NEW DIRECTIONS FOR PERCUSSION CHAMBER MUSIC
In its third iteration, the Aries Composers Festival will focus on collaborative works for percussion. Inspired by the pioneering works of masters such as Varese, Xenakis, and Cage, ten composers will be selected who have composed significant works for percussion ensemble with additional instruments or chamber works involving percussion. Each of these composers will receive an honorarium based on their age, education, and experience: three undergraduate composers, three graduate and early professional composers, and four professional composers (over 35).
Additionally, presentations on contemporary percussion music and electroacoustic works for percussion will be featured. The renowned Colorado State University Percussion Studio under the direction of Dr. Eric Hollenbeck will perform the selected works in conjunction with the CSU applied music faculty.
Additionally, presentations on contemporary percussion music and electroacoustic works for percussion will be featured. The renowned Colorado State University Percussion Studio under the direction of Dr. Eric Hollenbeck will perform the selected works in conjunction with the CSU applied music faculty.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Aries Composers Festival is a three-day event that welcomes renowned composers from throughout the United States and abroad to the campus of Colorado State University. Originally known as the Rocky Mountain Contemporary Music Festival, many world famous composers have visited and worked with CSU students in rehearsals, concerts, lectures, and masterclasses including most recently Michael Daugherty and Libby Larsen.
Beginning in 2011, a new vision for the festival brings multiple guest composers as well as music theorists, musicologists, and other researchers interested in new music. Festival events include concerts, with forces ranging from a full symphony orchestra to electroacoustic media, along with lectures, paper presentations, receptions, and panel discussions.
In 2011, principal guest composers were Alex Shapiro and Stephen Paulus who presented the ASCAP Composer Career Workshop on November 6, 2011. Also, the nationally and internationally recognized new music group The Fountain City Ensemble presented a concert and masterclasses during the festival. You can read more about them and the workshop at the Guest Artists and ASCAP Workshop sections of this site. In 2013, the second Aries Composers Festival welcomed Pulitzer-prize-winning composer Michael Colgrass to campus along with renowned Canadian composer Andrew MacDonald and the acclaimed Oasis Quartet.
All events will be held in the state-of-the-art University Center for the Arts which is a $45 million "campus for the arts" that combines facilities for music, theatre, dance, and visual arts.
Beginning in 2011, a new vision for the festival brings multiple guest composers as well as music theorists, musicologists, and other researchers interested in new music. Festival events include concerts, with forces ranging from a full symphony orchestra to electroacoustic media, along with lectures, paper presentations, receptions, and panel discussions.
In 2011, principal guest composers were Alex Shapiro and Stephen Paulus who presented the ASCAP Composer Career Workshop on November 6, 2011. Also, the nationally and internationally recognized new music group The Fountain City Ensemble presented a concert and masterclasses during the festival. You can read more about them and the workshop at the Guest Artists and ASCAP Workshop sections of this site. In 2013, the second Aries Composers Festival welcomed Pulitzer-prize-winning composer Michael Colgrass to campus along with renowned Canadian composer Andrew MacDonald and the acclaimed Oasis Quartet.
All events will be held in the state-of-the-art University Center for the Arts which is a $45 million "campus for the arts" that combines facilities for music, theatre, dance, and visual arts.
ABOUT FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
Less than an hour from downtown Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Denver International Airport, Fort Collins is a vibrant small city of approximately 250,000 individuals. Known for its superior recreational and cultural offerings, the city is frequently cited as one of top places to live in the United States by the media such as Money Magazine, Forbes Magazine, and CNN. More information is available at www.fcgov.com