Minot Symphony Orchestra presents 96th season finale
MINOT, N.D. - The Minot Symphony Orchestra presents their 96th season finale, “The Titan,” on Saturday, April 30 beginning with a pre-concert talk from 6:30 to 7 p.m. and concert at 7:30 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, located inside Old Main on the campus of Minot State University.
The performance will feature guest artists from Heartland Marimba as well as original compositions by music director Efrain Amaya, Matthew Coley, and this years’ Young Composer Competition winner Kyle Vanderburg. The performance will conclude with Mahler Symphony No. 1, known as “The Titan”.
"We will be hearing exciting new music presented by top-notch performers — a real treat for audiences and student percussionists alike,” said Avis Veikley, percussion instructor at Minot State and Minot Symphony Orchestra principal percussionist.
Heartland Marimba Quartet, the premier touring ensemble of the Heartland Marimba organization, has appeared in over 140 concerts across the country since its creation in 2016 by acclaimed soloist Matthew Coley. Through its programming choices, HMQ offers a platform to the music of American composers and continues to expand its repertoire with works from composers worldwide. The creative forces of Ujjal Bhattacharyya, Matthew Coley, and Hannah Weaver combine to create a virtuosic and electrifying ensemble. With its mission of reaching a wider audience and increasing appreciation for marimba music, HMQ develops and disseminates the classical marimba art form in both academic and community contexts. HMQ will perform “Journey,” a marimba concerto by founding member Matthew Coley as well as “Marahuaka,” by music director Efrain Amaya.
“’Marahuaka’ is a concerto for three marimbas, which was commissioned in 2009 by Maestro Robert Boudreau, for the American Wind Symphony. I had the challenge of creating a very unique piece that would showcase not one but three marimbas. Being from the percussion family and with a natural connection to wood and the forests, I decided to search for one of the indigenous stories from my native country, Venezuela,” explains Amaya.
The concert will showcase the winner of the annual MSO Young Composer Competition, Kyle Vanderburg’s original composition, “One Sows for the Benefit of Another Age.”
Vanderburg grew up in southeast Missouri where the Ozark foothills meet the Mississippi River Valley. He was raised on southern gospel and American hymnody; his music walks the line between eliciting nostalgia and devising innovative sonic worlds. Vanderburg holds degrees from Drury University and the University of Oklahoma, and he has studied under composers Carlyle Sharpe, Marvin Lamb, Konstantinos Karathanasis, and Roland Barrett. He currently serves as composer in residence at North Dakota State University's Challey School of Music in Fargo.
“’One Sows’ changes iteratively. It starts from a dark place but is sprinkled with seeds of hope. A descending motive introduced in the violins brings us out of the darkness, albeit slowly. The idea spreads, develops, and eventually becomes part of a new idea, a new paradigm, that takes over. In searching for a title, I came across "Serit ut alteri saeclo prosit," North Dakota's Latin state motto, whose English translation is the title of this work. It's a recent addition to the North Dakota statutes, but a timeless message. Our work isn't finished yet,” explains Vanderburg.
This season finale is two years in the making. Originally programed for April 25, 2020, the program was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The symphony is excited to bring one of the most iconic symphonic works in the standard repertoire to its local audience, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, also known as “The Titan.” This piece will have the audience on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.
The evening will start at 6:30 p.m. with a 30-minute pre-concert talk, which will provide an engaging overview of the works being performed, the story behind the music, the composer, and historical context will be presented by Erik Anderson, Minot State music professor.
Tickets start at $25 for adults with senior and student discounts available. Tickets for livestream viewing as well as the in-hall experience are available at www.minotsymphony.com or through the box office at 701-858-4228.
In addition to performing with the Minot Symphony Orchestra, as part of their Minot residency, Heartland Marimba will present a recital that is free and open to the public on Friday, April 29 at 2 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. Parking permits are not required for the performance. Open seating will be first available. The recital is free and open to the public. The symphony will not perform at Friday’s recital.
The Minot Symphony Orchestra is a unique blend of student, community, and professional musicians from the Minot area. The symphony is directed by Maestro Efraín Amaya, associate professor of music at Minot State University.
This project is supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts and the Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation Andrist Fund.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 04/26/22 |
