Join us as Dr. Markward continues his ever-popular series with “Charles Ives: An American Icon, Lately Discovered”
Virtual Lecture via Crowdcast
Free
Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2022- 6:00pm to 7:00 pm
To Register Click Here
Generously sponsored by the Jarzombek Family: Mark Jarzombek and Michelle Drum
About Dr. Markward:
Edward Markward has enjoyed a distinguished and varied career as a conductor and educator since joining the faculty of Rhode Island College in 1973. Upon his recent retirement as Music Director of the Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra, after serving that organization for 32 years, he was named its first Conductor laureate. Guest conducting engagements have included the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Oratorio Choir, the Newport Music Festival, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brooklyn Heights Symphony Orchestra, Festival Ballet Providence, Montpelier (VT) Chamber Orchestra Society, Newport’s Island Moving Company and the Perrysburg (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra. Markward has served as Music Director for the Bel Canto Opera Company, Music Director/Conductor for Opera Rhode Island, Associate Conductor of the Providence Opera Theater, principal guest conductor for the Brooklyn Heights Symphony, and was founding conductor of the Festival Chamber Orchestra of Rhode Island. Prior to his Rhode Island appointments, he was Music Director/Conductor of the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers and Chamber Orchestra and Musical Director for the Ann Arbor Civic Theater in Michigan. He has received numerous accolades, both from colleagues and the press. Composer Paul Cooper called him”...a miracle worker;” while Elie Siegmeister stated, “the world should get around to discovering him.” Richard Cumming referred to him as a “musical alchemist.” According to the Providence Journal-Bulletin, “Edward Markward led a musical performance that possessed subtleties, a fine beat and generous fizz,” and “...a reading that provided nuance, steady organization and a remarkable feeling for style.” The Providence Journal also described Markward as, “a pillar of the music community.” James Lowe of the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus wrote recently of Markward’s guest appearance, “In fact, the entire performance was a most satisfying and powerful experience.” He has collaborated with such international artists as Maria Spacagna, Dominic Cossa, Enrico di Giuseppi, Gary Glaze and Cynthia Munzer (all of the Metropolitan Opera) as well as Joseph Silverstein, Walter Trampler, Samuel Baron, Michael Boriskin, Arturo Delmoni, Frederick Moyer, Patricia McCarty and Eric Ruske. Markward also served for seven years as Conductor for Festival Ballet Rhode Island. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Rhode Island College Alumni Association Outstanding Faculty Award, the Rhode Island Choral Directors Association’s first Outstanding Conductor Award, and the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra’s first President’s Award. He is the recipient of the 2006 Martha & Ronald Ballinger Distinguished and Sustained Scholarship and Creativity Award given by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Rhode Island College. He received bachelor and master’s degrees from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and the DMA degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His chief mentor was Maestro Gustav Meier, and he attended master classes given by Maestros Erich Leinsdorf, Andre Previn, Seiji Ozawa and Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Center. Markward served as music consultant to Arlene Croce, former dance critic of The New Yorker Magazine, whose biography of George Balanchine, founding choreographer of the New York City Ballet will be released soon. He is now in his third season as Conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of Barrington at St. John’s. Upon his retirement from Rhode Island College in June of 2013, Markward was named Professor Emeritus of Music. He served that institution as a faculty member for forty years in positions which included Orchestra Conductor, Director of Choral Activities, Director of the Opera Workshop and Professor of Conducting. For the past three years he has given a highly-praised music lecture series at the Redwood Library & Athenaeum in Newport, RI. Edward Markward was awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor reserved for individuals who have demonstrated leadership, excellence and longevity within their respective industries and professions.
