News and Events
These posts include performances, concerts, recordings, and general activity from ACA, ACA's composers, and music in ACA.
News and events posts from the previous iteration of ACA's website (2009-2024) can be found on the Archived News and Events page.
News and Events
Gilbert Galindo - RAM Performs "Hope for the Earth" & "Spontaneous" Album Release
On Friday, October 4, Composers Concordance Records releases its latest album "Spontaneous" which includes an portion of Gilbert Galindo's "Microcosms" for clarinet, violin, and piano. The ending excerpt from "Microcosms" consists of fast-paced, energetic musical statements with varying intensities, fragmented tunes, abstraction, and a little bit of drama, all colored with modernist dissonances and at times harmonic coolness.
Featuring the CompCord Quartet, "Spontaneous" also includds new music by Aaron Alter, Lynn Bechtold, Seth Boustead, Dan Cooper, Ginka Mizuki, Gene Pritsker, Clemens M. Rofner, and Denise Koncelik. Performing on the album are Michiyo Suzuki on clarinet, Lynn Bechtold on violin, Daniel Hass on cello, and Jai Jeffryes on piano.
Marcus Eley releases a new album with music of Earl Louis Stewart, Alvin Batiste, and more August 30
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOMAGE is a tribute to the rich legacy of African American composers, meticulously curated by clarinetist Marcus Eley. Label: Imaginary Animals.
Album Credits: Produced by Susan Frederick and Marcus Eley; Recording engineers: Justin Armstrong; Recording, editing, and mixing: Mathew Snyder (Allegro Recordings, LLC); Editing and mixing: Tom Weir and Nellie McGrew (Studio City Sound); Mastering: Immersive Audio Mastering (Dolby Atmos) by Studio City Sound; Photography: Alisa Banks Photography; Cover art: Blythe Gaissert; Recording locations: New Orleans, LA and Burbank, CA.
Following the triumphant performance/standing ovation of his Symphony No. 4: Juneteenth, at UCLA's Royce Hall on June 5th, Professor Emeritus Earl Louis Stewart will be heard on Homage, a new album release by renowned clarinetist, Marcus Eley. Eley recorded Stewart's “Majestic” - the first movement of his Rhythm Sonata 11B, arranged for clarinet. It has been pre-released on a studio album to be available on every major streaming platform.
The album has an official release date of August 30th of this year, featuring music for clarinet, string trio, and quartet by African American composers. The album is rich with diverse styles, from spirituals to folk themes, and jazz-inspired compositions.
In “Majestic”, Marcus Eley’s clarinet sings with weaving melodies and is elegantly complimented by four strings: two violins, viola, and violoncello. Rhythm Sonata’s other two movements, “Larghetto” and “Moderato e Animato”, II and III respectively, and the first movement, “Majestic, are a stylish trio of jazz fugues governed by ever-present rhythm; hence, Rhythm Sonata is a bold modern-day jazz version of the eighteenth-century Baroque trio sonata. When asked about the inspiration behind his unique and innovative composition, Stewart had this to say: the trio sonata was a good median to express jazz; The variations of figured bass (originally played by the harpsicord), were nothing more than the number of intervals that constituted a chord, which is similar to the chord-symbol technique used throughout jazz; I interpreted the medium of the trio sonata like the modern rhythm section.
Stewart developed his jazz prowess as a trumpeter at age twelve. As a teenager, he began performing with jazz notables and writing head arrangements. Soon after, he attended Southern University in New Orleans, LA, where he learned to write jazz composition under his mentor, the late jazz great Alvin Batiste. Stewart would go on to achieve a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Texas Austin where he studied Western classical music. He is a professor emeritus of the University of California and is one of the preeminent experts on the cultural foundations of African-American music. His compositions are represented by the American Composers Alliance.
Marcus Eley is an acclaimed clarinetist known for his dedication to showcasing diverse composers and expanding the classical music repertoire. With a career that spans decades, Eley has captivated audiences worldwide with his exceptional performances and commitment to musical excellence. Homage offers listeners a glimpse into the vibrant intricacies of American music. From the soulful rhythms of Alvin Batiste to the tender introspection of Herbert Franklin Mells, each piece honors the contributions of trailblazing composers who have left an indelible mark on the classical music landscape. “This album is a celebration of the profound impact African American composers have had on the world of classical music,” proclaimed Eley. “Through these pieces, we aim to shine a light on their enduring legacy and inspire a deeper appreciation for their work.”
