Posted by Mary Wimberley on 2009-02-19

Composer Libby Larsen will be in residence at Samford University March 1-5 to conduct master classes and lead rehearsals for a performance of her work.

The concert, presented as part of the Samford School of the Arts' Davis Architects Guest Artist Series, will be Thursday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. in Brock Recital Hall. Performers are all Samford student and faculty musicians.

One of America's most performed living composers, Larsen has created more than 400 works representing genres from intimate vocal and chamber music to massive orchestral works. She has composed 12 operas.

"Libby Larsen is one of America's great musical treasures," said Samford Dean of the Arts Dr. Joseph Hopkins. "The opportunity to spend time in composition study, performance, and more casual conversations with this influential leader in the arts could be a defining moment in a college career.

"I look forward to how she will challenge all of us to think about music, composition and culture," said Hopkins.

Larsen's awards include a 1994 Grammy as producer of the CD, The Art of Arlene Auger, a recording that features Larsen's Sonnets from the Portuguese. Her opera, "Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus," was selected as one of the eight best classical music events of 1990 by USA Today.

The Samford program will include Larsen's "Music Boxes," a family story by Meredith Alden for five hands piano and storyteller, "Gavel Patter" for four-hand piano, "Penta Metrics" for solo piano, "Beneath These Alien Stars" performed by Samford's A Cappella Choir, "Holy Roller" for alto saxophone and piano, and other selections.

Larsen will offer some commentary during the concert.

Admission is $20 adult, $15 senior adult (55-plus), and $10 student/child. Tickets are available at www.samfordartstickets.com or (205) 726-2853.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.