Fullerton Jazz Chamber Ensemble featuring
the
Ralph Alessi Quartet
8pm • Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Meng Concert Hall
RONALD S. ROCHON
President, California State University, Fullerton
SEAN E. WALKER
Provost and VP for Academic Affairs (Interim)
ARNOLD HOLLAND, EDD
Dean, College of the Arts
DR. RANDALL GOLDBERG Director, School of Music
KIMO FURUMOTO
Assistant Director, School of Music
BONGSHIN KO
Assistant Director, School of Music
SCHOOL OF MUSIC FULL-TIME FACULTY AND STAFF
FACULTY
CONDUCTING
Kimo Furumoto instrumental
Dr. Robert Istad choral
Dr. Christopher Peterson choral
Dr. Dustin Barr instrumental
JAZZ AND COMMERCIAL MUSIC
Bill Cunliffe jazz piano; arranging; Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, Fullerton Big Band and combo director
Rodolfo Zuñiga* jazz studies, jazz percussion, and music techology; Fullerton Chamber Jazz Ensemble director
PIANO, ORGAN, PIANO PEDAGOGY
Bill Cunliffe jazz piano
Alison Edwards* piano, piano pedagogy, class piano
Dr. Robert Watson piano
MUSIC EDUCATION, TEACHER TRAINING, AND TEACHING CREDENTIAL
Dr. Christopher Peterson choral
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore* instrumental
MUSIC IN GENERAL EDUCATION
Dr. John Koegel*
Dr. Katherine Reed
MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Dr. Vivianne Asturizaga musicology
Dr. John Koegel* musicology
Dr. Katherine Reed musicology
STRINGS
Kimo Furumoto Director of Orchestra Studies and University Symphony Orchestra conductor
Bongshin Ko cello
Dr. Ernest Salem* violin
THEORY AND COMPOSITION
Dr. Hesam Abedini composition, theory
Dr. Pamela Madsen composition, theory
Dr. Ken Walicki* composition, theory
VOCAL, CHORAL, AND OPERA
Dr. Robert Istad* Director of Choral Studies and University Singers conductor
Dr. Kerry Jennings* Director of Opera
Dr. Christopher Peterson CSUF Concert Choir and Singing Titans conductor
Dr. Joni Y. Prado* voice, academic voice courses
Dr. Bri’Ann Wright general education
WOODWINDS, BRASS, AND PERCUSSION
Dr. Dustin Barr Director of Wind Band Studies, University Wind Symphony, University Band
Jean Ferrandis* flute
Sycil Mathai* trumpet
Ken McGrath* percussion
Dr. Gregory X. Whitmore
University Symphonic Winds conductor
Michael Yoshimi* clarinet
STAFF
Michael August Production Manager
Eric Dries Music Librarian
Gretchen Estes-Parker Office Coordinator
Will Lemley Audio Technician
Jeff Lewis Audio Engineer
Chris Searight Musical Instrument Services
Paul Shirts Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth Williams Business Manager
* Denotes area coordinator
Welcome to the spring 2026 events season at Cal State Fullerton’s College of the Arts. We have been hard at work in every classroom, practice room, and studio across campus preparing to share new sounds and bold creativity with all of you. We are thrilled you are here.
Our students and their success form the core of our purpose in the College of the Arts but unlike their counterparts in other colleges, their paths are not solely formed through classroom learning; they are revealed in the moments when talent meets opportunity. Like when a dancer attends an intensive, or when a musician travels abroad on tour, or an actor or artist is mentored – this is where promise is transformed into possibility. The Dean’s Fund for Excellence gives students access to meaningful experiences like these and many more, including masterclasses, research opportunities, materials, and professional conferences. You can help ensure creativity isn’t limited by circumstance. Consider a gift of any amount to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence today.
