Mansfield University Jazz Ensemble and the Mansfieldians to Perform

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Thursdays at the Rialto is wrapping up a successful season with Mansfield University Mansfieldians and Jazz Ensemble.  Don’t miss this fantastic concert organized by the Rialto Advisory Committee at the Rialto Theatre on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 7 pm. Tickets are only $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.  To purchase tickets please contact the Rialto Theatre during operational hours or the Canton Independent Sentinel.

The Mansfieldians and the MU Jazz Ensemble have collaborated on three jazz CDs – Hourglass; Smack Dab in the Middle and Cease & Desist.  In addition, they make annual tours which have taken them throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania and much of New York, Vermont, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and New Jersey. 2012 marked their first combined international trip where they presented clinics and concerts in Scotland and England.  They also host annual MU Jazz Festivals.  Vocal guest artists have included Peter Eldridge, Phil Mattson, Michele Weir, Groove for Thought, Voice Trek, NY Voices, Vocalogy and internationally acclaimed artists The Real Group while instrumental jazz artists who have been featured include Lew Soloff, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Bill Watrous, Kenny Warner, DIVA, Clay Jenkins, Kim Richmond, Andre Canniere, the John Fedchock NY Sextet and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

The Mansfieldians are a select ensemble of eight singers, under the direction of Dr. Sheryl Monkelien, who specialize in vocal jazz repertoire.  This exceptional ensemble has been invited to perform at ACDA and MENC Division and PMEA State Conferences.  The Mansfieldians have performed at numerous festivals, state and regional, national and international conferences including the Tenth Annual Vocal Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall with guest conductor Phil Mattson (2006); the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria (2008) where they were named World Champions in the Jazz Vocal A Capella category; the Eastern Division ACDA Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2010); the ACDA National Conference in Dallas, Texas (2013) the New York City Jazz Festival at the Apollo Theatre (2015) and in 2018 performed again at the Apollo Theatre with the Real Group.

The Mansfieldians (above) are Brady Bennett, Ben Eisenhour, Robert Flora, Rachel Lehman, Veronica Phillip, Victoria Royal, Nathan Shedd and Tayana Woodton.

Don’t miss this award winning group…purchase your tickets now.  Proceeds raised through the Thursdays at the Rialto Series help ensure the preservation of the Rialto Theatre.

The Rialto Theatre is part of the BCRAC Team of Theatres. Built as the Crawford Theatre in 1912 and renamed the Rialto in the early 1930’s, Canton’s Rialto Theatre underwent a wonderful rebirth in 1994-1995. The BCRAC reopened the Rialto in December of 1994. For more information, visit BCRAC online at www.bcrac.org or www.facebook.com/BCRAC.

About the Bradford County Regional Arts Council: Established in 1976, the BCRAC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and supporting a thriving regional arts community by advocating for the Arts, cultivating quality arts programming and preserving Bradford County’s historic theatres as venues for performances, community events and movies.  For more information, visit BCRAC online at www.bcrac.org or www.facebook.com/BCRAC.

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