WAC Newsletter, October 1997: Members' News

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		WAC Newsletter, October 1997
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Al Benner

Al Benner was a guest composer and panelist on a "Young Composer's Workshop," April 15 as part of the New Music Festival 1997 at Viterbo College, La Crosse. He was also a participant in the Louisiana Sinfonietta's String Quartet Festival of New Works from Baton Rouge (May 12-18) and a panelist on the May 17 discussion entitled "String Quartets in the 20th Century" moderated by Dinos Constantinides. His Three Preludes (jazz string quartet) was one of ten pieces chosen for the Grand Finale concert. Through a blind judging procedure, his piece was honored with the Audience Choice Award along with a cash prize.

Al recently received his fourth consecutive ASCAP Standard Award. Current commissions include the St. Norbert College (De Pere) Centennial Commission for a school alma mater; and the H. Thomas Hurley Memorial Commission by the Union Congregational Church (Green Bay) for a work for SATB choir and organ.

Performances this year include the premiere of Little Suite for Solo Violin on Feb. 27 by Linda Rose on a NACASA concert, El Camino College, Torrance, CA, and on April 16 by Sara Mezacapa at the New Music Festival 1997, Viterbo College; Ephesians 5:19 (organ) by Norberto Guinaldo on March 16 at a NACUSA concert, The United Methodist Church of Garden Grove, CA; Somewhere Alone by Cindee Rupert (sop) and Samantha Wrenshall (pno), April 3 on a LU New Music Ensemble concert, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada; Reflections upon a Windowsill by Sarah Matthys (fl) and Matt Cannon (pno), May 1, on a LSU New Music Ensemble concert, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge; Three Preludes on May 10 by the Strathcona String Quartet on a New Music Alberta concert, Muttart Hall, Alberta College, Edmonton, Canada; In My Father's Arms by Tami Lang (sop) and Julie Mackey (pno) and Through a Baby's Eyes by Rev. Ted Tromble (bar) and the composer (pno) on June 22, and Psalm 100 by Lisa Benner (sop) and Mackey on Aug. 17 at the First United Presbyterian Church, De Pere.

David Drexler

Music on the St. Croix, a concert series based in Stillwater, MN, has commissioned David Drexler for a new work for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano to be premiered in Feb., 1998. Echoeswas performed by the Tuba Tzars on a Sound--the Alarm! concert on May 13 at the Hyde Park Theater in Austin, TX. Electricity for solo flute, was performed at the Ear & Now concert on April 6 at Canterbury Booksellers & Coffeehouse. A short new piece, Fanfare: Christ ist erstanden for two trumpets and horn, was performed as part of Easter services at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison. A version for three trumpets is also available. Forgotten at Dawn... was performed by Synchronia, the St. Louis new music ensemble, on Feb. 9.

Michael Edgerton

On Nov. 24, 7 pm, WAC member Michael Edgerton and composer Michael Meadows will present a concert of their music at the First Unitarian Meeting House, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison. On Dec. 3, 8:30 pm, The Extended Vocal Techniques Performance Group, directed by Edgerton, will perform the works of Sublette, Blackburn, Gaburo, Lassus and Edgerton, among others at Morphy Hall in the Humanities Building, 455 North Park Street, Madison.

Robert Levy

Robert Levy spent most of the month of May as a fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in Sweet Briar, VA, where he composed three new works including a Duo for Flute and Oboe and solo works for both clarinet and bassoon. He also hopes to complete a new book of Études for Solo Trumpet by early Fall. He has given performances during the past year on the west coast (Washington), at the Univ. of Iowa and Univ. of Northern Iowa, Manhattan School of Music (NY city), at the International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Chicago (with the Lawrence University faculty jazz ensemble, "Extempo"), and at the Red Lodge Music Festival (Montana), and Yellowstone Music Camp (Wyoming).

Dan Maske

Dan Maske will have the midwest premiere of his Concerto for Brass Quintet and Wind Ensemble performed by the Skyline Brass and the SNC Wind Ensemble, Frederick Schmidt, conductor, at the St. Norbert College Music Building, Nov. 2, 2:00 pm, De Pere. On Nov. 4, his work Caged will be played by The Skyline Brass along with other works for brass quintet at St. College Walter Theater, 7:30 pm. Far Corner for soprano sax and piano will be played by John Bleuel and Linda Li-Bleul at the 40th Annual Meeting of the College Music Society (Nov. 13-16) in Cleveland, OH.

Josh Schmidt

Josh Schmidt's most recent composition Late June Basement for cello and percussion duet, was premiered July 27 at the Charles Allis Art Museum in Milwaukee by cellist Paul Gmeinder and percussionist Mike Lorenz. A new piece for wind ensemble entitled Without Context was performed by the UWM Wind Ensemble in October. Josh has recently became an official company member of Bialystock & Bloom Presents, Milwaukee's successful new theater production company, where he will serve as composer/sound designer and chief musical director. He will give two benefit recitals for this company, the first which took place at Milwaukee's Piano Gallery on Oct. 26 and featured the keyboard music of John Cage.

Jeffrey Stanek

Jeffrey Stanek, a new WAC/MadWAC member, had his work Sunburst performed by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra at the Concert on the Square in Madison on July 16.

WAC Newsletter, October 1997
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