FAC Instrumental Chamber Music Performance at League Academy, Friday, October 9

The Performers*****
• Moses Andrews, percussionist
• John Belanger, French horn and keyboards
• McKenzie Chalak, oboist
• Merritt Huff, flutist; piccolo
• Robert Mullis, percussionist
• Zach Purdun, percussionist
• Wesley Strasser, percussionist
• Amber Tepedino, flutist
• Dr. Gary A. Robinson, Director and Teacher

Concert Program*****

Traditional: Es scheint der Mond ("The Moon is Shining")
• Special notes: When a work is referred to as "traditional" it usually means that (1) we don't know who the composer was, and (2) it is a popular melody that many people might know. Though we found the arrangement of "The Moon is Shining" on a German file sharing site, it is actually a cheerful, Russian folk melody that travels through some changes of key and instrumentation. Moses, Wesley and Robert perform the string parts on marimbas.
• Performers: Moses, Wesley and Robert on marimba, Merritt and Amber on flute, McKenzie on oboe, and John on keyboards

James Hook (1746-1827): Trio Op.83, No. 1
• James Hook was a popular and highly successful English composer around the time of Mozart and then Beethoven. He wrote a great deal of chamber music intended for the enjoyment of the performers. His trios, which can be played by many combinations of instruments, are examples of this kind of composition. Trio Op.83, No. 1 is written in three movements: Allegro con spiritu (fast and lively), Andante e sempre piano (at a walking tempo and always quiet), and Rondo allegretto (a rondo is a composition in which a theme alternates with variations; allegretto means a little slower than allegro).
• Performers: Merritt and Amber on flute, McKenzie on oboe

Glen A. Prior: Piece for Three Pair of Hands Clapping
• Special notes: Glen Prior is a contemporary American composer of experimental chamber and "microtonal" music. His Piece for Hands Clapping begins and ends with the ensemble performing a 7/4 rhythm in unison, with the performers pulling apart and performing cross rhythms ("polyrhythms') throughout the middle.
• Performers: Robert, Wesley, Moses, McKenzie, Merritt, John, and Amber

Louis Gordon (born 1965): "Brazilian Set"
• Special notes: Louis Gordon is a living English composer and performing musician. His "Brazilian Set" is in two movements. "Choros" translates as "cry" or lament," and is performed in a singing style with John playing (French) horn while Wesley, on vibraphone and Moses, on bass marimba, perform what would usually be a guitar part. "Samba" is a traditional Brazilian dance set in two beats to a bar.
• Performers: John on horn, Wesley on vibraphone, Moses on marimba 


Antonio Vivaldi (1675-1741): Flute Concerto in G minor, RV439, Op.10, No.2 ('La Notte' = "The Night")
• Special notes: FAC's four marimba players will play the parts ordinarily performed by the string orchestra accompaniment (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, and Violoncello). The concerto is written in six very quick movements and has a theme just perfect for the coming of Halloween at the end of this month: 1.Largo; 2.Presto ('Fantasmi' = "Ghosts"); 3.Largo; 4.Presto; 5.Largo ('Il Sonno' = "Sleep"); 6.Allegro
• Performers: Merritt is the flute soloist; Wesley, Moses, Robert, and Zach on marimbas, , John on keyboard

Paul Smadbeck (born 1955): "Virginia Tate"
• Special notes: Paul Smadbeck is a contemporary American composer and performer who is famous for his works for solo marimba. "Virginia Tate" is one of his most often played compositions and is know for its being composed in a "minimalist" style as well as being simply beautiful.
• Performer: Wesley

Jon Jeffrey Grier (born 1953): Cripple Creek Counterpoint
• Special notes: Dr. Grier is the Composer-in-Residence at the Fine Arts Center. "Cripple Creek Counterpoint" is named for the stream that ran behind the Fine Arts Center in its old location. The piece is written in a "minimalist" style, which overlaps the stating and repetition of small musical ideas by the musicians in the ensemble.
• Performers: Wesley, Moses, Robert, and Zach on marimbas; Merritt Amber on flutes, McKenzie on oboe and John on horn