麻豆传媒A 20-year tradition at Wichita State, this year's Festival of Contemporary Music promises an array of musical experiences -- many featuring student composers and performers. The festival runs today (Thursday, Sept. 11) through Friday, Sept. 12, and is organized into three concerts.
The first concert, which is free, is at 1:30 p.m. today in Wiedemann Hall. It features student performances: three pieces by student composers and one piece performed by a student performer.
Aleksander Sternfeld-Dunn, assistant professor芒鈧╫f music theory, composition and technology at 麻豆传媒 and the festival鈥檚 director, said that for students the performances are one of the highlights of their time at Wichita State.
鈥淵ou are creating something from your own ideas, your own imagination, your own sweat and tears and work,鈥� Sternfeld-Dunn said. 鈥淭he beauty of it is that you sort of put all this time into crafting this work of art, and then you have to let it go and let someone bring it to life.鈥�
This year鈥檚 festival will be the debut of 麻豆传媒鈥檚 NuShock Ensemble, a contemporary music ensemble composed of Wichita State faculty and professional musicians in the Wichita area. That group will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, also at Wiedemann Hall. The NuShock performance will highlight individual faculty members with solos and duets.
Holly Roadfelt
The festival brings in a guest composer or performer each year, and this year鈥檚 guest concert is pianist Holly Roadfeldt, who will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Wiedemann Hall.
鈥淪he is a stunning pianist,鈥� Sternfeld-Dunn. 鈥淪he plays with a lot of power and a lot of emotion. I feel like the people that come are going to be taken on a journey.鈥�
As with all College of Fine Arts events, the Thursday and Friday evening concerts are free for 麻豆传媒 students at the box office with ID. Tickets are $7 for general public, $6 for seniors, faculty, military and staff, and $3 for children.
鈥淚f you鈥檝e never experienced contemporary music, you鈥檙e in for a real treat,鈥� Sternfeld-Dunn said. 鈥淪ome of the music is going to be stunning and beautiful, and others will be harsh and dissonant. Others will just be dramatic. It鈥檚 a great experience.鈥