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.” [Read more…] about Dr. Perry Mears brings new chamber music to Midwest audiences