This spring semester is brimming with performances and exhibitions for all to enjoy –some that will make you laugh and others that will make you think. In the School of Music, Sibarg Ensemble, featuring our own Hessam Abedini, explores the musical intersections of Iranian music and jazz on February 20. In April, Benjamin Britten’s comic opera “Albert Herring” follows the shy, virtuous title character as he rebels against his prudish upbringing. Join us in the Little Theatre beginning March 5 for the musical “Once Upon a Mattress” – an uproarious sendup of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairytale, “The Princess and the Pea.” If you’re craving something completely different, Eugène Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros” opens March 19 to hold a mirror to the absurdity of mob mentality and the struggle to maintain individuality in the face of mass hysteria. And in late spring, our dancers and choreographers return to demonstrate their inimitable power and grace in “Spring Dance Theatre.”
Across the walkway from where you’re seated are the College of the Arts Galleries. You can still catch exhibitions from Soo Kim and Carol Caroompas until May, or stop by the galleries on Wednesdays for our bi-weekly Student Galleries opening receptions. They are always full of energy, and you might even find student artwork to purchase and take home!
Whether you’re returning to our venues or here for the first time, we are so excited to present another season to you. Thank you for joining us.
Sincerely,
Arnold Holland, EdD Dean, College of the Arts
SCAN THIS QR DONATE TODAY TO THE DEAN’S FUND FOR EXCELLENCE
Ralph Alessi Quartet
Ralph Alessi, trumpet
Adam Benjamin, piano
Richard Giddens, bass
Mark-Ferber, drums
(Selected Original Compositions)
Fullerton Jazz Chamber Ensemble
Rodolfo Zuñiga, director
Pyramid ...........................................................................
Horace Silver arr. Mike Abene
Drake Bolt, saxophone • Spencer Bowie, saxophone
Kenneth Sithan, trumpet • Andrew Munoz, trombone
Book’s Bossa .................................................................
Walter Booker arr. David Gibson
Edward Castaneda, trumpet
Jacob Trejo, saxophone
Nutville .............................................................................
Horace Silver arr. Michael Abene
Daniel Saucedo, saxophone
Ralph Alessi Quartet
Round Midnight ......................................................... Thelonious Monk arr. Frank Carlberg
The Ralph Alessi Quartet
Toshio ................................................................................
The Ralph Alessi Quartet
James Miley
Saxophone
Jacob Trejo, alto
Drake Bolt, alto
Spencer Bowie, tenor
Alexander Granstaff, tenor
Daniel Saucedo, baritone
Trombone
Andre Munoz
Julia Chubb
Summer Balthrop
Landon Barron
Trumpet
Julie Morimoto
Madyson Epino
Kenneth Sithan
Edward Castaneda
Rhythm
Sam Polite, electric guitar
Sasha Ishikawa, piano
Daniel Romo, Angelina Salcedo, contrabass
Jiayu Cao, drums and percussion
Udana De Silva, drums and percussion
Ralph Alessi trumpet, composer
Trumpeter/composer Ralph Alessi was born in San Francisco, the son of classical trumpeter Joe Alessi and opera singer Maria Leone. After taking degrees in jazz trumpet and bass— he studied under the legendary Charlie Haden at CalArts—he moved to New York, where he swiftly became an ubiquitous presence on the downtown scene. He’s been a frequent collaborator with such notable musicians as Steve Coleman, Jason Moran, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, Fred Hersch, Uri Caine and Marc Copland.
Alessi has recorded nine albums of original compositions which draw on everything from post-bop to neo classical music. He currently records for the ECM record label including his 2016 release Quiver. In 2018 he released a new This Against That record on the label. As an educator, Ralph is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at University of Nevada-Reno as well as the director of the School for Improvisational Music.
Rodolfo Zuñiga
Drummer and composer Rodolfo Zuñiga is a sought-after sideman and educator originally from San José, Costa Rica. He has shared the stage with Gary Campbell, Ira Sullivan, Bill Mays, Silvano Monasterios, Tomasz Dabrowski, Stephen Scott, Troy Roberts, Roxana Amed, Martin Bejerano, Camila Meza, John Hart, Michael Dease, Rotem Sivan, Melissa Aldana, Andy Laverne, Othello Molineaux, Randy Brecker, Lew Tabackin, Don Friedman, Jonathan Kreisberg, Benny Golson, and Slide Hampton, to name a few.
