Steve Reich at 80: Music for 18 Musicians -- Special Laidlaw Concert March 23

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Posted on March 9, 2016 by Keith Bohnet

Keith Bohnet

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On Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, USA's Department of Music is pleased to present the third installment of concerts celebrating the music of the world-renowned, Pulitzer Prize winning, American composer Steve Reich. 2016 marks the 80th birthday of Mr. Reich, and as a result the Department of Music will be commemorating the composer's lifelong contributions to the world of contemporary classical music through a series of four, retrospective concerts. Each installment highlights a specific stylistic period of Mr. Reich's artistic output.

The March 23 concert will feature Reich's landmark chamber work from 1976 entitled Music for 18 Musicians. USA percussion professor, Dr. Luis Rivera, in collaboration with other faculty and students from the department, will take the stage for this hour-long work that consists of pianos, clarinets, strings, voices, and percussion. Several music scholars attribute Music for 18 Musicians as the work that catapulted Reich into the American contemporary scene, and it is after this point in his early career that he begins to primarily compose larger works for various ensembles of unconventional combinations of instruments. Please join us for what will surely be an exciting evening looking back at one of our most influential figures in classical music history.

Tickets for this Musical Arts Series event will be sold at the door only.  Admission is $8 general and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens (cash or check only).  Persons needing more information about this event or in need of special accommodation may call (251) 460-7116 or (251) 460-6136.

Need directions to Laidlaw?  Just go to Google Maps at www.maps.google.com and enter "USA Laidlaw Performing Arts Center."  We're actually on the corner of University Blvd. and USA Drive South.

Musical Arts Series Season Pass Holders may now reserve their place at concerts if they contact events coordinator Keith Bohnet by 5:00 p.m. the day previous to the event!  Call (251) 460-7116 or email kbohnet@southalabama.edu.  Please mention the amount of seats needed AND be sure you are planning on being in place at least 20 minutes in advance of the concert!  (Pass Holders only please!  Held seats not claimed within 20 minutes of the performance may be offered to other concert attendees.)

For information on how to join the Musical Arts Society, visit our website at www.southalabama.edu/music and click on "events and programs" to see everything you need to know about the Musical Arts Concert Series and USA's Musical Arts Society.

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