New Music: the neXt festival of contemporary music

TICKETS: $10, $5 for UGA students with ID

The University of Georgia Wind Ensemble will present the “neXt festival of contemporary music” on Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. in Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall.

“The neXt festival juxtaposes the works of three rising stars in contemporary music—Michael Ippolito, Jess Turner and John Leszczynski—with pieces by two icons in contemporary music, Karel Husa and John Harbison,” said John P. Lynch, a UGA professor, director of bands and conductor of the Wind Ensemble. “It’s important that we show audiences that wind ensemble repertoire is very much alive, vibrant and evolving; and that’s why we’ve chosen to showcase contemporary music in this concert.”

The performance will include the world premiere of Ippolito’s “West of the Sun,” along with Turner’s “Through the Looking Glass,” Leszczynski’s “Scherzo a la Britten,” Husa’s Concerto for Saxophone featuring UGA faculty member Connie Frigo and Harbison’s “Three City Blocks.”

Before the concert, Ippolito, Turner and Leszczynski will join members of the UGA composition faculty for a public roundtable discussion of new directions in music. The three guest composers will also speak to the audience before their works are performed.

General admission is $10 and $5 for students with a valid UGACard. To purchase tickets, see the Performing Arts Center box office, call 706/542-4400 or see http://tickets.perfcenter.uga.edu/single/eventDetail.aspx?p=582 .