On Wednesday, December 10, 2003, Denison students present their newly composed works in a concert of student compositions at 8 p.m. in Burke Recital Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

Fourteen Denison students will present the compositions that they have been working on this semester with Assistant Professor of Music Ching-chu Hu in a concert performed by some of the student composers as well as their colleagues from various music ensembles.

The students having their work performed are: Seth Rogers, Jared Thompson, Michael Berlin, Andy Juechter, Emily Baker, Steve Mokris, Aaron Blain, Evan Johnston, Michael Akhbari, Aaron Fuleki, Ethan McGory, Alexandra Kirkilis, Jordan Fehr, and Max Marshall.

"It's a great mix of styles and sounds," says Ching-chu Hu. "The students have worked very hard, and it is always impressive to see the range of styles in which they write." This concert will feature jazz tunes written by Jared Thompson, Seth Rogers, Ethan McGory, and Max Marshall. "They all play in a jazz combo together, so it was natural for them to write pieces that are in the jazz style or inspired by jazz." Having found his inspiration in Frederic Chopin's "Piano Nocturne" McGory's work is titled, "Choppin'."

Emily Baker, who is graduating early this December, has written three songs titled "Three Little Water Songs" using the poems of Therese Plantier. These songs are different in style from one another, and Emily chose varying chamber instruments to accompany the vocal line, which she will sing. From piano, to strings, to guitar, Emily created three distinct moods. Michael Akhbari wrote a pop song using text by a friend.

There also will be a few electronic works on the concert. Jordan Fehr used a poem by T.S. Eliot and Steve Mokris has written a work as an ode to Alexander Graham Bell. "The audience might be intrigued by the 'performers' for this work," teases Ching-chu Hu. "I suggest you come to the concert just to see what Steve has come up with this semester." Aaron Fuleki wrote a work that sampled string sounds and through which "Aaron has woven a tapestry of sounds and rhythms." Alexandra Kirkilis's composition is inspired by colors.

Evan Johnston, Andy Juechter, and Michael Berlin have all written for large ensembles. From hip-hop to African drumming and big band music, they all have shaped the music to fit their inspiration.

Ching-chu Hu is assistant professor and holds degrees from Yale University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Michigan. He is active both as a composer and a performer of new music and has received both composition and orchestral conducting degrees. He has received performances at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C., and the Alternativa Festival in Moscow, as well as performances in England, Austria, and venues around the United States.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

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