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.  

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