Student ensemble

Student ensemble
Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music is forming Studio Ensemble 2006.
The Studio Ensemble group will be led by music producer Rande Isabella of Nashville, Tenn., and will include a rhythm section, horn section and male and female vocalists. The group will play blues, rock, soul, funk, Latin, gospel and country music.
Auditions for Studio Ensemble 2006 are now in process. Singers, guitarists, bassists, keyboardists, drummers, horn players and engineers are encouraged to audition. A sign-up sheet will be on the door of room 2222 in Bliss Hall.
Songs will be recorded at Dana School of Music's new digital recording studio, and later performed on stage by the student group. The ensemble will perform songs by classic artists such as Toto; Steely Dan; Deep Purple; Earth, Wind and Fire; Sting and Tower of Power as well as current artists Alicia Keys, Gretchen Wilson and Usher.
"There are several elements which make this ensemble unique among college music ensembles," Isabella said. "First, students are required to learn the 'standards' of popular music -- those songs most often requested by the public. We then select highly musical songs from a variety of popular music genres to rehearse and record. During the spring semester, the ensemble releases a CD and takes to the road, as it were, performing at area schools and events, while focusing on modern stage technique."
Studio Ensemble 2006 prepares music students for careers as professional musicians and singers by providing experience in studio recording and stage performance.
Music and Meatballs
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Westminster College's annual Music and Meatballs returns Oct. 7 at the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. Sittings are at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.
This year's theme is New York Jazz Club and features a spaghetti dinner with homemade sausage and dessert, according to Dr. Robert Lind, director of choral activities.
Adult tickets are $10; senior citizens, children and students are $5. Call the music office at (724) 946-7270 for information. Tickets will be available at the door.
Flatley returns
PITTSBURGH -- "Celtic Tiger" featuring Michael Flatley will come to Mellon Arena on Nov. 11. Reserved tickets are $75, $55 and $35 and go on sale Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.
Less than five years ago, world-famous Irish-American dancer Flatley hung up his dancing shoes at the height of his career after having completed "Feet of Flames" in 2001. After winning over millions of fans across the globe with dance sensations "River Dance" and "Lord of the Dance," Flatley is returning with "Celtic Tiger" as creator and star of the show.