Fall Festival: Composition, Percussion and Piano

UNCSA is co-hosting a festival this fall focusing on the happy confluence of Composition, Percussion and Piano. Guests include composers Martin Bresnick, Viet Cuong and Jennifer Higdon, along with two percussion/piano ensembles: the Icarus Quartet and the Vesna Duo.

The festival, hosted in conjunction with Wake Forest University’s Secrest Artist Series, runs from September 27^th to October 2^nd, 2024.

A highlight of the festival will be the premieres of three works commissioned by the Icarus Quartet: Martin Bresnick’s "Hagyaték," Viet Cuong’s "Cloak of Night" and Jennifer Higdon’s "Turbo Shift (A Crafter’s Workshop)," all on September 30^th.

The next evening, the Vesna duo will follow with Sale Sedlar’s "Savcho III," Avishai Cohen’s "The Ever-Evolving Etude," Tigran Hamasyan’s "Lilac" and Hildur Guõnadóttir’s "Women Talking." 

UNCSA Composition students will have seminars with Higdon, Cuong and Bresnick on Sept. 27, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for our student composers to get up-close-and-personal with some of the leading figures in composition today,” says UNCSA Composition Professor Lawrence Dillon. “Combining that with performances by two outstanding piano-percussion ensembles will be an educational experience unlike any other.”

Schedule of Events

Friday, Sept. 27

Composition Seminar: Jennifer Higdon.  3:45 p.m., UNCSA SAAB 101.

Monday, Sept. 30

icarus Quartet Concert: Piano and percussion quartet premieres Martin Bresnick’s "Hagyaték," Viet Cuong’s "Cloak of Night" and Jennifer Higdon’s "Turbo Shift (A Crafter’s Workshop)." 7:30 p.m., Brendle Hall, WFU.

Tuesday, Oct. 1

Composition Seminar: Viet Cuong  3:45 p.m., UNCSA SAAB 101.
Vesna Duo: Piano and percussion duo performs arrangements of Sale Sedlar’s "Savcho III," Avishai Cohen’s "The Ever-Evolving Etude," Tigran Hamasyan’s "Lilac" and Hildur Guõnadóttir’s "Women Talking." 7:30 p.m., UNCSA Watson Hall.

Wednesday, Oct. 2 

Composition Seminar: Martin Bresnick.  10:30 a.m., UNCSA SAAB 101.