Grateful to the conductors below for making this new work Congo Square possible. Its coming along. The old world, new world, and future all wrapped into one. Press Release: A consortium of 15 universities has commissioned noted composer James Syler to compose a large work for wind ensemble based on the historic New Orleans site “Congo Square”. The consortium is being organized and led by Dr. Michael Votta of the University of Maryland School of Music. Composed under the influence of Charles Ives Three Places in New England, this work will be the prequel in a trilogy that began 20 years ago called Three Places in Jazz: Congo Square, Storyville, Minton’s Playhouse. Beginning in the 1740’s, enslaved African’s were freed on Sunday afternoons to drum, sing, and dance in what became known as Congo Square located behind the French Quarter in the vicinity of today’s Louis Armstrong Park. By the early 1800’s these gatherings grew to as many as 600 and became popular with locals and tourists. Congo Square and it’s music greatly influenced what would become early jazz in New Orleans and is considered by many as a vital cradle of American music The work’s first premiere will be Friday, February 27, 2015 by Dr. Votta and the University of Maryland Wind Orchestra who will perform all three works together. The consortium and their conductors consist of the University of Maryland - Michael Votta, Baylor University - Eric Wilson, Boston University - David Martins, Bowling Green State University - Bruce Moss, Eastman School of Music - Mark Scatterday, Miami University - Gary Speck, University of Nebraska - Carolyn Barber, University of North Carolina Greensboro - John Locke, University of Louisiana Lafayette - William Hochkepple, West Chester University - Andrew Yozviak, University of Washington - Tim Salzman.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 00:17:57 +0000
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