Overture

Marimba Quartet to Premier Percussion Composition 10/28/08

Oct 26, 2008 Alumni/Emeriti, Music Ed, Music Tech, Theory/History, Winds/Perc
Posted by music

The UCM Marimba Quartet, under the direction of Dr. Michael Sekelsky, will premier a percussion ensemble work on Tuesday, October 28, 3:00 pm in Hart Recital Hall, as part of the “Crime and Pop Culture” conference hosted by the UCM Department of Criminal Justice. 

Dr. Trent Hanna and Jiletta Kubena will present Tatitlek, Alaska: An Exploration of Environmental Crime and Composition Inspired by the Exxon Valdez Devastation, based on the Indigenous Music of Tatitlek and Chenega Bay.  With the 20th Anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill approaching, Ms. Kubena reexamines the victimization of Alaskan natives and the eco system of the Prince William Sound.  She will explore how crime, victimization, and art can work together within the study of criminology and criminal justice.  Her presentation will be followed by an original composition by Dr. Hanna which focuses on the natural elements of the Sound and the effect the Exxon Valdez oil spill had on the area.  The programmatic piece is composed for four percussionists and uses melodic and rhythmic elements from Quyannanana, a popular piece from the indigenous people of the area. 

Ian McClaflin, sophomore music performance major
Tess Schurder, junior music education major
Owen Taylor, senior music technology major
Annie Wills, senior music technology major

Trent Hanna has been awarded for his achievements both as a composer and performer. He currently serves as the Theory and Composition Coordinator at Sam Houston State University’s School of Music, where he teaches advanced theory and composition courses. His original works have been commissioned and performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Recently his composition Dorland (for solo piano) won first prize in the Contemporary Japanese and American Music Composition Competition resulting in a premiere performance in Yonago, Japan. Dr. Hanna conducted his Fanfare for Peace in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary in 2003, and premiered his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with the Sam Houston State University Symphony Orchestra in 2004. As a pianist, Dr. Hanna has performed extensively as soloist with various symphony orchestras, most recently with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra. In the spring of 2007, Dr. Hanna released a full-length CD of original works for solo piano entitled Sojournal. Dr. Hanna received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin, and both his Master of Music degree in Composition and his Bachelor of Music degree in Theory/Composition and Piano Performance from Sam Houston State University. He is currently a member of the Society of Composers, and has been awarded artist residencies at the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony (California), the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Villa Montalvo (California), the Isle Royale Artists-in- Residence Program (Michigan), and The Djerassi Resident Artists Program (California).