The Musical Arts Program At TU
Tiffin University’s Musical Arts Program has a variety of performance opportunities available for our students. We believe in “making it real and making it relevant.” We also offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for our performers!
Where to Find More InformationCheck out the links below for more information about:
Theatre Arts
Tiffin University offers students the opportunity to learn, demonstrate their talent, and become a part of its growing theatre program. With two main stage productions a year, students can learn or refine artistic skills in acting, stage managing, set constructing, set décor, sound effects, special effects, costumes, tickets, advertisement, or refreshments, to name a few. By enrolling in theatre classes or by contacting Dr. Mary Grennen, Director of Theatre Arts, students can become part of a close-knit team dedicated to producing lively and polished productions by such playwrights as Neil Simon, Noel Coward, Pat Cook, and A.R. Gurney. Students get hands-on experience, earn class or co-curricular credit, make new friends, and reap the rewards of bringing excellent productions to fruition.
About the Directors...
Dr. Mary V. Grennen holds a PhD in Dramatic Literature, Theory & Criticism, and has been teaching at the college level for sixteen years. Her directing credits include The Dixie Swim Club, Blithe Spirit, Rumors, A Trip to Czardis, Plaza Suite, Bathroom Humor, The Money in Uncle George's Suitcase, Everybody's Doing It, and To Bobolink, for Her Spirit. Her acting experience at the Lincoln Center campus of Fordham University includes A Midsummer Night's Dream, Jack or the Submission, Fashion, The Three Sisters, The Beggar's Opera, The Children's Hour, Icarus' Mother, A Perfect Analysis Given by a Parrot, Not Enough Rope, Postcards, Electra, Why Hanna's Skirt Won't Stay Down, and Action. She has also been involved in productions of Shenandoah, Hello, Dolly, I Hate Hamlet, The Boys Next Door, Tea and Sympathy, Dial 'M' for Murder, Two By Two, and How the Other Half Loves. She appeared in two off-Broadway productions, and as a musician has played in the orchestra pit for productions of Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Robber Bridegroom. Contact info: grennenmv@tiffin.edu or 419.448.3376. Joseph S. Knipe has been involved actively in the theatre for more than 35 years as an actor, director, set designer, builder and makeup artist. His acting experience includes roles in West Side Story, South Pacific, Hot L Baltimore, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Boys Next Door, and others. He has directed both children and adults in productions that include How the Other Half Lives, The Littlest Angel, Private Lives, and The Elves and the Shoemaker. Mr. Knipe has lit up many community and college stages with intricate and creative set designs, and has years of experience teaching the art of stagecraft to young thespians. His design credits include Plaza Suite, Fried Green Tomatoes, Gypsy, and others. Mr. Knipe directed the November 2007 Tiffin University production of Love Letters.
Music Festivals
Tiffin University is proud to present its eleventh annual jazz and vocal festivals. These events bring together high school, college, professional and amateur singers and instrumentalists in a week of activities that celebrate jazz, rock, blues, soul, and other popular musical styles. The educational festival is held at Tiffin's historic Ritz Theatre, and on the Tiffin University campus. The festival features performances by high school and college jazz bands/combos, vocal jazz ensembles, show choirs, and vocal chamber ensembles, on two consecutive Fridays in April, with each day culminating with a concert by our outstanding guest artists.
For more information or registration material, call 419.448.3366 or email sing@tiffin.edu or gig@tiffin.edu.
The Ohio Jazz Summit -- Friday, April 4, 2008
Tiffin University and the Ritz Theatre partner in bringing Chris Brubeck and Triple Play to Tiffin for the Ohio Jazz Summit. "Triple Play" is comprised of three outstanding and versatile musicians, Peter "Madcat" Ruth (on harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion and vocals), Joel Brown (folk and classical acoustic guitar and vocals) and Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano and vocals). Collectively they bring a rare level of joy, virtuosity, and American spirit to the folk, blues, jazz, funk and classical music they perform. The LA Times says, "Triple Play was rollicking good fun… led by bassist, trombonist and pianist Chris Brubeck, the trio stole the show with its flair and virtuosity." Student Jazz Bands
Friday, April 4, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ritz Theatre
FREE
In Concert: Chris Brubeck and Triple Play
also featuring TU's Rock-Jazz Combo Front Street
Friday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.
