It's not every day that students have the opportunity
to interact with a distinguished American composer, but
Music Now Fest '09 does just that.
William Bolcom is the featured guest composer as Eastern
Michigan University hosts its 16th biennial new music
festival Wednesday, Feb. 18, through
Friday, Feb. 20.
 |
GUEST COMPOSER: William Bolcom, a
distinguished
composer,
will be the
featured guest composer at Eastern
Michigan University's Music Now Fest
'09, Feb.
18-20. Bolcom has received a
National Medal of Arts,
a Pulitzer Prize for
music, multiple Grammy Awards
and was
named the 2007 Composer of the Year by
Musical
America. |
Bolcom is widely regarded as one of America's most distinguished
composers and was named the 2007 Composer of the Year by
Musical America. He also has been honored with a National
Medal of Arts, a Pulitzer Prize for music and multiple
Grammy Awards.
His focus is chamber, operatic, vocal, choral, cabaret,
ragtime and symphonic music. Bolcom taught composition
at the University of Michigan's School of Music from 1973-2008.
He will interact directly with students and the public
in panel discussions, lectures, and rehearsals in preparation
for the performance of his work.
"We should have access to the good music, literature and
art of our own time. The world of popular culture usually
communicates, in a very limited way, aspects of the human
experience in a very direct and commercialized manner,
while classical or so-called high culture, does this in
more subtle, broader, deeper and more complex ways," said
Anthony Iannaccone, professor of composition at EMU. "Students
and faculty in a university should have access to both
worlds. Music Now helps, substantially, to make that possible
by providing an opportunity to experience excellent performances
of a broad range of high-quality modern music, with special
focus on the work of a living composer who is a featured
speaker at the festival."
This festival displays the collective talents of EMU's
music faculty and students, as well as guest artists. The
festival begins with a faculty recital Wednesday, Feb.
18, at 8 p.m., in Pease Auditorium. This recital sets the
stage for the festival with a variety of works from composers
Whitney Prince, Samuel Barber, Arvo Part, Brian McCloskey
and Anthony Iannaccone. Faculty and guest artists include
Glenda Kirkland, soprano; Kimberly Cole-Luevano, clarinet;
Julie Stone, flute; Carter Eggers, trumpet; and pianists
Garik Pedersen, Anne Beth Gajda and Larisa Simington.
EMU welcomes Bolcom Thursday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m., in Pease
Auditorium. Bolcom will discuss and play excerpts from
his works.
An open orchestra rehearsal of "Commedia" is scheduled
at 1 p.m., in Pease Auditorium, with the Symphony Orchestra,
Bolcom and director Kevin Miller.
An open choir rehearsal of "Maha Sonnet," "Chorale on
St. Anne's Hymn" and "The Rhodora" follows at 3 p.m., with
the University Choir and director Trey Jacobs.
Faculty and guests artists perform a concert featuring
the chamber music of Bolcom, at 8 p.m., in Pease Auditorium.
This concert will include "Five Fold Five," "First Piano
Quartet," "Three Ghost Rags," "Trio for Clarinet," "Violin
and Piano," "Virtuosity Rag" and "Gospel Preludes."
Music Now Fest '09 continues Friday, Feb. 20, with an
open band rehearsal of "Song" and "Machine" with
Bolcom and the Wind Symphony, directed by Mary Schneider,
at 11 a.m., in Pease Auditorium.
Bolcom will participate in a conversational exchange with
a composer's panel and audience members about the compositional
process and issues related to contemporary music at 2 p.m.,
in Alexander Recital Hall.
An additional open band rehearsal of Augusta Reed Thomas' "Magneticfireflies" is
scheduled with the Symphonic Band at 4 p.m., in Pease Auditorium.
John Zastoupil will direct.
The festival concludes with a concert of contemporary
music at 8 p.m., in Pease Auditorium. The EMU Symphony
Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphony Band, University Choir,
Chamber Choir and Percussion Ensemble will perform selections
by Bolcom. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students
and seniors. They are available at the door or advance
tickets are available at the EMU Convocation Center, 487-2282,
or the Quirk Theatre Box Office, 487-1221.
For more information about Music Now Fest '09, visit www.emich.edu/music/html/events.html or
call 487-4380.
