Sidney King rehearses for the premiere of his 2013 composition, "Entre Dos Luces (Soleá por Bulerías)," which was commissioned by the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.The Sewanee Summer Music Festival, winner of a 2013-14 ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, will begin its 58th annual session with an opening concert on Saturday, June 21.
The award was presented during the League of American Orchestras National Conference earlier this month in Seattle. SSMF was one of 27 American orchestras to receive an award, winning second place for its contemporary programming. The League and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers present the awards each year to orchestras of all sizes for programs that challenge the audience, build the repertoire and increase interest in new music.
A highlight of this year's festival will be the world premiere of an original work by banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck on July 19. Other contemporary music highlights include Kevin Puts' "Millennium Canons," Michael Daughtery's "Raise the Roof" for timpani and orchestra, featuring soloist John Kilkenny, and a performance of Fleck's "The Imposter" at the final concert on July 20.
The opening concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. CDT Saturday, June 21, in Guerry Auditorium, 68 Georgia Ave.
For the next four weeks, some 150 aspiring young musicians from around the United States and abroad will gather with teachers, performers and internationally recognized guest artists to create a monthlong musical community. Students work closely with the faculty in private lessons, chamber music coaching, sectional rehearsals, master classes and performances.
Other performances
¦ Wednesday, June 25: Artist Faculty Series, 7:30 p.m., Guerry Auditorium.
¦ Saturday, June 28: Student Chamber Concert, 4 p.m., Guerry Garth, and Faculty Artist Series, 7:30 p.m., Guerry Auditorium.
¦ Sunday, June 29: Cumberland Orchestra concert, 2:30 p.m., and Sewanee Symphony concert, 3:30 p.m., both in Guerry Auditorium.
Tickets and the full calendar of events can be found at sewaneemusicfestival.org/calendar.
Season tickets are $105 for all season events except specialty concerts, $120 for all season events including specialty concerts, which are scheduled July 16-17, 19-20. The ongoing series of Sunday Orchestra and Faculty Chamber concert tickets are $12 online, $15 at the door. Children 12 and younger get in free to any concert, though child tickets are subject to availability.
For more information, call 931-598-1225 or email ssmf@sewanee.edu.