Campus Events and Media Releases

University of Maine at Farmington Presents Inaugural Program in New "Contemporary Listening" Performance Series

FARMINGTON, ME (September 22, 2009)--University of Maine at Farmington will
present "Piano at the Boundaries," featuring Steven Pane, pianist and UMF
professor of music, as the inaugural program in a new "Contemporary
Listening" performance series. Pane, assisted by UMF music student Seth
Fogg, will be performing the program at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, October 2;
and Saturday, October 3, at Nordica Auditorium in UMF Merrill Hall.

An alternative to the traditional concert format, the "Contemporary
Listening" performance will place classical works in new contexts,
including multimedia, exploring the infinite ways to find meaning and
understanding in the music. Rather than assuming one, correct and
historical way to experience music, "Contemporary Listening" acknowledges
the uniqueness of each listener.

The initial program will feature Franz Liszt's Sonata in B minor; Henry
Cowell's "The Banshee" in an 'open reading' with added electronics; two
etudes for piano and loop pedals by UMF student, Seth Fogg; and "Torrid
Mix" for piano and electronics by Mike McFerron.

Each selection represents some type of transformation. The Liszt is based
on three melodies that transform into very different tunes throughout the
work. Henry Cowell's "The Banshee" transforms the way the piano is sounded
as the entire piece is played on the piano strings. Fogg's etudes digitally
transform the sound of the piano through loop pedals as does "Torrid Mix",
where the piano performs with a tape of modified piano samples along with
the energetic voice of Chicago rapper, "DJ Jazzy."

The concert is sponsored by the UMF Division of the Arts and is open to the
public. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance at
$6 for adults, $5 for seniors and free for UMF students with I.D. This
performance is not recommended for very young children.

For more information, please contact the UMF Division of the Arts at
207-778-7072, or at robin.palmermosher@maine.edu. More information is
available at the website: contemporarylistening.wordpress.com.


More on UMF--"A New Kind of Education for a Changing World"

A nationally-recognized liberal arts college known for its commitment to
student success, UMF provides a challenging yet supportive environment to
prepare students for both careers and further study. Located in the heart
of Maine's four season outdoor recreational region, UMF is a welcoming,
close-knit academic community that emphasizes student-faculty
collaboration, creative problem solving and independent initiative. With
many of the same advantages as New England's most selective private
colleges--yet at an affordable price--Farmington provides the applicable
skills and hands-on experience that today's students need to meet the
challenges of a rapidly changing world.

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Media Contact: Steven Pane, UMF professor of music, at 207-778-7288, or
pane@maine.edu.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You will find photo at
http://www.umf.maine.edu/campus/docs/RP090-007.jpg

Photo Credit: UMF photo