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.