Chamber Music of Glenn Stallcop, with Urban Nocturnes, Sept. 14, and Sept. 21
On Saturday, Sept 14th, esteemed chamber ensemble Urban Nocturnes will present a concert "Urban Impressions" featuring recent new music written for them by composer Glenn Stallcop. The 9/14 program will be at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix and will feature works written for the ensemble and other chamber works. The concert will also be performed again in Prescott, AZ at Trinity Presbyterian on Sat. September 21, at 7pm.
Notes on the program: Episodes is a trio for violin, cello, and piano that evokes the emotional rollercoaster experienced in the continuing quest for social change.
Alt Shift, a sextet for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, and piano, explores in 3 movements (Tether, High Wire, and Fantasia) alternate lifestyles in the search for meaning and purpose.
Also on the program is Nuance de Noir for flute/alto flute, tenor saxophone (or bass clarinet), viola, and double bass. Commissioned by the Telluride Chamber Music Association in the Spring of 2022, Nuance de Noir’s unusual instrumentation triggered a comparison of modern stresses to the nuclear shadow which triggered the "Noir" period in cinema during the 50s and 60s.
Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $5 and both are available at the door. Or tickets online here.
Saturday, September 14, 2024
2:00 PM
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix
4207 East Lincoln Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Saturday, September 21, 2024
7pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church
630 Park Ave
Prescott, AZ 86303
Glenn Stallcop is a composer, pianist and bassist who performed with the Phoenix Symphony for 47 years. He has published more than 100 compositions for orchestra, chamber music, vocal works, solo piano and double bass. He has recorded multiple albums of piano improvisation over the last 20 years.
As a professional double bassist with a major symphony orchestra, several of his works feature the double bass. He has written works for double bass and orchestra, for solo bass, bass with accompaniment, two sets of bass duets and several chamber music works. He won the annual International Society of Bassists Composition Competition for solo double bass with his work entitled Vision Quest, for double bass and piano. It was premiered at the ISB conference in Michigan.
The Phoenix Symphony has performed many of his orchestral compositions, including Millennial Opening, Calypso Round, City Music, Sunscape (commissioned by the Arizona Diamond Jubilee Commission), Couplet for a Desert Summer, Concerto for Double Bass, Concertino for Harp & Strings and the Suite from Reggie (originally written for dance). His music has been performed by symphonies, festivals, chamber musicians and youth orchestras around the country.
Louis Karchin: A Retrospective at Kaufman Music Center
Kaufman Music Center will be presenting five recent works, including three premieres, by Louis Karchin on Sunday, Sept. 22nd at 4 PM. Two song cycles are based on texts of the 17th century English poet George Herbert and contemporary Boston poet Steven Withrow (who will be present at the concert). Performers will include esteemed artists who are long-time collaborators of Karchin.
Program:
Karchin: Sonata-Fantasia
Karchin: Two Sacred Songs
Karchin: Sonata quasi un capriccio
Karchin: Compositions on Canvas: Two Art Songs
Karchin: Trio for violin, cello, and piano
Tickets are available through the Merkin Hall Box office (212) 501-3330, or at https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/louis-karchin-a-retrospective/
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Fasting Heart by Judith Shatin to receive NFA premiere August 1
The National Flute Association annual convention will take place August 1-4 in San Antonio. Events include a concert honoring winners of the Newly Published Music Competitions, including Fasting Heart for solo flute by Judith Shatin, which will be performed August 1 by Yooh Jung Huh. Other winning works by Malena Kuss, Adolphus Hailstork, and Cynthia Folio are also scheduled for this concert.
Five Mirror Canons by David Mecionis and more, NYCC, April 10
MIRRORS
A Concert of New Music
Wednesday, April 10 @ 7:00 PM
Church of the Transfiguration
"Little Church Around the Corner"
1 East 29th Street, New York, New York
NEW YORK COMPOSERS CIRCLE
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Music of Aaron Avshalomov with Seven Hills Symphony, March 17
Celebrating Israeli composer Marc Lavry’s 120th anniversary, Seven Hills Symphony (Cincinnati) performed an orchestral concert featuring Lavry, along with Aaron Avshalomov and Ernest Bloch. Violin professor from Northern Kentucky University, Dr. William Herzog performed the Baal Shem Suite. Directed by Dr. Aik Khai Pung, Conductor and Matthew Lee, Assistant Conductor.
