Festival To Showcase Contemporary Works, Musicians

School of Music student composers and faculty members, as well as guest composer John Luther Adams will be among those featured during the 45th Annual SHSU Contemporary Music Festival Thursday through Saturday (April 19-21).

The three-day event, which will include “five concerts of the best in modern classical music” and several other educational programs, will open at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday with a lecture by Adams in Music Building Room 219.

Adams, an “avid naturalist” known for creating “soundscapes” that depict elemental landscapes, indigenous cultures and natural phenomena and sounds of his native Alaska, has had his work recorded and released on several music labels, according to Trent Hanna, assistant professor of music theory/composition and CMF coordinator.

In addition, he has worked with many prominent performers and venues and has taught at the University of Alaska, Bennington College and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

The works of student composers will be featured during the opening concert, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Recital Hall.

Scheduled works include a diverse variety of performers, including pieces for choir, percussion, piano and various chamber ensembles.

The evening will also include the announcement of the winner of the 4th Annual Phi Mu Alpha Fisher Tull Student Composition Award.

The second day of the festival, April 20, will begin with a composition masterclass conducted by John Luther Adams at 2 p.m. in Music Building Room 219.

“Concert 02,” featuring chamber music and three works by Adams, will include performances by many SHSU music faculty members, as well as the SHSU Flute Choir, directed by professor Kathryn Daniel.

Isaac Nagao, a composer from Japan, will also be perform one of his works during the concert, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Criminal Justice Center’s Killinger Auditorium.

Friday night will end with a concert by the SHSU Percussion Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall.

This concert will feature two works by guest composer Adams and two world premiere performances, including one of a new work based on human DNA sequences by SHSU professor of percussion John Lane. A free reception will follow this evening’s concert.

Saturday’s (April 21) festivities will begin with a solo recital by Lane at 4:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall. This concert will feature two more of Adams’ works and the world premiere of another work by Lane.

The festival’s culminating concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Killinger Auditorium and will include two works by Adams, as well as several original compositions by SHSU professor-composers.

Additionally, a performance piece involving 100 metronomes will make its campus debut, according to Hanna.

The annual festival will close with a reception in the SHSU School of Music Building following the concert.
All events, including concerts, are free and open to the public.

For more information on the festival, visit http://www.shsu.edu/~music/events/contemporary.php or contact Hanna at 936.294.1372, or Daniel Pfannstiel, assistant festival coordinator, at 832.443.9338.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
April 13, 2007
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