Conservatory From CSULB Hosts Festival

By Shereen Oca
Staff Writer

The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach, is celebrating its creation with an inaugural festival starting May 2; concerts will take place at various venues throughout the CSULB campus through May 12.

In March, the university announced a $16.4 million gift from the Bob Cole Trust, making it the largest donation in university history, officials said. Bob Cole, who died in 2004, was a prominent real estate entrepreneur and music lover.

Two award-winning ensembles, Pacific Standard Time and Jazz and Tonic, will sing at the festival’s first performance, the Vocal Jazz Concert. Directed by Christine Guter, it begins at 8 p.m., Friday, May 2, at University Theatre.

The Caribbean Extravaganza, which has shows at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at University Theatre, will feature Calypso, Soca, Reggae and Salsa from a 30-member steel drum orchestra. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for seniors, students and staff.

The Opera Institute fans will offer Ariapalooza!, an opera and art song showcase. It starts at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 4, at the Gerald R. Daniel Recital Hall.

The Rob Cox Ensemble will play 30 one-minute works composed by CSULB students at the Composer’s Guild, 8 p.m. Monday, May 5, at the Gerald R. Daniel Recital Hall.

The University Symphony Concert will include works from Ottorino Respighi, Emmanuel Chabrier and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky at 4:30 p.m. Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, at the Carpenter Center.

A concert band consisting of more than 200 players and singers will wrap up the series with fanfare at the Cole Conservatory Festival Gala, 7 p.m., Monday, May 12, at the Carpenter Center. Admission is free, however, reservations are required.

Unless otherwise noted, tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for seniors and CSULB students and staff.

Sixteen performances by students, faculty and guests will span the 10-day event. CSULB is at 1250 Bellflower Blvd. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 985-1000 or visit www.csulb.edu/coleconservatory.