As an educator, Zuñiga has a wealth of experience, holding previous positions at Florida International University, Broward College and Miami Dade College teaching Jazz, Music Production and Music Business. He has performed and presented at the Jazz Education Network convention and has been a Thelonious Monk Institute Clinician. He has taught masterclasses at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Denmark, The American Modern School of Music in Paris, The Universidad de las Americas in Ecuador, The New World School of the Arts in Miami, The University of Costa Rica, and the Symphonic Conservatory in San José.
As a sideman, Zuñiga has toured the world with highly creative jazz projects performing in festivals like The Copenhagen Jazz Festival, The Cully Switzerland Jazz Festival, Jazz Fest Málaga, The Ecuador Jazz Festival, Jazz Sur Le Ville Marseille, The Guatemala Jazz Festival, Ground Up Music Festival, The Jacksonville Jazz Festival, and The St. Petersburg Jazz Festival.
Zuñiga approaches teaching and performing with an open mind and a hunger to maintain a constant expansion of knowledge in areas such as the intersection of jazz and world music, music technology and nurturing diversity in jazz education. He is a proud Zildjian Cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks endorser.
$500,000 +
Mrs. Junko Klaus
$100,000-$499,999
Johnny Carson Foundation
$50,000-$99,999
CSU Northridge Foundation
Leo Freedman Foundation
Ms. Susan Hallman in Memory of Ernie Sweet ‘77
Mr. Matthew Scarpino & Ms. Karyn Hayter
Mr. Steve & Mrs. Robin Kalota
Dr. Sallie Mitchell*
Dr. Tedrow & Mrs. Susan Perkins
Mrs. Louise Shamblen
$25,000 - $49,999
Mr. Darryl Curran
Mrs. Lee C. Begovich
Mrs. Marilyn Carlson
Ms. Mary A. and Mr. Phil Lyons
Mr. Bob & Mrs. Terri Niccum
Mr. Ernest & Mrs. Donna Schroeder
Dr. Ed & Mrs. Sue Sullivan
$10,000-$24,999
Dr. Joseph & Dr. Voiza Arnold
Mr. John Aimé & Ms. Robin de la Llata Aimé
Dr. Marc Dickey
Mrs. Evelyn Francuz
Mr. Edward & Mrs. MaryLouise Hlavac
Ms. Kathleen Hougesen
Ms. Kathy Mangum
Mr. James & Mrs. Eleanore Monroe
Mrs. Norma Morris
Mr. John Brennan & Ms. Lucina Moses
$5,000-$9,999
Mr. Nick & Mrs. Dottie Batinich
Continuing Life LLC
Ms. Harriet Cornyn
Mr. William S. Cornyn
Dedicated 2 Learning
Mr. Richard & Mrs. Susan Dolnick
Ebell Club of Fullerton
Friends of Jazz, Inc.
Dr. Margaret Gordon
DONOR APPLAUSE
Mr. Norm & Mrs. Sandy Johnson
Ms. Teri Kennady
Mrs. Jill Kurti Norman
Morningside of Fullerton
Mrs. Bettina Murphy
Mr. David Navarro
Dwight Richard Odle Foundation
Dr. Stephen Rochford, DMA
Southern California Arts Council
Swinerton Builders
Mr. Framroze & Mrs. Julie Virjee
$1,000-$4,999
Mr. John A. Alexander & Mr. Jason Francisco
Mrs. Judy Atwell
Mrs. Lois Austin
Mr. Tod Beckett-Frank
Ms. Karen Bell
Mr. John &
Ms. Shanon M. Fitzpatrick
Dr. Keith & Mrs. Renae Boyum
Mr. Allan & Mrs. Janet Bridgford
Mrs. Marion Brockett
Mr. James & Mrs. Diane Case
Mr. Stephen Collier & Ms. Joann Driggers
Mr. William H. Cunliffe, Jr.