- Aaron Avshalomov: Four Biblical Tableaux (1928)
- Queen Esther’s Prayer
- Rebecca by the well
- Ruth and Naomi
- Processional
- Ernest Bloch: Baal Shem, “Three Pictures of Chassidic Life” – Dr. William Herzog, violin
- Vidui (Contrition)
- Nigun (Improvisation)
- Simchas Torah (Rejoicing in the Law)
- Marc Lavry: Emek, Symphonic Poem, op. 45
- Marc Lavry: Negev, Symphonic Poem, op. 251
Formerly named Seven Hills Sinfonietta, the Seven Hills Symphony was founded in 1974 and is now recognized as a leading community orchestra in Cincinnati, Ohio. Under the baton of Dr. Aik Khai Pung, the orchestra holds concerts that energize, entertain, and educate the public. The orchestra is composed of well-trained, non-professional musicians that perform a variety of music – everything from classical masterpieces to jazz, rock, and world music.
Michael Udow Featured at Edeta Arts Percussion Festival
Edeta Arts will feature world-renowned percussionist and composer, Michael Udow, at their festival in Llíria - a UNESCO Creative City of Music located on the outskirts of the city of Valencia. Michael was commissioned to compose a series of works about his residency in the city, titled “Impressions of Llíria." The closing festival concert of Michael’s commissioned World Premiere will include a celebration of Llíria’s important archeological sites including:
- Campanas de iglesia de Llíria - for Llíria’s bell towers,
- Tower Music featuring Germany’s Brassarie Ensemble,
- Baños Árabes de Llíria featuring Agrupació Musical Edetana "Vicente Giménez" (plucked string orchestra)
- Llíria Legends featuring Unio Musical (Symphonic Band)
- Pau – featuring Canada’s A Capella, Horizon Prairie Voices
- Llíria Impressions featuring Orquestra de Plectro "El Micalet" de Llíria, (plucked string orchestra)
- Twelve Labors of Hercules for choir, Jota musicians, brass quintet, plucked string orchestra, string orchestra, and selected percussionists from the United States and Spain. Actor Ignasi Diaz, serves as Narrator with Maestro Cristóbal Soler, conducting the 200+ musicians along with the animated film created for this event, which highlights the 1917 archeological dig that uncovered an ancient Roman 18’x15’ stone mosaic floor in the heart of Llíria.
- Edeta Fantasy (Symphonic Band), Comunidad (a Happening), and Jota (music for dance) will be premiered later.
MOSY performs Scott Joplin's Treemonisha Overture, arr and orch by TJ Anderson, July 3,6,7
The Missouri Symphony (MOSY) will perform Treemonisha Overture by Scott Joplin, orchestrated by T. J. Anderson in three upcoming performances:
- Performance #1: July 3 at 7pm at the Missouri Theatre (Columbia, MO). Conductor Wilbur Lin
- Performance #2: July 6 at 7pm at Moberly High School Auditorium (Moberly, MO). Conductor Jacob Schnitzer.
- Performance #3: July 7 at 2pm at Camdenton High School Auditorium (Candemton, MO). Conductor Jacob Schnitzer.
Robert McBride's wind music lives on at American University and IDRS 2024
All in the DC area are invited to a free recital Sunday June 30 at 3 PM. This recital of oboist William Wielgus includes the premiere of a concerto by Dario Argentesi, the first performance in almost 90 years of the "Solitude" for English horn, harp and strings by the legendary horn virtuoso, John Barrows, and premieres of Venezuelan composers Lamberto Piumi and Miguelangel Garcia Marquez, a "post-premiere" of Paul Oehlers, and a rare performance of the 'swing' Quintet for Oboe and String Quartet by Robert McBride in addition to music by Orlando di Lasso, Bach, and Telemann.
In addition to this concert on Sunday at Katzen Hall, American University, Wielgus will also present a program of McBride's music including this 1939 oboe quintet at this summer's IDRS conference, in Flagstaff, July 23rd.
