Da Capo Chamber Players in Residence

The Naumberg Award winning Da Capo Chamber Players, one of New York City’s most longstanding and preeminent new music ensembles, will be in residence at USM for three days to present a public concert, readings and recordings of student works, a master class, and a public lecture. 

Since its founding in 1970, the Da Capo Chamber Players has established itself as one of the foremost new music groups in the United States.  The group’s mission is to give new works the dedicated attention and exciting performances consistent with the highest musical standards in traditional repertoire.  Da Capo is a leader in building a strong heritage of present-day American chamber music: the group is known not only for exceptional artistry but also for the wealth of new compositions written for them. 

Over the years, more than 80 chamber music works have been written especially for them by composers ranging from Philip Glass to Milton Babbit, Joan Tower, Jeffrey Mumford, and Su Lian Tan. The residency by this Naumberg Award-winning ensemble will coincide with many activities and events that will be very beneficial to students, faculty, and staff, and interesting to the public.

For their concert on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 7:30 p.m., the Da Capo Chamber Players will be joined by two-time Naumberg Award-winning soprano Lucy Shelton, in a performance of Arnold Schoenberg’s seminal masterpiece Pierrot Lunaire, on the occasion of the work’s 100^th anniversary. Additionally, they will premiere a new work by USM Resident Composer Daniel Sonenberg, commissioned for this residency.

Founded by composer Joan Tower, and regularly in residence at Bard College since its inception, the ensemble has a long tradition and copious experience working with student composers. During their time at USM, they will read and record student compositions in sessions open to the public that are guaranteed to be enlightening.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013
7:30 p.m.
Da Capo Chamber Players Residency Concert
$15/$10/$5, (207) 780-5555, or http://www.usm.maine.edu/music/boxoffice

Wednesday, March 20, 2013
2 p.m.
Da Capo Chamber Players Master Class
$6 at the door

Thursday, March 21, 2013
11 a.m.
Da Capo Chamber Players Public Lecture
Free and open to the public

For more information about programs and events at the USM School of Music, visit usm.maine.edu/music, write to music@usm.maine.edu, or call (207) 780-5265.

This program is sponsored by the USM Gorham Cultural Affairs Committee, and made possible in part with public funds from the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Members of the Press and those needing special accommodations to participate fully in this program, contact Lori Arsenault, (207) 780-5142, larsenault@usm.maine.edu. Hearing impaired: call USM's telex / TDD number (207) 780-5646