Monday, February 20, 2012

SOU Percussion Ensembles present "Living Sound"

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For further information contact:
February 20, 2012   Colleen Graves
gravesc@sou.edu
541.552.6102

The Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles, directed by Dr. Terry Longshore, and the Southern Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA present “Living Sound”, a concert of works by local composers.

(Ashland, Ore.) – The widely acclaimed Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensembles and the Southern Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA present “Living Sound”, a concert of works by local composers.  The concert will also feature works by SOU music students and faculty.  The performance will take place in the SOU Music Recital Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., in Ashland on Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30 PM.  Admission to the concert is $5 general and free for students.

The SOU Percussion Ensemble and Compás have been praised throughout the northwest for their performances of contemporary percussion music that entertains, challenges, and excites listeners of all ages.  Composer William Kraft (former Los Angeles Philharmonic Composer-in-Residence, Associate Conductor, and Principal Timpanist) said of the ensemble, "I have never – repeat, never – been so pleased with performances of my works."

The concert will open with “M’Weya”, a traditional Zimbabwean marimba composition by Dumisani Maraire.  This exciting and joyful piece will be led by SOU Percussion Ensemble Alumnus Lindsay Campbell, who taught the piece to the ensemble.

Much of the evening’s music is composed by members of the Southern Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA (NACUSA).  Founded by Henry Hadley in 1933, NACUSA is one of the oldest organizations devoted to the promotion and performance of American concert hall music. Many of America's most distinguished composers have been among its members. NACUSA presents several chamber concerts each year that feature music by its members.  The concert will feature the following works of NACUSA composers including three premiere performances:

  • “nobody, not even the rain” by William Ashworth - for vibraphone duet (premiere)
  • “Women’s Voices, Women’s Words” by I’lana Cotton - for percussion quartet and soprano, featuring SOU Music Student Beatriz Abella
  • “Meditation” by Ken Deveney - for marimba duet (premiere)
  • “Los Amores de Maria Bonita” by Theodore Dollarhide - for percussion octet (premiere)
  • “Diversions & Interactions” by Greg Steinke - for percussion trio


Two student works will also be premiered on the concert -  “Helix”, co-composed by SOU Music Students Daniel Freiberg and Dan Machen and “The Living Loop”, a marimba quartet by Daniel Freiberg performed by percussion quartet “Reso-Nation.”

The concert will close with a premiere performance of a new large ensemble work by SOU Adjunct Instructor of Percussion (and SOU Alumnus), Bryan Jeffs.  The work, titled “A Maroon Hog’s Rebel Frog”, is a tribute to the music of composer John Bergamo, a favorite of the ensemble and audiences, and is sure to leave the audience smiling.  A reception will follow the concert in the Music Recital Hall foyer.

Music for 18 Musicians

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: For further information contact:
February 16, 2012   
Colleen Graves  gravesc@sou.edu  541.552.6102

The Southern Oregon University Contemporary Music Ensemble,
directed by Dr. Terry Longshore, presents
Steve Reich’s epic masterwork
“Music for 18 Musicians”

(Ashland, Ore.) – The premiere performance of the Southern Oregon University (SOU) Contemporary Music Ensemble, directed by Dr. Terry Longshore, will feature Steve Reich’s epic masterwork, “Music for 18 Musicians”.  The performance will take place in the SOU Music Recital Hall, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., in Ashland on Friday, March 9, at 7:30 PM.  A pre-concert talk, by students of Dr. Longshore’s seminar on Minimalism, will take place at 6:30 PM in the Music Recital Hall.  Admission to the concert is $5 general and free for students.

Written in 1974-76, “Music for 18 Musicians” is considered by many to be Reich’s finest work.  The hour-long work features what was then a departure from the almost purely percussion-based ensembles of Reich’s earlier works into a lushly orchestrated ensemble.  The performers include six percussionists playing three marimbas, two xylophones, vibraphone, and maracas; four pianists; two clarinetists doubling on bass clarinet; violinist; cellist; and four female vocalists.

The SOU Contemporary Music Ensemble is directed by Dr. Terry Longshore, Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at SOU.  A specialist in contemporary music, Longshore has performed and coached the music of Steve Reich extensively throughout the United States.  Recently, to mark Reich’s 75th birthday, Longshore performed Reich’s legendary “Drumming” in San Diego, Omaha, Hayward, and at Southern Oregon University.  This performance of the SOU Contemporary Music Ensemble features SOU students, alumni, and faculty members including Dr. Rhett Bender, Professor of Music and Director of Woodwind Studies, and Bryan Jeffs, Adjunct Instructor of Percussion.

There will be a pre-concert talk at 6:30 PM in the Music Recital Hall.  The talk will be presented by SOU Music students who are participating in Dr. Longshore’s seminar course this term, Special Topic Music History: Minimalism.

Tickets for this performance are only $5 for general admission and free for students.  Tickets and season passes may be purchased by calling 541-552-6101 or at the Music Box Office prior to the performance.  For more information, please visit Southern Oregon University’s Department website at www.sou.edu/music.  

-SOU-

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