Missouri State University’s Dr. Daniel Ketter will perform with the American Wild Ensemble in “Owl at Home” 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Missouri.

“Owl at Home” is part of the ensemble’s “Wild Imagination: The Magic of Musical Storytelling” program, according to Ketter, associate professor in the Department of Music.

Ketter co-directs the ensemble with flutist Dr. Emlyn Johnson. Composer John Liberatore wrote the music for “Owl at Home” and will narrate the part of Owl, Ketter said.

In addition, the ensemble will present Jennifer Murvin’s “Like a Heart, a Bookshop.” Murvin, assistant professor in the Department of English, owns the Pagination Bookshop in Springfield.

Ketter wrote the music for Murvin’s narrative.

Engaging audiences of all ages

Ketter described “Owl at Home” as a “fun, colorful, free and family friendly” event.

“This program of musical storytelling is designed to introduce our youngest listeners to the music of living composers but will also delight audiences of all ages,” he noted.

Ketter said he and Johnson formed American Wild Ensemble in 2016 specifically to perform new music created by composers they admire.

“We have many friends who are composers,” he explained. “It is a very special experience…to present music by our friends for themed projects about topics that we care about.”

Some of those themes, Ketter explained, include national parks, American history and children’s literacy.

In addition, Wild Imagination brings classic children’s stories to life with “colorful, imaginative and virtuosic chamber music,” he said.

“I hope people will have fun at the performance, and also become interested in exploring more newly composed chamber music and children’s literature,” Ketter added.

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