Peter Sheridan performs "Fast Tides, Slow Tides"

Peter Sheridan

Peter Sheridan, an Australian-based specialist in low flutes, recently performed my "Fast Tides, Slow Tides" in Portland, Oregon. This was a special arrangement written for him to perform on alto flute. I was not able to be there, but he reports:

I performed Fast tides on Thurs. May 6th at the Old Church in Portland, OR. It was by invitation of the PSU Instrumental Music Club. I gave several lecture demonstrations on the instruments that week and did discuss a few of the 'fantastic' rhythmic complexities of Fast Tides in the class for composers. Again I discussed the piece and demonstrated a few sections on Tues. April 28th at Fresno, Cal State for the flute studio. It is a wonderful work Richard. I would like to record it next year. 

You can learn more about Peter Sheridan at http://lowflutes.com/

"A Poe Fantasia" sung in NYCC "Encores" Outreach Program

The sign says it all!

On Friday May 7, the New York Composers Circle presented an "Encores" Outreach Program at the JASA West Side Community Center on the upper west side of Manhattan. Soprano Sofia Dimitrova, accompanied by Catherine Miller, performed my "A Poe Fantasia" and works by Paul Moravec, Copland, Menotti, Ives, and Kevin McCarter. The NYCC's Executive Director, John de Clef Piñeiro, emceed the event, providing an educational overview of 20th Century art song.

The only problem with these events is that since I'm taking pictures, I don't always get a chance to get a picture of me in there! But here are several pics of the day's event. (Click for larger size.)

Catherine Miller and Sofia Dimitrova relax before the concert

Sofia Dimitrova and Catherine Miller compare notes

NYCC director John de Clef Pineiro addresses the audience

Another view of John de Clef Pineiro

Sofia Dimitrova sings

Two Richard Russell pieces presented at Emily Dickinson concert

It was more than an Emily Dickinson concert, it was an experience! Jessica Castro as Emily Dickinson read poems, and music by Richard Russell, Raphael Fusco, and Robert Butts provided "a little madness in the spring" last week at the Bell and Barter Theater in Rockaway, NJ. Maestro Butts was the afternoon's conductor.

Soprano Marjorie Berg sang my "The Tune is in the Tree" in a special chamber music arrangement, and soprano Pamela Stein sang "When Time is Over." Aaron Dai was the day's accompanist. A fantastic reception followed, and we are all looking to our July 25 concert, "Songs of a Sultry Summer." For more details on that concert (and more pics), go to In Mid Air Productions. For now, here are several pics from the Emily Dickinson concert. (Click to enlarge.)

Jessica Castro as Emily Dickinson

soprano Pamela Stein with Richard Russell. She sang "When Time is Over"

soprano Marjorie Berg with Robert Butts, conductor, performing "The Tune is in the Tree"

Richard Russell, Marjorie Berg, Bud Masters at the reception