[Ed. note from Arlene and Larry Dunn: Members of ICE will perform as special guests with the Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble at DiMenna Center in New York on Friday, January 18. We asked our friend Will Roane, social media maven at Oberlin Conservatory, to write us a preview.]
Impressions from Row G
by Arlene and Larry Dunn (@ICEfansArleneLD)
Let’s talk about ICE and its history with CME, Oberlin Conservatory’s Contemporary Music Ensemble.
Oh, wait. There’s way too much to say for one blog post. Good point.
So let’s talk about ICE’s upcoming performance at the DiMenna Center with the CME. That’s more doable. This concert marks a special occasion for the two ensembles. ICE, now mature and strong, grew out of the nurturing, yet rigorous, environment of the CME. But because ICE has done so well in its ten years of existence, it’s not difficult to see that the ensemble now has a chance to give back to the members of the CME.
How?
Why, through the invaluable chance for Oberlin Conservatory students to share the stage with professional musicians of ICE (many of whom are OC alumni) who are making a meaningful mark on the contemporary music scene through innovation in all areas - including programming, performance, and their organizational model. But, of course, both ensembles most look forward to bringing music that they love to everyone who can squeeze into the sold-out DiMenna Center.
The concerts will feature John Zorn’s The Tempest, featuring ICE founder Claire Chase (OC '01) on flute, Joshua Rubin, (OC '99 on clarinet, and Nathan Davis on percussion. Claire Chase will also perform in Alter of Two Serpents by Mario Diaz De Leon (OC '04). ICE member and OC Professor of Violin David Bowlin (OC ’00) will be the featured violin soloist for Luciano Berio’s Corale. Additionally, the DiMenna Center will fill with the sounds of Lament for Réjà Vu by Tom Lopez (OC '88), OC visiting Professor of Composition Eric Wubbles’s Alphabeta (featuring ICE's Ross Karre, '05, on percussion, and Jacob Greenberg, '96, on piano) OC Composer-in-Residence David Lang’s Sweet Air, and Compline, by Christopher Rouse (OC ’71).
The CME + ICE performances are just one of four concerts by Oberlin ensembles in New York next week. There’s more information at www.oberlin.edu/nyc2013tour. See you in New York!
[Update: the 8:00pm concert has sold out! You can still reserve tickets for the 10pm program by emailing public.programs@oberlin.edu.]