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October 25, 2004

Nation’s top modern musicians
perform in Festival of
New American Music

• Full Schedule
• Composer Rands highlight of Festival of New American Music

The Festival of New American Music returns to California State University, Sacramento Nov. 3 to 14 for its 27th year, making it one of the nation’s longest running annual events dedicated to contemporary music.

Keith Terry

A dazzling array of visiting, local and Sacramento State new music artists and composers will take the stage during the festival in venues ranging from the University’s Music Recital Hall to downtown Sacramento’s Westminster Presbyterian Church. Other offerings include lectures, classes and presentations at area community colleges and schools. All festival events are free and open to the public.

Visiting performers include guitar virtuosos Elliot Fisk and David Starobin, known worldwide for their innovative approaches to the instrument; the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, winner of seven ASCAP awards for adventurous programming; and Earplay, a group dedicated to playing new American chamber music. Self-described “body musician” Keith Terry, who uses his own body as his instrument,

soprano Tony Arnold and jazz pianist Kenny Werner will also perform.

Bernard Rands

Visiting composers Robert Beaser, Jerome Begin, George Crumb, Kathleen Ginther and Bernard Rands will be on hand to present major modern musical works as well as to discuss the compositions in forums and pre-concert talks.

Closer to home, Sacramento-region new music acts Curv’d Aire, the Fair Oaks Woodwind Quintet and the Sacramento Experimental Music Group will take the stage. Sacramento State will be represented by its Festival Ensemble, a faculty group, the Liberace Woodwind Quintet and the Sacramento State Symphonic Wind Ensemble, along with smaller groups and other faculty and staff artists.

The festival’s gala opening concert, simulcast on Capital Public Radio’s KXPR 90.9 FM, starts the 12-day event at 8 p.m., Nov. 3 in the Music Recital Hall in the Capistrano Hall. A full schedule of events is available at www.csus.edu/events.

The 2004 Festival of New American Music is dedicated to the memory of festival founder and Sacramento State professor emeritus Gene Savage.

For more information, call the Sacramento State music department at (916) 278-5155. Media assistance is available from public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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