Anna Scott Chosen to Perform at Carnegie Hall With University of Kansas Wind Ensemble

2012 Dec 20

The University of Kansas Wind Ensemble will make the trip of a lifetime in the spring when the group performs for the first time at the renowned Carnegie Hall on March 26, 2013. The KU Wind Ensemble, conducted by Paul Popiel, director of bands, will present the world premiere of a work commissioned for the ensemble, titled In the Shadow of No Towers, by New York-based composer Mohammed Fairouz.

Ensemble members include Anna Scott, of Chester, S.D. Scott plays the saxophone.

Composer Mohammed Fairouz was first contacted by KU alumnus and School of Music supporter James Zakoura (of sponsors Reach Out Kansas Inc. and Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered) to create a piece specifically for the KU Wind Ensemble. Fairouz composed his work as an examination of living in the post 9/11 world. In the Shadow of No Towers, Fairouz's first piece written for wind ensemble, is a symphony about the events of 9/11, the days and years that have followed, and how the aftermath has shaped people in today's political climate. The composition is loosely based on panels created for a graphic novel entitled In the Shadow of No Towers by New York-based graphic novelist Art Spiegelman.

"I'm so pleased our students get this kind of opportunity and recognition to make music that's truly deep and meaningful," said Dr. Popiel. "And to give the students the opportunity to take this music to one of the world's great stages in the city that most suffered from the 9/11 tragedy is very important. The whole experience is humbling and exciting."

The Wind Ensemble performance at Carnegie Hall will take place at 8 p.m. March 26. The Wind Ensemble will bring the performance home for an encore concert at 7:30 p.m. April 2 at the Lied Center of Kansas. Additionally, the group will record the symphony in March, releasing it on the Naxos music label in December 2013.

Tickets for the Carnegie performance will go on sale at 11 a.m. Jan. 25. Tickets can be purchased at www.carnegiehall.org, by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800, or by visiting the Box Office at 57th Street & Seventh Avenue, New York City. Tickets will cost $25. There will be a discount code available for KU alumni and friends (tickets for these groups will be $12.50/per ticket). Student/rush tickets will be $5.

The encore performance at the Lied Center of Kansas on April 2 will be free, but ticket reservations are required. Contact the Lied Center Box Office at 785-864-2787 for more information.

"Commissioning and performing this piece is really important for the KU School of Music," said Dr. Popiel. "This event will showcase the great work happening at our University and highlight our musical values. It's a tremendous privilege to perform Mohammed's piece at Carnegie Hall, and I hope it honors the great tradition of the KU Band program."

Popiel concluded, "Mr. Zakoura has been a terrific supporter, making projects like this possible that couldn't have otherwise happened. We are so grateful for this experience."