‘Music’ of Shakespeare comes to CCU’s Wheelwright Auditorium
In addition to music inspired by and based on the texts of William Shakespeare by classical and contemporary composers, this concert will feature the world premiere of two original, unpublished compositions by music faculty members at CCU. "Two from Twelfth" by Donald Sloan, professor of music and director of CCU's master's degree program in liberal studies, and "Sonnet 116" by Andrew Fowler, teaching associate of music theory and music director of Trinity United Methodist Church and the South Strand Chorus, are the featured works.
Sloan's "Two From Twelfth" is based on two famous passages from "Twelfth Night," which is perhaps the most musical of Shakespeare's plays. The two passages, "If music be the food of love" and "Come away, come away, Death," are set in the spirit of the madrigals of the time, but translated to a more modern style. The flute choir exchanges phrases with the voices, adding a kind of musical dialogue between the groups.
"Sonnet 116," one of Shakespeare's most famous love sonnets, was first published in 1609 and its "perfect structure and form" appealed to Fowler. "As a composer, I enjoy writing works that challenge the performers, yet allow them to 'own' the music," he says. "Through that ownership, the work can be well performed, and then I hope listeners will be drawn into the work as it unfolds."
Sloan is an award-winning composer of vocal, orchestra and chamber music, including the Brian Israel Young Composers Award for his "Five Flights of Fancy" and the Ohio Composer of the Year for 1998 by the Ohio Music Teachers Association for "Or Zarua." He came to Coastal Carolina University after 16 years on the faculty at Ashland University, where he was professor of music, chair of the music department, and director of the theory and composition programs. In addition to his work as a composer, Sloan has also been active in the field of computer music standards.
A noted composer, Fowler serves on the music faculty at CCU, where he teaches theory and aural skills. His compositions have been performed throughout the United States and Europe. His "Directions for Singing" had its world premiere at Avery Fisher Hall in New York's Lincoln Center in 2007. Fowler has also served on the faculties of Auburn University at Montgomery and the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his Ph.D.
Wheelwright Auditorium is located at 108 Spadoni Park Circle in Conway. Tickets cost $5 for adults; $4 for senior citizens, alumni and CCU faculty/staff; and $3 for CCU students.
For tickets, call the Wheelwright Box Office at 843-349-ARTS (2787). The box office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.