Illinois State University School of Music presents the next events in the fall 2023 Charles W. Bolen Faculty Recital Series, showcasing the artistry and talent of the faculty. The Bolen Faculty Recital Series provides an opportunity for students to see their professors perform as soloists and chamber musicians while bringing outstanding free concerts to the campus and greater community.
Professor Mark Babbitt (trombone) will perform a solo recital with collaborative pianist Lu Witzig on Tuesday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Kemp Recital Hall. The recital will feature works by composers from across the globe, including Mexican composer Odin Zamorano Reyes and Swedish composer Folke Rabe. Dr. Babbitt will also present two “consortium premieres” at the recital. As a member of consortiums which are created to support the commission of new works by living composers—in this case, James Kazik (b. 1974) and Mark Rheaume (b. 1990)—Babbitt and other professional trombonists have exclusive rights to give the first performances of the works before they are released for general publication. The Concerto for Trombone by Illinois native Mark Rheaume uniquely features the use of three different trombones (alto, tenor, and bass).
Instructional Assistant Professor Midori Samson (she/her, bassoon) will be present a lecture recital on Monday, October 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Kemp Recital Hall. “I recently returned from spending two weeks at Aq Tushetii, an artist residency in the remote Caucasus Mountains in the country of Georgia,” says Professor Samson. “I spent the time talking to families, mothers, grandmothers, and local musicians to learn and document old lullabies from the region. Then, I transcribed them for the bassoon and set them to soundscapes of field recordings taken in the surrounding area of Tusheti.” In this lecture recital, Samson will discuss her motivations for this research, the challenges of the project, and her research process. The recital will conclude with a performance of the lullabies with prerecorded soundscapes.
Assistant Professor Igor Kalnin (violin), Professor Katherine Lewis (viola), and Instructional Assistant Professor Cora Swenson Lee (cello) will be joined by graduate violin student Gibson Swalley to present the ISU Faculty String Quartet Recital on Monday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. in Kemp Recital Hall. The quartet will perform a uniquely creative and fun work titled Strum by Jessie Montgomery, a rising superstar composer who currently serves as composer in residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In the second half of the recital, they will be joined by Professor David Gresham (clarinet) for the dramatic and magnificent Clarinet Quintet in B Minor by Johannes Brahms.
For a full listing of Illinois State University School of Music events visit the University events calendar.
If you need an accommodation to fully participate in these events, please contact the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Box Office at (309) 438-2535. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
