Department of Music
Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensemble featuring flutist Tessa Brinckman presents Incantations
12/02/2008
Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensemble featuring flutist Tessa Brinckman presents Incantations
(Ashland, Ore.) – The Southern Oregon University (SOU) Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Terry Longshore will present Incantations on Tuesday, December 2, at 8 pm in the Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall.
The acclaimed SOU Percussion Ensemble has been praised throughout the northwest for its performances of contemporary percussion music that entertains, challenges, and excites listeners of all ages. Composer William Kraft (former Los Angeles Philharmonic composer-in-residence, associate conductor and principal timpanist) said of the ensemble, "I have never— repeat, never—been so pleased with performances of my works."
The program will feature André Jolivet’s “Concert en Suite” for flute and percussion, highlighting virtuoso flutist Tessa Brinckman and SOU percussionists Brian Banegas, Reed Bentley, Chris Matthews and Evin McHill (conducted by Terry Longshore). The 1965 work features the C flute and the alto flute and contrasts virtuosic passages with lush, beautiful textures. The percussion writing, all for non-pitched instruments, adds textures that alternate between playful, jazzy, somber, and pointillistic.
Originally from New Zealand, Tessa Brinckman enjoys a versatile career, having worked in many classical music ensembles and concert series in the United States, South Africa and New Zealand. Her orchestral and festival work includes the Oregon Symphony, New Haven International Arts, Oregon Bach, Ernest Bloch, Bumbershoot and Astoria Music Festivals. She has recorded and composed for theatre in New Zealand, New York and Seattle, for Radio New Zealand, and for TV commercials.
Brinckman is the founder of Ensemble East West (formerly East West Continuo) and co-founder of Caballito Negro, a flute and percussion duo with Terry Longshore. She has received local and international grants to present unique historic and contemporary chamber music programs and has premiered numerous works by American composers.
The concert will open with “Incantation,” an arrangement by Michael A. Hernandez of Benoit Jutras’s piece for Cirque du Soleil. Also featured will be “Duet” for marimba and vibraphone by Daniel Levitan, “Nostalgiac Strains” by Erik Griswold, and two trios by percussionist/composer William L. Cahn (“Changes” and “6 Pieces for Percussion”). The concert will close with “The Grand Ambulation of the B Flat Zombies” by John Bergamo, one of the ensemble’s favorite friends and composers.
Tickets for this performance are $10 for general admission and free for students. Tickets and season passes may be purchased by calling 541-552-6101 or at the Music Box Office prior to the performance. For more information, please visit Southern Oregon University’s Music Department website at http://www.sou.edu/music
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