Polar Bear Day at the Freed Center

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009 All Day Free Event

As part of ONU's Polar Bear Nation Program, the Freed Center is delighted to present our own exciting and fun-packed day for children. Combining storytelling, art, music and theatre, children will have the opportunity to explore the world of the polar bear.

Polar Tots (ages 3-6) 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m.
*Story time and creative workshop

Polar Cubs (ages 7-12) 10:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
*Book reading and creative workshop

Polar Bears (13-young adult) 1 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
*Acting workshop with public performance at 7:30 p.m.
Stambaugh Studio Theatre (Please contact the box office for details.)

World premier of "Silent Snow"

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009
8 p.m - Presented in Biggs Theatre in the Freed Center

The ONU symphony performs the world premiere of a symphony by renowned composer Joseph Curiale commissioned in celebration of Polar Bear Nation as a reflection on the changing climate and the impact this has on the polar bear.

The Ohio Northern University Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the University Singers to present Mozart's Grand Mass in C minor. Much like his Requiem Mass, it is a mass he never completed. The Symphony Orchestra will also perform Schubert's beloved Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished."

*Pre-Show Discussion at 7:15 p.m.
Biggs Theatre Tickets - General $15; Child $9;
Senior/Non-ONU Student $12
Tickets go on sale Feb. 2, 2009

About Joseph Curiale

Joseph Curiale's career in film, television, and recording, began with writing for "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson from 1982 until the final show in 1993. His song, "Sick of the Blues" became the closing theme, and soon after he was signed as the first staff songwriter in Columbia Picture's history, signing an exclusive six-year contract which led to gold and platinum records for his work on the "Breakin'" soundtrack, as well as Vanessa Williams’ first recording. He has songs in films such as Steve Martin's, "Roxanne", "Summer School", "Quicksilver", "Little Nikita", and "Rockula". In television, his themes include the long running Emmy Award winning show, "Nick News", as well as "Ace Ventura Pet Detective", "The New Monkees", "Melba", "Yo Yogi", "Not Just News" and more. In the area of Musical Variety, he has orchestrated numerous TV Specials such as the "Tribute to Sammy Davis", which earned him an Emmy Award nomination in Musical Direction, as well as TV Specials honoring Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Quincy Jones, Richard Pryor, Muhammed Ali, the 1994 Emmy Awards, "Night of 100 Stars", "The Comedy Hall of Fame", and many Disney Specials including "Disney's Greatest Hits on Ice". His work as either composer or arranger has been recorded or performed by more than 100 artists ranging from Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson, to Kathleen Battle.

In the early 90's, although enjoying success in Hollywood, Joseph felt the time had come to explore Concert Music and in 1995 went to London to record "Gates of Gold" with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and in April of 1997 released his first CD entitled, "Awakening". Greatly encouraged by the support of National Public Radio and the continual requests of its listeners, “Joy” and “Gates of Gold” have become modern American standards, which inspired Joseph to complete a second CD entitled, "The Music of Life", which was released December of 2001. It features the London Symphony and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras as well as soloists from China and Japan. The recent re-release of the "Awakening" CD features a bonus track of "Blue Windows" performed by Doc Severinsen and Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, with the composer conducting.

Joseph was honored at the Hollywood Bowl in the 2001 concert, "A Celebration of TV Music" which featured a performance of "Gates of Gold Suite" in a segment honoring Hallmark Hall of Fame’s history, and was musical director, once again, for the sequel in 2004. He received a commission from the University of Wyoming and a Meet the Composer grant, resulting in the composition, "Wind River (I Am)" celebrating the New Millennium, and was Composer-In-Residence at the University of Wyoming, as well as the University of Minnesota Duluth (1998). In 2002 he received Artist fellowships at both The MacDowell Colony and The Ucross Foundation, and in 2006, the Kimmel Harding Center for the Arts, in Nebraska. In 2003 Joseph received the American Composers Forum/Phoenix Symphony commission to compose a multi-faceted work celebrating the cultural diversity of Phoenix. 2005 brought another American Composers Forum commission, and in 2006, the Arrangers Publishing Company release of a collection of the composer’s concert band arrangements from the music of the CDs “Awakening” and “The Music of Life”, in addition to the previously released and widely performed marching band show: “The Music of Joseph Curiale”. His music has also been featured in Drum Corp International World Championships in both 2005 and 2007.

A graduate of The University of Bridgeport, with a degree in Music Education in 1976, Mr. Curiale is also an author, poet, photographer, artist and educator. A deeply spiritual man, his works are recognized the world-over for their passion, beauty and sense of wonder. His music is heard regularly on NPR’s Classical programming as well as NPR’s Speaking of Faith. His first book, The Spirit of Creativity, released in the Spring 2006, is an insightful, passionate, and inspiring guide to exploring, unlocking, and honoring the creative spirit in everyone. It’s companion book of inspiring quotations, The Wisdom of Creativity, was released in the Fall of 2006. Joseph has spent most of 2006 and 2007 personally bringing relief to the widows and orphaned children affected by the mass of farmer suicides in India. Two documentary films have been done in honor of his humanitarian work. He was also chosen to be included in Who’s Who in America 2007.