D Barry Schmitt Trust
Ms. Jeannie Denholm
Mr. Gordon & Mrs. Lorra Dickinson
Mr. Kenneth & Mrs. Stacey Duran
Mr. Greg & Mrs. Shawna Ellis
Ms. Judi Elterman
Dr. Anne Fingal
Fullerton Families & Friends Foundation
The Jane Deming Fund
Mrs. Marsha Gallavan
Mrs. Terie Garrabrant
Dr. Leon & Mrs. Annette Gilbert
Mrs. Janet M. Green
Mr. James Henriques
Mr. David &
Mrs. Margret Hoonsbeen
Mr. Mike Ibanez
Mr. Darren & Mrs. Tatyana Jones
Ms. Michelle H. Jordan
Ms. Gladys Kares
Ronald L. Katz Family Foundation
Mr. Raymond & Mrs. Masako Kawase
Mr. Jeffrey & Mrs. Gayle Kenan
Dr. Kristin Kleinjans & Mr. Anthony Dukes
Mrs. Shirley Laroff
Mr. Lynn & Mrs. Susan Lasswell
Mrs. Marilyn Little
Mr. Juan Lopez
Mr. Paul Coluzzi & Mr. John Martelli
Dr. George& Mrs. Karen Mast
Mrs. Thelma Mellott
Mr. Michael & Mrs. Mary Miguel
Mr. Carl Mrs. Patricia Miller
Stifel Nicolaus
Mr. Ujinobu & Mrs. Yoshino Niwa
Mr. Colin Connor & Ms. Debra Noble
Dr. Arie & Mrs. Deanna Passchier
Mr. Jarrold Petraborg
Mr. John Phelps & Mrs. Kerry Laver-Phelps
Mr. Jim Plamondon
Mr. E. B. & Mrs. Linda Powell
Mr. Robert Rennie & Mrs. Nancy Rennie
Ms. Christine Rhoades
Ms. Mary Rupp
Mr. Thaddeus & Mrs. Eleanor Sandford
Mrs. Rita Sardou
Mr. D. Schmitt
Mrs. Martha Shaver
Mrs. Ingrid R. Shutkin
Ms. Barbara Kerth & Ms. Lorena Sikorski
Ms. Janet Smith
South Coast Repertory
Ms. Ann Sparks
Mr. Robert & Mrs. Roberta Sperry
Mr. Douglas Stewart
Mr. Tom & Mrs. Carolyn Toby
Liqi Tong
Viet Tide
Ms. Verne Wagner
Dr. Sean & Dr. Tina L. Walker
Dr. Robert & Mrs. Teri Watson
Dr. Wayne & Dr. Ruth Zemke
special care has been given to the prepartion of this donor list. Questions or concerns, please contact: Dominic Mumolo | 657-278-7695 Gifts received from July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024 |
ONTIVEROS SOCIETY
The Ontiveros Society includes individuals who have provided a gift for Cal State Fullerton through their estate plan. We extend our deep appreciation to the following Ontiveros Society members, whose gifts will benefit the students and mission of the College of the Arts.
