Dona nobis pacem, Music for Humans and Electronics, and More: Music at Pomona College Offers A World of Musical Perspectives
This spring, the Pomona College Department of Music’s free concert series will feature music spanning continents and centuries, including the famous Dona nobis pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams for choir and orchestra (Apr. 17/19), works by luminary composers of today such as James Diaz, Kaija Saariaho and Tonia Ko (Feb. 6/7), and a special performance of North Indian classical repertoire by guest artist Srivani Jade (Apr. 4).
The department’s newest faculty member, Ania Vu, takes the reins as director of the annual Ussachevsky Memorial Festival of Electroacoustic Music (Feb. 6/7). Early music mavens Artifex Consort, under artistic leadership of Malachai Komanoff Bandy, will present rarely-heard late 17th-century works by Benjamin Hely, Johannes Schenck, and others (Mar. 27). Faculty artist Genevieve Feiwen Lee (piano) will be joined by guest Tobias Werner (cello) for music by 19th-century French composer Mélanie Bonis along with works by Barber and Beethoven (Feb. 21).
“This semester’s curriculum highlights musical voices from past and present that will be thought-provoking for today’s students and community members alike,” says Joti Rockwell, chair of the music department. He adds, “Sharing live music is a vital part of the academic experience.”
Bridges Hall of Music will resonate with the resplendent sounds of Music for Brass and Organ (Mar. 8) and a solo recital starring William Peterson (Mar. 29) showcasing the spectacular Hill Memorial Organ; a Fête Musicale (Feb. 22) comprising a festive selection of works chosen by faculty; and an Homage to Brahms (Apr. 25). In Lyman Hall, student performers will present Beethoven’s Better Fifth and Ninth (Jan. 30), a Piano Extravaganza (Apr. 11), and a program featuring senior music majors (Apr. 3).
In addition to these performances, the department’s student ensembles—the Pomona College Orchestra, Choir, Concert Band, Glee Club, Jazz Ensemble, Balinese Gamelan and Afro-Cuban Music Ensemble—will offer concerts with music from around the globe.
All the department’s concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Music at Pomona Concert Calendar.