Two Faculty Recitals at Smith Concert Hall; One Tonight, One Tomorrow

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Eddie Jones and Richard Rulli

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two University of Arkansas music professors will perform in the Fine Arts Center’s Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall this week. Eddie Jones, associate professor of music and coordinator of vocal studies, will give a faculty voice recital at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25. Richard Rulli, associate professor of trumpet, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26. Both concerts are hosted by the department of music in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Jones teaches voice and choral methods and conducts the university’s Concert Choir and  Inspirational Singers. His voice students have won the State and Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions. His students have also won awards at the Music Teachers National Association competition. More than 95 percent of his students go on to teach music or to continue their study of music in graduate school.

Jones’ scholarship includes articles on hymnist, Charles Price Jones and the musical arrangements of 20th century artist, Roland Hayes. His recent research on Black Gospel Music has resulted in his development of the copyrighted dramatic presentation, The Gospel Feast, which is used to inform the public about the history of Black Gospel Music.

Rulli teaches classes in trumpet and brass chamber music. He also conducts the trumpet ensemble and performs as a founding member of the Boston Mountain Brassworks, the university’s faculty brass quintet.

Rulli was awarded 2009 University of Arkansas Faculty Gold Medal for his support of students as a faculty mentor in performance and advising. He has served as a featured performer and clinician internationally at conventions of the International Trumpet Guild and International Brass Festival and nationally at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Convention and the state conventions of the Georgia and Wisconsin Music Educators Association.

Rulli has performed as a member of the Arkansas Symphony, Fort Smith Symphony, Columbus Brass, Wisconsin Brass Quintet, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra and Madison Opera. Rulli preformed earlier this month at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville and at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City. 

Both faculty concerts are free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Stadium Drive Parking Facility, where parking is free after 5 p.m. Entrance to the parking facility is on Stadium Drive, and the facility’s elevator will take patrons to street level directly across from the Fine Arts Center.