Composers Festival spotlight: Wang Lu

Born in Xi’an, the ancient capital of China, 2016 MICF resident composer Wang Lu was raised as part of a musical family immersed in Chinese opera and folk music traditions, and her works "reflect a very natural identification with those influences, through the prism of contemporary instrumental techniques and new sonic possibilities." An assistant professor…

Composers Festival spotlight: Daniel Silliman

2016 Mizzou International Composers Festival resident composer Daniel Silliman was born in Syracuse, NY and grew up in Katy, TX, near Houston. He began studying piano as a child, and upon graduating high school, enrolled in the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles, where his composition teachers included Andrew Norman, who was a…

Composers Festival spotlight: Wang A Mao

Coming originally from China, Wang A Mao had to travel a long way from home to study composing in the United States. But her journey to Columbia to serve as one of the eight resident composers for this year's Mizzou International Composers Festival was considerably shorter, for as the latest festival participant from the University…

Composers Festival spotlight: Trey Makler

Originally from Farmington, Missouri, Trey Makler is Mizzou's representative among this year's group of eight resident composers at the Mizzou International Composers Festival. Makler (pictured) just completed his senior year in Columbia, earning his bachelor's degree studying composition with Stefan Freund and oboe with Dan Willett. While an undergraduate, he has served as vice-president of…

Composers Festival spotlight: Erin Gee

The innovative composer of vocal music Erin Gee is one of the two distinguished guest composers at this year's Mizzou International Composers Festival. In that capacity, she'll give a public presentation on her music; teach and interact informally with the festival's eight resident composers; and be in the audience for performances of her work in…

Composers Festival spotlight: Ryan Lindveit

Resident composer Ryan Lindveit comes to this summer's Mizzou International Composers Festival with a brand new bachelor of music degree in composition from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, from which he graduated summa cum laude this spring and was selected as Salutatorian for the class of 2016. Lindveit (pictured) also was…

Composers Festival spotlight: Missouri Saxophone Quartet

In addition to a performance by the Mizzou New Music Ensemble, the Friday night concert of the Mizzou International Composers Festival usually features one or more guest artists, and this year's "Mizzou New Music" concert will include some selections from the Missouri Saxophone Quartet. Formed in 2009, the MSQ includes Leo Saguiguit (soprano sax), Adrianne…

Composers Festival spotlight: Mary Kouyoumdjian

Although composer Mary Kouyoumdjian was born in the USA, her music definitely is informed by perspectives from beyond its' borders. As a first generation Armenian-American from a family directly affected by the Lebanese civil war and Armenian genocide, Kouyoumdjian uses a sonic palette that, in her words, "draws on her heritage, interest in music as…