Alex Shapiro is the New Frontiers composer-in-residence.
New Frontiers, a celebration of modern classical music and living composers, will feature free nightly concerts Sunday, Sept. 23, through Thursday, Sept 27, at the University of Wyoming.
The Laramie Contemporary Music Project, or New Frontiers, offers free concerts at 7:30 p.m., plus master classes and other events. The New Frontiers 2012 composer-in-residence is Alex Shapiro, who composes acoustic and electro-acoustic pieces known for their lyricism and drama.
“Her music is heard daily in concerts and broadcasts across the U.S. and internationally, and can be found on more than 20 commercially released CDs from record labels around the world,” says Anne Guzzo, New Frontiers co-director. “An enthusiastic leader in the new music community, Alex is a strong advocate for other artists through her speaking appearances, published articles and volunteerism.”
Educated at the Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, Shapiro has received numerous honors and awards including recognition by The American Music Center, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), the American Composers Forum and the California Arts Council. She is the nationally elected concert music representative on the ASCAP Board of Review; is a member of ASCAP's Symphony and Concert Committee; serves on the board of directors of The MacDowell Colony; and chairs the Media Council for New Music USA.
Odd Partials, a clarinet and electronics duo, are special guests and will have their works performed in a special Tuesday concert at the UW Art Museum at 7:30 p.m. UW faculty and students, including large ensembles, will play at the final concert, "New Frontiers: Macro Concert,” which features work by Shapiro, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts concert hall.
The New Frontiers concert schedule:
Sunday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts concert hall -- "New Frontiers: Micro Concert," new music for small ensembles performed by UW Department of Music Faculty members.
Monday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts concert hall -- "New Frontiers: Night of Creation,” featuring Darius Milhaud's "La creation du monde" and music by Shapiro, performed and conducted by UW Department of Music faculty members.
Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., UW Art Museum -- "New Frontiers: Odd Partials Duo,” special guest concert featuring electronics and clarinet in the Art Museum's first gallery.
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts concert hall -- "New Frontiers: Apprentice Concert," showcasing UW students performing 20th- and 21st-century music.
Thursday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts concert hall -- "New Frontiers: Macro Concert," featuring new compositions for large ensemble music by Shapiro and others.
Other events are Tuesday, Sept. 25, 1:10 p.m., Fine Arts concert hall -- Odd Partials presents a lecture and demonstration on performing and improvising with electronics and acoustic instruments; and Thursday, Sept. 27, 1:10 p.m., Fine Arts concert hall -- Alex Shapiro hosts an open discussion.
For more information, call the UW music department at (307) 766-5242, or email Guzzo at guzzo@uwyo.edu.