Oboe professor William Wielgus was a member of the oboe section of the National Symphony Orchestra from 1990 to 2017 upon appointment by Mstislav Rostropovich. Prior to his appointment with the NSO he also served as principal oboe of the South Bend Symphony and English horn with the Oklahoma Symphony. He is presently on the oboe faculty at American University and has taught at West Virginia University and St. Mary’s College. He has also appeared at many major summer music festivals including Aspen, Tanglewood, and Spoleto, and was the winner of the 1990 Aspen Woodwind Soloist Competition. Mr. Wielgus is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Indiana University, and the Cincinnati College Conservatory. His principal teachers include Marc Fink, Jerry Sirucek, and Ray Still.
Richard Cameron-Wolfe Album Release: “Passionate Geometries”
New Focus Recordings announces the June 28, 2024 Naxos international release of Richard Cameron-Wolfe's album "Passionate Geometries" in streaming and CD formats. It features three of Cameron-Wolfe's micro-operas, three duos, and two quartets: the 48EDO microtonal guitar quartet "Mirage d'esprit" and "Telesthesia", recorded in Belgium by the Antwerp Cello Quartet. It is now available at many internet outlets and streaming services.
https://www.newfocusrecordings.com/catalogue/richard-cameron-wolfe-passionate-geometries/
Nancy Van de Vate's music featured in concert at the Mendelssohn Museum in Berlin, June 27
On the occasion of Ruth Schonthal’s 100th birthday, works by Schonthal as well as Nancy Van de Vate’s String Quartet No 1 will be performed. 27 June 2024 at the Mendelssohn-Remise in Berlin.
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Juneteenth Celebration with Three Symphonic Spirituals by Frederick Tillis, and the Springfield Symphony, June 19
Conductor Kevin Scott returns to lead the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in a free concert featuring a collection of classical and spiritual music. With powerful themes of freedom, hope, and unity, we hope you will join us for an afternoon of celebration, inspiration, and pure musical joy!
Flag raising ceremony at 2pm, followed by the concert.
Symphony Hall 34 Court Street Springfield, MA 01103
John McDonald's Week in, Week Out - University of Wyoming June 13-14
Commissioned by the Wyoming Music Teachers Association for their 2024 Biennial State Conference at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, John McDonald's Week In, Week Out: Seven One-A-Day Piano Pieces explores pianistic work-life concepts designed to engage the curious intermediate to advanced keyboard aficionado. The pieces can be played individually, in pairs or short sets, or as a full ‘week’ of music. The Conference title reflected the title of McDonald's music: Week In, Week Out—A Teacher's Journey.
McDonald presented a talk that discussed the educational goals of Week In, Week Out, and expanded to present an overview of some of his more recent didactic teaching projects with illustrations from several brand new pieces. He coached the young artist Liam Greene in the late afternoon, with the premiere taking place the same evening.
Pianist Liam Greene premieres John McDonald's Week In, Week Out—June 13, 2024. Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts; University of Wyoming
Paula Flynn, WMTA President and Conference Coordinator; Pianist Liam Greene; ACA Composer John McDonald
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Music of Edward Smaldone, Dana Richardson, and Jay Gach on Long Island Composers Alliance Concert, June 9
The Long Island Composers Alliance will feature the work of Edward Smaldone, Dana Richardson, and Jay Gach at a concert Sunday, June 9th. Smaldone's challenging and lyrical Solo Sonata for Violin will be performed by Gergana Haralampieva, Richardson's introspective Serenity will be performed by Mika Sasaki, and Gach's Nigunim will be performed by both.
Details: Sunday, June 9th at 2:30pm, The South Huntington Library: 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. Long Island, NY.
Earl Louis Stewart's Symphony No. 4 Juneteenth Celebration, at UCLA Royce Hall, June 5
Juneteenth Day Celebration: Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future
Hosted by the UCLA African American Studies Department
This event promises a bounty of musics, dance, spoken word, and more. Join together for reflection, celebration, and community as we commemorate Juneteenth, the nationally celebrated commemoration of slavery’s official end in the United States. This year, the UCLA African American Studies Department is proud to host a series of performances and talks that highlight the significance of this day in history and its relevance to our present and future.
Honoring the resilience and achievements of the African American community and the ongoing fight for freedom, equality, and justice for all. Together, we can all appreciate where we come from, the journey it took to get us where we are today, and envision a future of progress and community.
