Grammy-nominated recording engineer to visit UW-River Falls

March 19, 2018 – Bruce Leek, who has nearly 500 engineering and recording credits in a career spanning over four decades, will visit Abbott Concert Hall at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls March 19-25.

Leek, who was nominated for a Best Engineered Album (Classical) Grammy Award in 2007 for “Spirit of the Season,” will record numerous UW-River Falls faculty and student groups as part of a compact disc project for the Music Department.

Leek will engineer and later edit recordings of an eclectic group of musical styles from various musicians, from the St. Croix Valley Orchestra to the faculty jazz trio to organist and UWRF lecturer Laura Edman, according to Professor Kristin Tjornehoj, Music Department Chair.

“Everything from (composer Antonín) Dvorak to dance band,” Tjornehoj said.

One of the highlights of the week will take place March 23-25 when the Lake Wobegon Brass Band (LWBB) will hold three recording sessions.

The Twin Cities-based band, formed in 1992, specializes in British brass band music. They have already produced six CDs and this seventh disc will feature music written specifically for them. Two UW-River Falls faculty – Gary Bird, tubist and graduate faculty lecturer and Jack Stamp, adjunct faculty member and percussionist – are members of the ensemble. Bird teaches University Band, while Stamp teaches composition and conducting.

“It’s going to be a very exciting week,” Tjornehoj said. “We’re very excited to have Mr. Leek here and the recording sessions will allow us to feature the many musical strengths of our department.”

Tjornehoj said the styles performed, which will include classical, jazz, percussion and world music in addition to the LWBB, will make for a diverse set of recordings. The goal is to showcase the UWRF Music Department while using the disc for recruitment purposes.

For more information, contact Tjornehoj at 715-425-3183 or kristin.tjornehoj@uwrf.edu.