Festival features five performances over four days
The 2015 Composition Festival will bring students and faculty together with distinguished performers and composers in a four-day event next month. The events will include recitals featuring guest artists and composers, a composition competition and performances by the many talented Missouri State students and faculty.
MARCH 1
Concert I
Pianist Michael Kirkendoll will kick off the festival in a guest artist recital. His performance will feature works of living composers, including selections from American composer Frederic Rzewski’s monumental work “The Road.” Kirkendoll, assistant professor of piano at the University of Kansas, has presented over 100 new works in both solo and collaborative settings. He also the author of the food and wine blog, “The Uncorked Pianist.”
Event details
Time: 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Ellis Hall 217b
Admission: Free and open to the public
Contact: Music professor Michael F. Murray by email or at 417-836-4250
Concert II
Finalists of the 6th Annual MSU 72-Hour Composition Challenge will compete in the second recital of the festival. Music for the competition must be composed and notated within the 72-hour time frame. The pieces that move past the first round of judging will be performed on this concert. Winners will be announced at the conclusion of the concert. The instrumentation and performers will be kept secret until the opening of the contest.
Event details
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Ellis Hall 217b
Admission: Free and open to the public
Contact: Music professor Michael F. Murray by email or at 417-836-4250
MARCH 2
Concert III
Guest composer Ingrid Stölzel will join MSU music faculty and students — including Ann Marie Daehn (mezzo-soprano) and Hye-Jung Hong (piano) — to perform chamber music composed by MSU student composers.
Event details
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Ellis Hall 217b
Admission: Free and open to the public
Contact: Music professor Michael F. Murray by email or at 417-836-4250
MARCH 3
Concert IV (Main Event)
Guest composers Robert Honstein and Ingrid Stölzel will give a world premiere performance of music by MSU faculty composer John Prescott. The event will also feature performances by MSU faculty soloists Allison Storochuk (clarinet), Julie Combs (oboe) and Cynthia Green Libby (oboe), as well as the MSU Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Chorale. Conductors of the evening will include Robert Quebbeman, Amy Muchnick and Cameron LaBarr.
Event details
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts
Admission: Free and open to the public
Contact: Music professor Michael F. Murray by email or at 417-836-4250
MARCH 4
Concert V
The final festival recital will feature pieces by guest composer Robert Honstein and MSU student composers, to be performed by Robert Honstein (piano) and MSU music faculty and students.
Event Details
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Ellis Hall 217b
Admission: Free and open to the public
Contact: Music professor Michael F. Murray by email or at 417-836-4250