Percussion Ensemble 12/2/22

Repertoire

Time Dilation

Francisco Perez (b. 1990)

Postludes Elliot Cole 6 (b. 1984)

Lux Semitae (“Light the Paths”) Alexis C. Lamb (b. 1993)

Postludes Elliot Cole

(b. 1984)

` Water, Wine, Brandy, Brine Viet Cuong (b. 1990)

Memory Evan Chapman Postludes Elliot Cole

(b. 1984)

Mayhem Daniel Montoya Jr. (b. 1978) UIC

Program Notes

Time Dilation

First predicted by Einstein through his special theory of relativity, “gravitational time dilation” is an astronomical phenomenon whereby it was theorized (and recently proven) that time is not an absolute unit of measure in our universe. Simply put, time dilation indicates that the faster an object in our universe travels, the more the “experience” of time is affected (slower) compared to another object in a different environment. This effect was dramatized in Christo pher Nolan’s film, Interstellar, where an hour-long trek onto a planet near a supermassive blackhole (source of a large amount of gravity) lasted seven years on Earth.

Inspired by this phenomenon, Time Dilation is the result of my light exploration of this effect. Initiating with a 5-count riff, the work’s main motif permeates through a variety of harmonic and polyrhythmic structures to create an energetic atmosphere, dilating back and forth between metric feels.

Time Dilation was commissioned by James Campbell for the PASIC 2019 Collegiate All-Star Percussion Ensemble.

- Notes from the composer

Postludes

Postludes is a book of eight pieces for a familiar instrument played in a new way. Four players, with eight dou ble-bass bows, play interlocking lines on a single vibraphone. The interplay of bows and hands tapping, muting and touching harmonics, weaves an intimate and intricate counterpoint that is as beautiful to watch as it is to hear: fragile, tender and haunting.

Postludes 1-5 were premiered at Princeton University by So Percussion on May 1, 2012. 6-8 were premiered at the So Percussion Summer Institute by Drew Warden, Ellery Trafford, Tai-Jung Tsai, and Chris Sies.

- Notes from the composer

Lux Semitae (“Light the Paths”)

The year 2020 has presented many students in school with a number of extremely difficult challenges, from the outbreaks of COVID-19, to relearning how to work or study online, to racial and social justice issues within America and how these relate to their coursework. However, Benjamin Perez’s perseverance and optimism that he provides for his students continues to inspire and encourage them to achieve excellence. Lux Semitae is a commentary on overcoming chaos and obstacles that appear in our lives. These students will be the lights that continue to shine on in our world.

Notes from the composer

Program Notes cont.

Water, Wine, Brandy, Brine

In 1641 a Jesuit scholar and priest named Athanasius Kircher published Magnes (Magnets), a work that discussed various forms of attraction and, unsurprisingly, magnetism. One chapter, titled “the magnetism of music,” details an experiment in which he fills four wine glasses with liquids of various densities: aqua vitae (later referred to as brandy by Benjamin Franklin’s time), wine, pure water, and a coarse liquid such as saltwater or oil. Kircher observed that each solution reacted differently when played, and conclusively associated each with one of the four Greco-Roman humors. Water, Wine, Brandy, Brine explores the various sounds that can be produced from playing crystal glasses as musical instruments, from the bell-like sounds of “toasting” the glasses, to the theremin-like singing produced when the rims are played.

Water, Wine, Brandy, Brine was written for and premiered by So Percussion.

- Notes from the composer

Memory

Memory is scored for tuned desk bells, whisks, and tape. This piece is dedicated to the memory of Evan’s mother [Leslie Trone Chapman]. He converted her name into a sequence of arrows; vowels & consonants being a up or down arrow (depending on the player). Each player is given a specific rhythm and note for each arrow. They play through their sequence of arrows in a loop. Each player also plays in a different time signature making the repeat of each sequence different.

- Notes by Jordan Kamps

Mayhem

Because I am a composer/arranger, it almost seems obligatory that I write a piece for or about my daughter. Many times composers craft delightful, soothing lullabies that lull their cherub children to sleep; perhaps, not unexpectedly, I took a different approach and enshrined my daughter in a work for percussion ensemble. The introduction to the piece recalls her punching inside the womb, her violent bursting into the world, and the new sound of her crying. The first section follows, announcing the “Mayhem theme,” which is rhythmically connected to her name: “Mara. Mara Mayhem.” A groove emerges, depicting the nightly dance parties that she and I have had since the first week of her birth. The second section highlights the sweetness of “Mara’s theme” and is filled with her tenderness, her smiles, her coos, her giggles, her sneezes, and her yawns. The third and final section finds the themes merging together. She is adorable and chaotic all at once.

