D. Edward Davis, Composer in Residence and Director of Contemporary Music
Every year, Summer Music School students participate in the Contemporary Music Project, led by Composer in Residence D. Edward Davis.
The project is based on Toby Perlman’s belief that students should have meaningful experiences with contemporary music early in their training, and that too often students choose not to tackle new music out of fear or a lack of understanding.
The Project culminates in a thrilling concert by students, faculty, and guest artists. In past summers, this concert has included works by well known 21st century composers, as well as new compositions written by Program faculty and students.
The New York Times
A Master Puts a Spotlight on Young Players
By Steve Smith
October 30, 2007
After hearing alumni of the program at a concert in the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on October 22, 2007, Steve Smith from The New York Times raved “Patti Monson conducted Steve Reich’s “Triple Quartet,” originally written for the Kronos Quartet to perform with taped accompaniment. The piece takes on added drama when its architecture is laid bare by a full complement of live musicians, as it was here. Sean Lee, a violinist, played keening melodies that sailed out over a restless backdrop of bristling, dissonant chords, repeated in canon by Kristin Lee, another violinist, as if echoing from a distance.”
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Patti Monson conducting the orchestra in a piece by Arvo Part
Students performing a work for string quartet and tape by John Adams in the Contemporary Music Concert
