UNews - Bente Hansen

Bente Hansen and Jesse Plessis collaborate to present Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band arrangement

trevor.kenney — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 17:57:48 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is ready to have a little fun in celebration of is 50th anniversary, with two accomplished music graduates taking centre stage.

On Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre, the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Office of Alumni Relations, presents Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, a special night of history and music – Beatles’-style – featuring alumna and music instructor Bente Hansen (BMus ’86) and alumnus Jesse Plessis (BMus ’10).

While 1967 is well known as the birth of the U of L, it is also the year the Beatles released their iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Their eighth studio album, it is widely considered the first concept album in music history and changed the sound and face of popular music forever. Hansen and Plessis will present a two-piano arrangement of the complete album that Plessis crafted in 2011.

“We’re both classically trained pianists and we also love rock and roll music, so to have a chance to collaborate on something as classic as this is a real treat,” says Hansen, who has been teaching at the U of L since 1997. She currently teaches first-year music theory and was behind the establishment of a History of Rock ‘n’ Roll course that remains one of the most popular classes the U of L offers.

Plessis studied piano at the U of L with Dr. Deanna Oye and composition with Drs. Rolf Boon and Arlan Schultz. He has appeared on stages across Canada, England and continental Europe, received numerous awards both in piano and composition and regularly performs as a guest artist with several ensembles in Canada. He currently resides in Montréal where he studies with Paul Stewart of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Montréal.

“It’s exciting for us to be able to pair Bente and Jesse on stage again because they have such an incredible chemistry,” says Faculty of Fine Arts Dean Dr. Edward Jurkowski. “They are both wonderful pianists and have been performing together for eight years. I expect the audience will be swept up in their energy.”

The arrangement crafted by Plessis closely follows the format of the album. The track listing is the same and he and Hansen move from song to song seamlessly. Plessis has expertly explored ways to express the meaning and feeling of the Beatles’ lyrics through the piano, capturing the essence of the songs and complementing the album.

“We’re very proud to feature two of our exceptional alumni,” says Lyndsay Montina (BMgt ’09), manager of Alumni Relations. “The classical training they received as students here at the U of L set them off on different but complementary career paths and I know they are thrilled to continue to showcase their talents to the southern Alberta community.”

Tickets for the event are $30 each and include a reception and optional backstage tours. Tickets are available at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (Monday to Friday, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.), by calling 403-329-2616 or online at ulethbridge.ca/tickets.

Events - June 2011

trevor.kenney — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:42:23 +0000

Lectures

June 14 | Wellness Lunch and Learn: Edible and Sustainable Gardening and Landscaping | Jason Baranec and Julia Mitchell (Southern Alberta Permaculture) present tips on positive solutions for a sustainable future. | Noon to 1 p.m., Andy's Place (AH100)

June 22 | International Year of Chemistry Guest Speaker: Dr. Pierre Beaumier Your Health and Your Hair – Hair analysis through screening for essential minerals and toxic elements | 7 p.m., PE250

Performances

June 20 | Sommernacht
Piano duo Bente Hansen and Jesse Plessis present music for two and four hands by Schubert, Corigliano, Brahms, Plessis, Chopin, and The Beatles. | 7 p.m., Lethbridge Public Library

Miscellaneous

June 17 | Doug Parker Retirement Reception | Join Facilities management and staff in offering best wishes to Doug Parker, Executive Director on his upcoming retirement.
2:30 to 5 p.m., Markin Hall Atrium

Hair promises a multi-sensory experience

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:09:29 +0000

Step back into the 1960s! The music, the passion, the era comes to life, Feb. 9-13 when Hair, a cultural phenomenon that defined a generation, appears in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre.

This colourful rock musical is presented nightly at 8 p.m. on Feb. 9-11 and 13. On Feb. 12 there are performances at 7 p.m. and midnight.

Set in New York City, a tribe of longhaired hippies celebrates their pacifist bohemian lifestyle, vehemently condemning the Vietnam War and embracing the sexual revolution. Through dance and song, Hair exposes the fervor of a contentious era.

"Although this musical is 40-years-old, its themes are still relevant," says choreographer Lisa Doolittle. "Recently revived on Broadway, Hair has a reputation for being controversial, but remains significant today with our consciousness of war and ecological awareness. Hair is about protest and about youth taking over the world. The main plot is about war – for a musical, the theme is sobering, but sends a message of optimism."

The production includes more than 50 musical numbers, each choreographed by Doolittle and directed by drama faculty colleague, Gail Hanrahan.

"The music ranges from doo-wop, to mop-top British rock and psychedelic rock. The choreography has been so much fun to research – to incorporate the different dance styles," says Doolittle.

Music Director Bente Hansen conducts the live 14-piece rock band complete with horns, guitars and keyboards.

"Hair is truly a multi-sensory extravaganza, from the hippie-style sets designed by Jim Wills, to the incredible costumes, designed by Leslie Robison-Greene," says Doolittle. "Based on the way the roof comes off the studio during rehearsals, this show will be high energy and unforgettable."

Hair contains mature content and themes.

Tickets for Hair are available for $15 regular and $10 student/senior at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Box Office (403-329-2616).

UNews - Bente Hansen

Bente Hansen and Jesse Plessis collaborate to present Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band arrangement

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Events - June 2011

Related Topics

Hair promises a multi-sensory experience

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