Notes from the composer

Biographies

Jordan Kamps

Jordan Kamps is a Chicago based percussionist currently teaching Percussion Ensemble, American Popular Music, Fundamentals of Music Theory, and Applied Percussion at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Outside the university, Jor dan actively teaches high school marching bands in Wisconsin. He has taught groups in both the WSMA fall circuit and the MACBDA summer circuit. As a performer, Jordan has performed with such varying groups as the Extra Crispy Brass Band, Milwaukee Bucks NBA Drumline, and Chicago Arts Orchestra. Recent recordings include "Joy" and "Life" by the artist Sleeping At Last, the premier recording of Music for 5 Musicians by Marc Mellits, and the premier recording of Festiduous Notes by Jay Kawarsky with the Chicago Arts Orchestra. Jordan performed as a member of the backing orchestra for parts of the international tours of Evanesence, Celtic Thunder, Lindsey Stirling, Hanson, and Streetlight Manifesto. Jordan holds a Bachelors of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater and a Masters of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Jordan currently performs with Cream City Percussion, a percussion quartet from Milwaukee, WI; Cal laloo, a jazz-world fusion percussion group; and the Four Star Brass Band, a New Orleans style brass band in Chicago. While being an active performer, Jordan stays connected to new works for percussion. He has been active in several commissions and premiers of new works for both percussion and chamber music. In 2016, Jordan premiered Architecture of a Dream by Kevin Bobo, a marimba concerto for Wind Ensemble. Jordan has also been a part of the premiers of works by Ivan Trevino, John Henneken, Dan For rest, and Marc Mellits.

Jordan Kamps plays Marimba One and is proud to support them as a Premier Artist. Jordan is also a Black Swamp Percussion Educator.

About the School of Theatre and Music

The School of Theatre and Music provides innovative, rigorous, and comprehensive academic and per formance programs as part of our diverse, urban context. Our programs develop practical knowledge, cultural sensitivity, intellectual resourcefulness, and imaginative daring in emerging artists and scholars. We connect students to Chicago's abundant, vibrant theatre culture and to the city's dynamic jazz and classical music networks.

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Calendar

Monday, November 21

UIC Symphonic Band Concert

UIC Theatre L280 1044 W. Harrison St. 7:30pm

Tuesday, November 22

UIC Pop Rock Ensemble

UIC Recital Hall L285 1044 W Harrison St. 7:30pm

Tuesday, November 29

UIC Jazz Workshop & Combo

UIC Recital Hall L285 1044 W Harrison St. 7:30pm

Wednesday, November 30

UIC Jazz Ensemble & Combo

UIC Recital Hall L285 1044 W Harrison St. 7:30pm

Thursday, December 1

Mariachi Fuego

UIC Recital Hall L285 1044 W Harrison St. 7:30pm

Friday, December 2

UIC Percussion Ensemble

UIC Theatre L280 1044 W. Harrison St. 7:30pm

Saturday, December 3

UIC Holiday Concert

Benito Juarez High School 2150 S Laflin St 7:30pm

Sunday, December 4

Small Ensembles Concert

UIC Recital Hall L285 1044 W Harrison St. 3:00pm

Spring Concert Dates

Wednesday, March 8

UIC Symphpnic Band

Friday, March 10 UIC Band & Orchestra Festival

Sunday, March 12 Small Ensembles Concert

Friday, March 17

UIC Choir Festival

Saturday, April 15

UIC Choirs Spring Concert with Elgin Master Chorale and Sym phony Orchestra

Sunday, April 16 UIC Bands

Thursday, April 20 UIC Jazz Festival

Sunday, April 23 Small Ensembles Concert

Sunday, April 25 Pop Rock Ensemble

Friday, April 28

UIC Percussion Ensemble

Sunday, April 30 UIC Orchestra with Whitney Young

Our student concerts are free and open to the public. Visit us at theatreandmusic.uic.edu for a full listing of events. Please RSVP your attendance by registering for the event on our website. For accessibility and accommodations contact our box office at (312) 996-2939 or email nealmac@uic. edu