By Siera Schubach, Staff Writer

Published in print Sept. 3, 2014

Dr. Kevin Geraldi is an Associate Professor at the UNCG School of Music, Theatre and Dance. He is the Director of Orchestras in the school of music and oversees all orchestral programs, conducts the UNCG Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra. A distinguished musician and conductor, Dr. Geraldi has been the recipient of the prestigious Thelma A. Robinson Award and is a member of the Conductor’s Guild. Passionate about music and teaching, Dr. Geraldi is part of the artistic team behind this years UNCG Collage concert.

SS: What is Collage? How long has it been part of UNCG and who takes part in it?

KG: Collage is a very special concert, one that is totally unique and unlike any other performance.  We’ve done Collage annually since Aycock Auditorium reopened in 2008.  It started as music-only, but now virtually every aspect of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance will be featured, with student and faculty performers in large and small groups. 

That allows an unbelievable variety of experiences for the audience – from classical music, to jazz, to dance, to spoken word, vocal music, instrumental music, quiet pieces, loud pieces – you name it, it’ll be on there. 

All of the performances take place seamlessly, all around the auditorium, with no pause in between.  The lighting is specially designed for each piece, so once the program begins it is a non-stop experience until the end of each half.

SS: Can you tell me about this years theme, Shakespeare and Galileo?

KG: The entire University community (lead by the SMTD, College of Arts and Sciences, and Honors College) has put together a year-long celebration of the 450th anniversary of the birth of Shakespeare and Galileo. 

There are a ton of amazing events, classes, performances, films, and presentations that will surround this theme.  Collage is the kick-off to the entire thing, and nearly every piece on the program will make a nod to either Shakespeare or Galileo in some way. 

Some are direct (music featuring Shakespeare’s words, or music composed by Galileo’s father, for instance), some more indirect (music from [Gustav] Holst’s The Planets to acknowledge Galileo’s scientific discoveries), but it will be a sampling of what is to come for the entire University this year.

SS: In your opinion, what makes Collage such a unique event at UNCG?

KG: Collage is unique in that students and faculty perform in a fast-paced setting with special effects unlike anything else they get to do.  It’s extremely exciting.  We have been sold-out for the past 3 years, and are on track for another sell-out this year. 

SS: What is your favorite part of Collage?

KG: Personally, my favorite part is watching the huge crowd come streaming into the auditorium, and listening to them talk about what experiences might be in store for them this time.

SS: What is your personal contribution going to be to Collage this year?

KG: Along with Dr. Carole Ott, I organize the entire program.  That includes everything from the advertising and ticket arrangements, to the planning of the music that is performed, to the logistics of how the performance will actually take place.  It’s a huge job.

SS: And lastly, is there anything else you would like students to know about Collage or the School of Music?

All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the Collage Scholarship Fund, to support student scholarships in the SMTD. Student tickets are extremely inexpensive, and are available at two campus Box Office locations, but they are going fast!  The box office details are:

Music Building Box Office

Tuesday – Friday:  12-1 p.m. , and 5-6 p.m.

Brown Building Box Office

Tuesday – Friday:  11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Student tickets are $5 or $9.  (We’ve already sold out of the tickets in the $14 student price tier.)

The concert will take place on Sept 6th at 7:30pm in Aycock Auditorium.

For more information visit http://performingarts.uncg.edu/collage.