Department of Fine Arts, The College of Arts and Sciences, VPA co-sponsor Music and Nature Symposium Sept. 23-24

Department of Fine Arts, The College of Arts and Sciences, VPA co-sponsor Music and Nature Symposium Sept. 23-24August 31, 2006Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

The Department of Fine Arts, The College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) at Syracuse University will co-sponsor the Music and Nature Symposium Sept. 23-24 with the Society for New Music. The symposium will feature presentations and papers on music and nature, philosophy, ecology, physics and religion from an array of leading music scholars from interdisciplinary backgrounds, including musicology, music theory, composition and conducting. It is free and open to the public.

The Music and Nature Symposium will culminate with a premiere performance of “Sound/Path/Field,” a commissioned work by internationally renowned composer Robert Morris. A large-scale piece to be played outdoors in natural surroundings, the work will be performed in and around the SU Quad Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. “Sound/Path/Field” is Morris’ newest and most elaborate outdoor composition, commissioned by the Society for New Music in celebration of its 35th anniversary.

Morris, professor of composition at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, has long been interested in the relationship between music and nature, stemming from his time spent hiking in natural surroundings and his interest in non-Western religion, philosophy and aesthetics. His experiences echo those of other composers throughout history, including Beethoven, Bartok, Ives, Messiaen, Cage and Stockhausen, who forged deep connections between music and nature. Their musical endeavors have attracted the attention of scholars. The Music and Nature Symposium aims to add to this growing dialogue.

“Syracuse University is delighted to host this symposium, which offers a unique interdisciplinary dialogue on this burgeoning field of interest. Combining this scholarly gathering with the premiere of Morris’s work makes the symposium all the more special,” says Theo Cateforis, assistant professor of fine arts at SU. Cateforis coordinated the symposium with Amanda Winkler, assistant professor of fine arts.

The performance of “Sound/Path/Field” will feature SU ensembles and performers from the Setnor School of Music in VPA, including the Women’s Choir, University Singers, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band and VPA instructor Olukola Paul Owolabi on the Hendricks Chapel organ. Several local ensembles will also perform.

The ensembles will be stationed and play independently at locations across the Quad, moving from one place to another during the piece. “Canonical Minutes,” a concert piece for organ, and “Society Sound,” a composition for the Society for New Music Chamber Ensemble, will be performed indoors at Hendricks Chapel. The entire piece is conducted by a cycle of notes that will emanate from the Crouse College carillon, played by the SU Chimes Masters.

For more information on the Music and Nature Symposium, contact Cateforis at (315) 443-4835 or tpcatefo@syr.edu. For a schedule of symposium events, visit http://www.societyfornewmusic.org/symposium1.html.