University of Northern Colorado Symphony Orchestra with Edward W. Hardy at UNC Campus Commons Performance Hall

As winner of the 2022 UNC Concerto Competition, violinist Edward W. Hardy will perform Pablo de Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20, with the University of Northern Colorado Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Andrés Felipe Jaime. This concert will take place at UNC's Campus Commons Performance Hall, and began at 7:30 pm. 

Program

Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759, Franz Schubert

Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20, Pablo de Sarasate

Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88, Antonín Dvořák

Edward W. Hardy is a critically acclaimed Black and Puerto Rican composer, music director, virtuoso violinist and violist and is one of the foremost exponents of solo violin repertoire for theatrical productions. At the age of 25, “Hardy [was] one of the youngest composers to ever be accepted into the Exploring the Metropolis Con Edison Composer Residency and one of the most prominent composer/ violinists in New York City” (Broadway World). As the composer, music director and violinist of the smash hit Off-Broadway show “The Woodsman”, Hardy’s show was a recipient of the 2016 Obie Award, the 2014 Jim Henson Foundation Grant and was broadcast on PBS stations four separate times. Hardy is also the founder of the Omnipresent Music Festival and co-founder of the Northern Colorado Center for Arts Entrepreneurship. Edward is currently a doctoral candidate and graduate instructor in violin performance at the University of Northern Colorado. Over the past decade, he held violin teaching/ performing residencies and, as a visiting artist, gave masterclasses and lectures at numerous music programs and universities spanning New York City to Los Angeles, California. Edward holds a Master of Music degree in violin performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music and, for the past two decades, has performed as a soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician throughout the United States. In 2023, Hardy completed a United States tour with the Griot String Quartet in Damien Sneed's “Our Song, Our Story”, which is an evening of operatic arias, art songs and spirituals featuring Met Opera singers Justin Austin, Jacqueline Echols, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Janinah Burnett, Amanda Lynn Bottoms and Raven McMillon, accompanied by Sneed on piano. Currently, Hardy's discography contains 8 singles, 1 album, and his list of original compositions include works for solo violin, voice, harp, piano, string quartet, string trio, string duo, Latin ensemble, and soundtracks for film and stage. Mr. Hardy has research in non-traditional string techniques and has premiered contemporary works that reflect the African American experience. 

 “Edward W. Hardy, who composed the omnipresent music, plays the violin superbly.” – The New York Times. 

For Hardy’s full biography: www.edwardwhardy.com/bio.

University Symphony Orchestra

The UNC Orchestra has been awarded “Best U.S. College Orchestra” in DownBeat magazine’s Annual Student Music Awards in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as "Best U.S. College Classical Ensemble" in 2010. The orchestra has also represented the U.S. in The International Cycle of University Orchestras in Zaragoza, Spain in 2003 and 2006.

PVA Signature Events are carefully crafted programs that highlight the skills of our students, faculty, and guests while connecting to seasonal themes and showing off a wide variety of styles and ensembles. Come see the whole breadth of our School of Music in Campus Commons Performance Hall!

Want to see more of the fantastic work that our music students create under the expert guidance of our faculty? Check out our additional Ensemble Concerts as well as our lineup of Student Recitals. Plus join us on Tuesdays at 6:30pm for our Faculty Recitals, which are master performances from our School of Music faculty. These are short programs designed by each faculty member to highlight their areas of interest and research, all for only $5 per ticket or $25 for the whole series!

For tickets visit https://bit.ly/UNCOrchestra-925