The Ashland University department of music is releasing its spring schedule of events, filling the air with melodies for music lovers of all genres from opera to pop, where hundreds of AU students come together to create beautiful music for members of the community to enjoy.

There is no shortage of musicians on this campus, including AU faculty, students, community members and guest artists traveling to Ashland to perform.

Tricia Applegate, AU’s Performing Arts Events Coordinator, says that students from all majors contribute to creating a unique and cohesive spring program.

“In almost all of our concerts, the main performers are Ashland University students,” said Applegate.

With such an incredible variety of events, students should be able to find a concert in the spring schedule that stimulates his or her interests.

Surround Sound, a student led A cappella group, mainly sings covers of contemporary pop music.

Scott Garlock has carefully selected some excellent jazz artists to perform in the Maplerock Jazz Festival Concert coming up this March.

“Garlock, who is the director of the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra is also a practicing professional musician so he knows a lot of other professional jazz musicians and selects some really top notch guest artists to come perform during the Jazz Festival,” said Applegate.

Applegate, however, says she is especially excited about the Evenings of Opera Scenes this April.

“The Opera Scenes, which are usually performed in the recital hall are now having a new guest director stage them in the AU studio theatre, which is something new and different this year,” said Applegate.

Students from the theater department will also be working with students and faculty from the music department to create an amazing atmosphere for the Gilbert and Sullivan performances.

“It’s probably going to have more of a theatrical feel to it this year than it has in the past,” said Applegate.

Attending a concert can result in hearing the melody of an unfamiliar instrument or listening to a fellow AU student belt out a new and captivating song. Junior and senior music majors will be demonstrating their talents at their own personal recitals, which will reflect all of the hard work they have put in over the past few years.

Applegate encourages students to attend the events and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy free live entertainment locally.

“Most events are free and open to the public,” said Applegate. “It’s remarkable how far these students come in their four years here. They really do put in an incredible amount of work.”

Pick up a hard copy of the spring schedule of events at the AU box office and hang it on the fridge, or visit www.ashlanduniversity.edu/music to download the schedule at home. Instead of watching another re-run episode of Friends, circle an event or two to attend and find out what a euphonium sounds like.