieres by Cynthia McLaughlin and Molly Fletcher, as well as Keene State College students.

Tickets go on sale two weeks prior to performances. Masks are required for in-person attendance and patrons will be appropriately distanced for everyone’s safety during the shows. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.keene.edu/arts/redfern/