The Ritz Theatre
Tickets: 419.448.8544
 The Ohio Vocal Summit -- Friday, April 11, 2008
Tiffin University is proud to bring back the phenomenal a cappella band InPulse to headline this year's festival. Since 2003 InPulse has been hailed as one of the most celebrated groups in a cappella history, breaking away from traditional conventions to define the term "vocal band." Having trained at world-renowned St. Olaf College, the group's high standards for vocal technique, execution, and musical integrity have won them numerous awards. InPulse also endeavors to advance the art of a cappella and vocal music through the education of young singers, striving to make students aware of the joy of singing by using proven classical techniques, while making it fun and comfortable to sing in any style. The group strives to tap into the creative energy of young people in an informative, imaginative, and inspirational way to encourage them to always be involved in music. InPulse will also serve as educator-clinicians throughout the day's activites. Student Vocal Ensembles
Friday, April 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ritz Theatre
FREE
In Concert: InPulse
also featuring Tiffin University's Up in the Air
Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
The Ritz Theatre
Tickets: 419.448.8544
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Up in the Air Tiffin University's Up in the Air is a dynamic vocal group that performs an eclectic repertoire of a cappella jazz, funk, r&b, pop, and world music. The group performs extensively, having appeared before hundreds of audiences throughout the nation and in Europe. Up in the Air has performed with Kim Nazarian, M-PACT, Voice Trek, the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, Dee Dee Bridgewater, the New York Voices and Rockapella's Sean Altman, who calls the group, "one of the best collegiate groups around!" The group has released three CDs, and has performed and recorded a variety of original compositions and arrangements by its members and director Brad Rees. Please visit Up in the Air's websites at www.upintheair.us and www.myspace.com/acappellanolimits. Front Street The TU touring combo Front Street performs an eclectic mix of all original jazz, pop, classical and world beat arrangements, in concerts on campus, in the community, and on tour to high schools throughout the region. The combo is open by audition to select auditioned members of the TU Bands. Front Street spends two weeks each year in the campus recording studio working on original projects for CD release. The group is directed by Christian Secrist. Please visit Front Street's websites at www.frontstreetmusic.us and www.myspace.com/tiffinfrontstreetThe University Choir The University Choir performs a wide variety of choral literature, from Renaissance motets to Romantic works, contemporary pieces, world music, gospel music, and spirituals. The 50-member ensemble performs on- and off-campus throughout the academic year. The University Choir meets three hours each week, and is open to all Tiffin University students without audition. The choir is conducted by Brad Rees.
Marching Band The University Marching Band performs at all home football games and several marching band festivals each year. The band's unique style combines traditional marching shows and more creative presentations of contemporary pop, rock, soul, r&b and funk genres. The band performs annually at regional marching band festivals and professional sporting events. The band rehearses four times weekly throughout the TU football season, and is open to all TU students with instrumental experience. The band is directed by Christian Secrist.
Higher Ground Tiffin University's all-female vocal ensemble, Higher Ground, performs an eclectic repertoire of a cappella music, with emphasis on all-original arrangements of current pop, rock and r&b songs. These eight women present public performances each year both off campus and around the community. For more information, and a current calendar of performances, please visit Higher Ground's myspace page.
Concert Band The Concert Band is open to all wind, brass and percussion players, and performs a variety of classical and pops literature in concerts on campus and in the community. The band presents an annual Holiday Concert in conjunction with the University Choir, and is comprised of members of the marching and pep bands. The band rehearses 3 hours each week beginning the latter half of the Fall semester. The band is conducted by Christian Secrist.
Pep Band The Dragon Pep Band performs at all home basketball games each season, and plays a fun mix of standard athletic band repertoire combined with original eclectic arrangements. The band carries on the spirit of the Dragon Marching Band indoors during the dreary grayness of Ohio winters. The band rehearses two to four times weekly, and is open to all TU students with instrumental experience. The band is directed by Christian Secrist.
Photo: TU Band Afterthought performs live
Elsewhere & Afterthought Tiffin University's newest touring rock bans plays a variety of original and cover tunes, and maintain an active schedule of performances around the region.
Gospel ChoirThe Gospel Choir was formed in 1998 as the University's first student-directed group, and has quickly become an integral part of the Tiffin University campus community. The Gospel Choir performs contemporary gospel music in performances on campus and at churches and schools around the area, accompanied by a 5-piece band. The Gospel Choir is open to all students without audition.
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