IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2008
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:

Office: 724.738.4854

Cell: 724.991.8302

                                                                                                                   gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

Kaleidoscope 2008

Slippery Rock University hosts Grammy winner Libby Larsen 

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Libby Larsen, the Grammy-Award winning producer and composer of more than 200 songs, is heading to Slippery Rock University for an April 28-29 residency as part of the University’s Kaleidoscope arts festival.

            She will meet with music students, give a talk on contemporary composers, lead a panel discussion on music education and attend a free performance of her music presented by SRU students and faculty members at 7:30 p.m. April 28 in Swope Music Hall.

            Larsen received a Grammy for producing the CD “The Art of Arlene Auger.” USA Today selected her opera “Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus” as one of the eight best classic music events.  She has served residencies with the California Institute of the Arts, the Arnold Schoenberg Institute, the Philadelphia School of the Arts, the Cincinnati Conservatory, the Minnesota Orchestra and others.

            “Libby Larsen is one of America’s most performed living composers,” said Nanette Kaplan Solomon, the SRU professor of music who arranged her residency. “Her catalogue spans virtually every genre, from intimate vocal and chamber music to massive orchestral and choral scores.”

            The April 28 concert will feature “Overture for a New Century” by the SRU Orchestra, directed by Warren Davidson, instructor of music. The SRU Wind Ensemble will perform “Strut,” directed by Brian Meixner, instructor of music. The SRU Brass Ensemble will perform “River Fanfare” and the SRU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers will perform several selections, conduced by Stephen Barr, SRU assistant professor of music.

            Several SRU faculty members will perform as well, including Warren Davidson on violin, Stacey Steele on flute, Paula Tuttle on cello, Jeffrey Mangone on bass, Kaplan Solomon on piano, Jeremy Long on saxophone, Terry Steele on clarinet and Colleen Neubert as a vocalist. 

            A number of other free events are planned for her two-day visit. 

            Larsen, a dynamic speaker and arts advocate, will give a talk titled “The 21st Century Composer” at 12:30 p.m. April 29 in Swope Recital Hall.

            She will lead a free panel discussion on the composer as educator at 2:30 p.m. April 29 in Swope Recital Hall. Other participants include composer David Stock, a Duquesne University music faculty member, and Nancy Galbraith, a Carnegie Mellon faculty member.

            Larsen’s residency is made possible in part through the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, a local decision-making program of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency.  PPA is administered in this region by the Venango Center for Creative Development.

            Kaleidoscope is April 16-29 and will include concerts by more than 25 musical acts, poetry readings, a Children’s Day and Kaleidoscope on Main town event. For a complete schedule of events visit www.sru.edu.

 Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.