Missouri State University’s Dr. Perry Mears, assistant professor of collaborative piano in the Department of Music, performed with oboist Michelle Vigneau, hornist Robert Patterson and cellist Craig Hultgren as part of the Iowa Composers Forum (ICF) Sept. 8, 9 and 10.

The ICF tours feature new music by composers from across the Midwest.

Informal performance format engages audiences

The tour adopted a unique format by holding performances in informal settings throughout Iowa. During the Casual Classics event at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, for example, the performers got to interact with the audience.

“Often times audiences can appreciate newer, more challenging music if the environment is casual, or in some way subverts their expectation of what a classical music event should be,” Mears said.

They also performed in house concerts, such as the historic Potter House in Decorah and a Frank Lloyd Wright House in Quasquaton.

“It was pretty amazing to perform in a Frank Lloyd Wright house,” Mears said. “It’s definitely not a commonplace experience. The piano [had] also been redesigned by Wright to match the sightlines of the living room decor, which affected its height and such, making for a singular performing experience.”

New music tailored by composers for the performers

“Many of the pieces [for] these concerts were written specifically for our group,” Mears said. “I feel so honored when a composer writes something for me to play, and then trusts me to interpret their creation for an audience.”

“Since I have performed so many concerts as part of ICF, I’ve come to know many of these composers, so playing their music takes on a special sense of connectedness that I enjoy, and I think the audiences do as well,” Mears added.

Mears especially enjoys performing with Vigneau, Patterson and Hultgren, whom he has known for about ten years as part of the Luna Nova Music Ensemble in Memphis, Tennessee.

“I love performing with these particular musicians,” Mears said. “It’s always a joy to collaborate with people you’ve gotten to know that well.”

Mears a “passionate promoter” of music

Describing himself as “passionate” about promoting both new and chamber music, Mears said he was delighted to perform new works for audiences in these non-traditional settings.

“I’ve performed a dozen concerts as a part of the forum over the last 2 years, very frequently in conjunction with cellist Craig Hultgren,” Mears said. “Prior to moving to Springfield, I also organized several concerts for ICF as part of a performing arts series I oversaw.”

Mears has been associated with ICF for about three years. He first got involved with the Forum when he entered one of his junior high piano students in a composition contest that they sponsored. He joined ICF’s board of directors in 2022 and still currently serves.

Supportive new home at MSU

Mears, who started teaching at MSU in August 2023, expressed appreciation for the support he has received from his music department colleagues, who adjusted rehearsals and lessons to accommodate his tour schedule in Iowa.

“I have been so encouraged to pursue the performance aspects of my discipline, which makes me a better collaborator with my colleagues and a better musical coach for my students,” Mears said.

Mears will not be performing on upcoming ICF tours because the next series of concerts do not specifically involve the piano.

He remains highly active in the meantime, though, by working with the board to plan future events.

“I also continue to champion the music of composers affiliated with the forum by programming their music whenever I have the opportunity,” Mears said.

Springfield performance scheduled for early 2024

Springfield area audiences will have the chance to hear Mears perform one of these new works — Warren Gooch’s “Monodies,” when cellist Craig Hultgren joins him for a guest artist recital on the MSU campus.

The performance, scheduled for Feb. 5, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in C Minor Recital Hall, will also feature George Walker’s “Cello Sonata.” The event is free and open to the public.