Denison University’s third Tutti New Music Festival, March 26 to 28, features powerful music by more than 30 living composers, performed at six concerts during the three-day event. Highlights include composer Derek Bermel, the Brave New Works ensemble, and a Vail Series concert by the Brooklyn Rider Quartet, which is returning to campus by popular demand after an electrifying performance at Denison last year as the “friends” in the Vail Series concert Yo-Yo Ma & Friends.

“This festival brings together vibrant musicians and influences literally from around the world,” says Ching-chu Hu, associate professor of music at Denison and internationally recognized composer. “It’s an unusual opportunity not only to hear this music live, but also to meet its performers and composers. To have Denison’s Vail Series involved makes it that much more extraordinary.”

The festival is sponsored by Denison’s Department of Music, Vail Series, Academic Lecture Fund and McGregor Connections Initiative.

In addition to six concert performances, the festival offers open rehearsals, master classes and dialogue opportunities, so that the public can see “behind the scenes” in the production and performance of new music. A full schedule of open-to-the-public events is available at Denison's Department of Music.

Highlighted artists and events include the following:

Brave New Works is a national ensemble of 10 musicians that is dedicated to the discovery of new sounds and ideas. Chris Kim, who is returning to campus after a previous visit to conduct for acclaimed pianist Yuja Wang in spring 2008, will conduct Brave New Works, as well as a joint performance of Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915” with the Denison University Symphony Orchestra. They also will premier works by HyeKyung Lee, assistant professor of music, and by Ching-chu Hu, who has set Professor David Baker’s poem “Snow Figure” for soprano and ensemble.

Brave New Works’ appearances include a concert at noon on Thursday, March 26, in Herrick Hall (500 West Loop); an open rehearsal Thursday night at 8 p.m. in Burke Recital Hall (240 West Broadway); an open rehearsal at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 27, in Burke Recital Hall; and a concert at 8 p.m. Friday night in Burke Recital Hall.

Featured composer Derek Bermel is an American composer, conductor and clarinetist, whose works draw from a rich variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, pop, rock, blues, folk and gospel.

Among Bermel’s compositions being performed throughout the weekend are “Three Songs on Poems by Wendy S. Walters,” performed by Chapel Program Music Director Kevin Wines (tenor) and Assistant Professor of Music Wei Cheng (piano); “Themes and Absurdities for clarinet,” performed by Robert Jones, studio instructor and Columbus Symphony Orchestra clarinetist; and “Passing Through, ” performed by the Brooklyn Rider Quartet.

The Brooklyn Rider Quartet is a multi-faceted string quartet known for its creative programming and exciting collaborations. All of the quartet’s musicians—Johnny Gandelsman, violin, Colin Jacobsen, violin, Nicholas Cords, viola, and Eric Jacobsen, cello—have enjoyed diverse careers in music that have intersected with each other over many years. The group appeared at Denison with Yo-Yo Ma last year and has a longstanding association with Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, a group dedicated to exploring the cultural intersections of the peoples along the ancient trade route.

The Brooklyn Rider Quartet’s residency will include an open rehearsal and “dialogue” at noon on Friday, March 27, in Herrick Hall (500 West Loop). The quartet’s Vail Series concert is at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, in Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Drive). A limited number of tickets for this concert will be available to the public. Call 740-587-6557 for information.

All other events other than the Vail Series concert are free and open to the public. For more information about “Tutti,” go to Denison's Department of Music, or call 740-587-6220.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville — Tutti New Music Festival concert with Brave New Works ensemble. Noon, Thurs., March 26, in Herrick Hall (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6220.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville — Tutti New Music Festival open rehearsal and “dialogue” with The Brooklyn Rider Quartet at noon on Friday, March 27, in Herrick Hall (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6557.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville — Tutti New Music Festival concert with music department faculty and guest artists at 3 p.m. on Fri., March 27, in Herrick Hall (500 West Loop). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6220.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville — Tutti New Music Festival concert with ensemble Brave New Works at 8 p.m. on Fri., March 27, in Burke Recital Hall (240 West Broadway). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6220.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville — Tutti New Music Festival concert with music department faculty and guest artists at 10 a.m. on Sat., March 28, in Burke Recital Hall (240 West Broadway). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6220.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville — Tutti New Music Festival concert with music department faculty and guest artists at 3 p.m. on Sat., March 28, in Burke Recital Hall (240 West Broadway). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6220.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville — Tutti New Music Festival/Vail Series concert featuring The Brooklyn Rider Quartet at 8 p.m. on Sat., March 28, in Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Drive). Students have priority for tickets, which are then made available to the general public for $15 when space allows. Ticket information can be found online at vailseries.org, or by calling 740-587-6557.

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.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575