Register for free tickets here:
Prelude to Juneteenth Day Celebration
Event Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Royce Hall at UCLA
Brief note on the Symphony No. 4 Juneteenth (Identity 34:1), by Earl Louis Stewart:
This work for chorus and orchestra was written to commemorate the early 19th-century Juneteenth celebrations and is musically designed to reflect the format of those celebrations. To this extent, the work may be deemed programmatic.
Though the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862, and became effective January 1, 1863, it was not until June 19, 1865—two and a half years later— that the people of Texas, including 250,000 enslaved people, were informed that slavery had been abolished. This day became known as Juneteenth and is celebrated not only in Texas, but also in some form from Washington State to New York, and from Illinois to Texas.
Composer Earl Louis Stewart, on traveling from Louisiana to Texas during his college years, became aware of the (now) federal holiday, which was first recognized in Texas in 1980. Stewart also participated in activities surrounding Juneteenth celebrations as a Fulbright fellow in Ghana, and through these experiences over the years, the idea for his Symphony No. 4: Juneteenth (Identity 34:1) was born.
The composition utilizes two prominent forms of African American music in the last half of the 19th century: ragtime and spirituals.
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Robert Carl's White Heron premiere with League of Composers Orchestra, May 23
White Heron by Robert Carl will have a premiere in a new arrangement for chamber orchestra by the League of Composers Orchestra conducted by Louis Karchin.
On Thursday, May 23, at 7:30 PM at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music (450 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018).
The League of Composers/International Society for Contemporary Music presents a concert of vibrant new music for orchestra by Robert Carl, Paul Novak, Allen Cohen, and Cynthia Wong, featuring the Orchestra of the League of Composers conducted by Louis Karchin and Luke Poeppel.
$25 Advance | $30 Doors | $15 Student/Senior (w/ ID, Senior 65+) | Doors 7pm
Richard Cameron-Wolfe's Music Featured in Resis Festival
On Saturday, May 18, in A Coruña, Galicia, northwestern Spain, Richard Cameron-Wolfe’s 2016 Bridge of Souls will be premiered during the annual Resis Festival by Camerata OSG (Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia). It will be conducted by its director Wladimir Rosinskij and features pianist Dasha Rosinskij Prokopenko. The event, which also includes Luigi Nono’s Post/Praeludium per Donau, Wladimir’ Rosinskij’s Animal Insomne, and the premiere of En Concreto by Leticia Goas, takes place at 8:00PM in the Palacio de la Opera.
Admission free.
SOLI Chamber Ensemble to Premiere Elliott McKinley's "Symphony No. 2 for Four Players"
Elliott McKinley's Symphony No. 4 for Four Players, commissioned by the SOLI Chamber Players for the total solar eclipse in April 2024, will be premiered by SOLI on May 13th at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The program, Macrocosm, is the final concert of their season and occurs on the 30th anniversary of SOLI’s first concert in 1994, and spans the past, present, and future of SOLI’s commissioning output with the whole of their oeuvre. Alongside McKinley's second symphony, the program includes works by Paul Moravec’s and Adam Schoenberg.
Turning Point by Gilbert Galindo, premiere at Queens New Music Festival, May 12
The latest concert work by Gilbert Galindo, Turning Point for clarinet, drums, mandolin, guitar, piano, & bass will be premiered by Music Kart on Sunday, May 12, 7PM on the Queens New Music Festival at The Secret Theatre in Woodside, Queens. The Queens New Music Festival takes place from Thursday, May 9 - Sunday, May 12.
Turning Point, freely incorporates inspirations of various genres. Turning Point could be considered as a more lyrical and groove-oriented companion work to the composer's earlier work, Spunk for saxophone, guitar, violin, and bass which has been described as "chamber jazz" and is among the most active works distributed by American Composers Alliance in the past year. The composer explains, "my intuition and the inspiration of this unique combination of instruments yielded a tuneful, mysterious, and rhythmic piece." Turning Point was commissioned by Thomas Piercy & Random Access Music.
Random Access Music presents the 2024 Queens New Music Festival May 9 - 12, 2024. RAM Players, pianist Kathleen Supové, percussion quartet RECAP, Hypercube, clarinetist Matthew Fontana with pianist Marina Iwao, & Music Kart are slated to perform throughout the weekend.