ANONYMOUS
JOHN ALEXANDER
LEE & DR. NICHOLAS A.* BEGOVICH
MARC R. DICKEY
JOANN DRIGGERS
BETTY EVERETT
CAROL J. GEISBAUER & JOHN* GEISBAUER
SOPHIA & CHARLES GRAY
MARYLOUISE & ED* HLAVAC
GRETCHEN KANNE
DR. BURTON L. KARSON
ANNE L. KRUZIC*
LOREEN & JOHN LOFTUS
ALAN A. MANNASON*
WILLIAM J. MCGARVEY*
VERONICA MICHALOWSKI
DR. SALLIE MITCHELL*
ELEANORE P. & JAMES L. MONROE
LYNN & ROBERT MYERS
BOB & TERRI NICCUM
DWIGHT RICHARD ODLE*
SHERRY & DR. GORDON PAINE
DR. JUNE POLLAK & MR. GEORGE POLLAK*
DR. STEPHEN M. ROCHFORD
STAN MARK RYAN ‘75
MARY K. & WILLIAM SAMPSON
LORENA SIKORSKI
DOUGLAS G. STEWART
ANDREA J. & JEFFREY E. SWARD
RICHARD J. TAYLOR
VERNE WAGNER
RICHARD WULFF
DR. JAMES D. & DOTTIE YOUNG*
We Proudly Recognize Our VOLUNTEER
SUPPORT GROUPS
ART ALLIANCE promotes excellence and enjoyment in the visual arts, and their fundraising efforts contribute to student scholarship, gallery exhibitions, opening receptions and sculpture acquisition on campus.
Website arts.fullerton.edu/aa
MUSIC ASSOCIATES maintains a tradition of active involvement and community support and raises scholarship funds for School of Music students through annual fundraising events and membership dues.
Website arts.fullerton.edu/musicassociatesmembership
*deceased
MORE INFORMATION Dominic Mumolo, Senior Director | dmumolo@fullerton.edu
shape the future of the arts
The College of the Arts at Cal State Fullerton is one of the largest comprehensive arts campuses in the CSU system. We proudly serve as an academic institution of regional focus with national impact that combines rigorous arts training with cross-disciplinary exploration to encourage the artistic expression and individual achievement of thousands of students throughout the arts every day.
Our students’ success increasingly depends on the support of our community. More of our students are facing significant challenges to their ability to continue their education. Be part of the solution! We invite you to support the Dean’s Fund for Excellence. Help provide students with the education, the tools, and the opportunities to succeed both on campus and off.
Empower our students to become the successful creative professionals our economy so desperately needs! Consider making a gift of any amount to the Dean’s Fund for Excellence today.
CSUF COLLEGE OF THE ARTS •
Carole Caroompas: Mytstical Unions Through May 2
COTA Galleries (Atrium Gallery)
Soo Kim: Charlie sings in the quietest voice Through May 16
COTA Galleries (Begovich Gallery)
Sarah Cahill, piano*
March 18, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Rhinoceros
March 19–28, 2026
Young Theatre
University Singers & Concert Choir
March 21, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Paul Galbraith, guitar
March 22, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Fullerton Jazz Chamber Ensemble feat. Ralph Alessi Quartet
March 24, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Talich Quartet
March 27, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Fullerton Jazz Orchestra feat. Joe La Barbera, drums
March 28, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
University Symphony Orchestra with Talich Quartet
March 29, 2026, at 3 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Nicholas Isherwood, bass/baritone*
April 7, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
X-out
April 9–18, 2026
Hallberg Theatre
High School Honor Band & CSUF Wind Chamber Ensembles
April 11, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Albert Herring
April 10–12, 2026
Recital Hall
CSU Brass Exchange: CSUF/SDSU
April 20, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Fullerton Jazz Chamber Ensemble & Fullerton Latin Ensemble
April 21, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Cello Choir
April 22, 2026, at 6 PM
Recital Hall
Woodwind Chamber Recital
April 24, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
University Symphonic Winds & University Wind Symphony
April 26, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Mariachi Titans
April 28 at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
University Band
April 29, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Spring Dance Theatre
April 30 – May 9, 2026
Little Theatre
Fullerton Jazz Orchestra feat. Dave Binney, saxophone
May 1, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
University Wind Symphony
May 2, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Blue Note (formerly Jazz Singers)
May 4, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
Titan Voices & Singing Titans
May 6, 2026, at 8 PM
Meng Concert Hall
University Wind Symphony & Symphonic Chorus
May 9, 2026, at 3 PM
Meng Concert Hall
*Part of the 25th Annual New Music Series
