Nexus Performs at Rice University on the Shepherd School of Music, Composition Department Concert Series SYZYGY – New Music at Rice in Stude Concert Hall
An instantaneous and spontaneous standing ovation greeted the end of the Nexus concert at Rice University on January 17, 2003.
The new touring program of NEXUS consists of arrangements of Toru Takemitsu songs by members of NEXUS; a new work by Bob Becker, “Away without Leave” based on Duke’s Lullaby by Steve Gadd, the traditional Army 2/4, and Crazy Army by Ed Lenley; Steve Reich’s “Drumming Part I”; a new four-part suite by Russell Hartenberger entitled “The Invisible Proverb”; the Zimbabwean-based mbira song arrangement “Tongues”; and two novelty ragtime selections, “Valse Brillante” and “Bye Bye Medley” arranged by Bob Becker.
On Thursday afternoon, immediately following the clinic “Composing and Performing Contemporary Music for Percussion” given by Robin Engelman for students and teachers of the composition faculty, a master class for the students of Richard Brown was held in Stude Concert Hall.
Composition and composer followed by performer:
Allegro Mvt. from a CPE Bach Sonata for flute – Brian Smith
“Ultimatum” by Zivkovic – Brian Vogel
“Cold Pressed” (Multiple solo) by Dave Holinden – Cory Cousins
“Mudra” by Bob Becker – Brian Vogel solo, with Evan Bertrand, Shaun Tilberg, Cory Cousins, Spencer Doty
Mvt. 1 Tanaka – Blaine Inafuku
“Mirage” – Shaun Tilberg
“Monograph IV” – Spencer Doty
“Sarabande” from Bach D minor Suite – Craig Hauschildt
The master class was attended by local students and percussionists, including University of Houston Percussion Program Supervisor, Blake Wilkens.
Thursday night the acting chair of the music department and composers from the faculty treated Nexus to a dinner at one of Houston’s many fine restaurants.
Friday noon, Bob Becker gave a xylophone workshop, “Xylophone History and Performance Concepts”, and later that day Nexus rehearsed and sound and light checked its concert. Â Saturday, Bill Cahn gave his workshop, “Creative Music Making” and Saturday night Nexus had dinner with Richard Brown, his wife Susan, Brian DelSignore (Principal percussion with the Houston Symphony Orchestra) and his wife Leah and Lauren Vogel Weiss and Ron Weiss who had flown in Friday from Dallas.
