Kulmusik, the Ithaca College School of Music's contemporary chamber ensemble, will perform a free concert on Friday, November 14. Beginning at 8:15 p.m. in the Hockett Family Recital Hall, the concert will preview the program the group will perform at the 20th International New Music Festival, Sound Ways, in St. Petersburg, Russia, this November.
The Russian concert will take place at Glinka Hall of the Philharmonic, one of St. Petersburg's most beautiful and prestigious halls.
In addition to the concert at Ithaca College, Kulmusik will perform the St. Petersburg program at three other area venues.
* Tuesday, November 18, 7:30 p.m., as part of "Music at St. Luke" at the St. Luke Lutheran Church, 109 Oak Avenue, Ithaca
* Thursday, November 20, 8:00 p.m., Setnor Auditorium, Syracuse University
* Friday, December 5, 7:15 p.m., NYSSMA conference, Rochester
Kulmusik combines six faculty members and eight students under the artistic leadership of Sally Lamb and conductor Jeffery Meyer. Lamb teaches composition in the School of Music. Meyer, who conducts the two Ithaca College orchestras, is also the music director of the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic. That orchestra has been participating in the Sound Ways new music festival for the past four years, and its director, composer Alexander Radvilovich, invited Kulmusik to perform this year. In addition to the Kulmusik concert, the students will have the opportunity to play with the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic during the festival.
The members of Kulmusik are: Sally Lamb, artistic director; Jeffery Meyer and Richard Faria, conductors; Jacqueline Christen, flute; Paige Morgan, oboe; Richard Faria, Adam Butalewicz, clarinet; Tyler Ogilvie, horn; Alicia Aubin, trombone; Susan Waterbury, Kate Goldstein, violin; Lauren Buono, viola; Heidi Hoffman, TJ Borden, cello; Nicholas Walker, bass; Diane Birr, Nathan Gulla, keyboards.
The program includes music of Schoenberg, Mackey, Carter, and Ligeti, as well as the world premieres of “Joy Ride” by Lamb and “Weierstrass” by Rezetdinov.
“My vision for the ensemble is multifaceted,” Lamb said. “The reason for combining students with faculty is to bring a ‘family’ approach by learning challenging repertoire alongside experienced musicians in an environment that is both stimulating and supportive.”
Lamb noted: “This trip provides Kulmusik with numerous opportunities to grow as an ensemble, to contribute a substantial program to a prominent international festival, to connect with musicians from Russia and other countries being represented at the festival, and to foster cultural literacy so critical to a harmonious global society.”
The Ithaca College School of Music presents nearly 300 free concerts and recitals each year. For more information, visit www.ithaca.edu/concerts or call (607) 274-3717.
