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.