Frazelle Music and Art Featured in New Dance

"April," a dance work choreographed by Brenda Daniels and set to Kenneth Frazelle's solo piano work, "Wildflowers," premiered at UNCSA's Spring Dance concert April 21-24 in Winston-Salem. Sets, designed by Elizbet Puksto, were inspired by Frazelle's watercolors. Pianist Owen Dodds provided live accompaniment. Choreographer Daniels said of her work: "'April’ is my own exploration of this very special time of the year. . . its joy, beauty, mystery and power. The dancers portray and embody exactly who they are — beautiful young people in the springtime of their lives." Photo copyright Rosalie O'Connor.

Songs and Piano Works at NC Museum of Art

An all-Frazelle concert! On May 3 mezzo soprano Kathryn Findlen and pianist Rick Rowley will perform selections from five of Kenneth Frazelle's song cycles and four of his solo piano works. The concert, at the North Carolina Museum of Art, is presented by the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild.

Organ Premiere at Westminster Abbey

Matthew Michael Brown will premiere Kenneth Frazelle's work for organ, Aria (with Diversions), at his December 7 recital at Westminster Abbey. Yes, that Westminster Abbey, where all the kings and poets are buried. Matthew might not draw the kind of crowd that turns up for a royal funeral, but he is bringing with him a large contingent from First United Methodist Church in Salisbury, where he is music director, as well as the entire organ department of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where Matthew received his bachelor of music degree. He received his masters degree at Eastman School of Music and served on the music staff of Grace Church in New York City. Aria (with Diversions) was commissioned by UNCSA with funds from the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts.

Ken on the Cover

Kenneth Frazelle's watercolor is the cover art for Joseph Mills's fifth collection of poetry, This Miraculous Turning, to be published in September by Press 53. (You can pre-order a signed copy now!) Joe teaches at the University of North Carolina School o the Arts, where he holds an endowed chair, the Susan Burress Wall Distinguished Professorship in the Humanities.

Tami Petty Wins Joy in Singing

Congratulations to soprano Tami Petty, 2014 Joy in Singing Award Artist Winner. At the prestigious competition's finals, held at the New York Performing Arts Library on April 2, Tami's program included selections from Kenneth Frazelle's Appalachian Songbook. Her awards from the competition include a recital at Merkin Concert Hall this fall.

Watercolor Show

The first public exhibition of Kenneth Frazelle's watercolors is up through March 29 at Inter_Section Gallery, 629 N. Trade Street, Winston-Salem, NC. You can see images of some of the works in the show, along with Barbara Lister-Sink's pastels, here. Other Frazelle watercolors are here. (Click on the image here to enlarge.)

Triple Concerto for Meadowmount


Kenneth Frazelle's new Triple Concerto, commissioned by the renowned Meadowmount School of Music in Westport, NY, was premiered by the Meadowmount String Orchestra at the school's 70th Anniversary Gala on August 4. Soloists were the esteemed Meadowmount alumni James Ehnes, violin, and Robert deMaine, cello, along with Meadowmount director, Eric Larsen, piano.James Albritten conducted.