Guest composer Viet Cuong joins CCM Wind Symphony for Nov. 1 concert

The CCM Wind Symphony continues its season at 7:30 p.m.on Friday, Nov. 1 in Corbett Auditorium with “Renewal,” featuring the CCM Youth Wind Ensemble. Anchoring the program are two pieces by guest composer Viet Cuong, one of the most inventive voices in the wind repertoire. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

Hailed as “alluring” and “wildly inventive” by the New York Times, Viet Cuong’s music is played by Grammy-winning orchestras and the world’s pre-eminent wind ensembles. Celebrated for his innovative and whimsical approach to instrumentation, ranging from cello octets to wine glasses and sandpaper, Cuong’s music conjures up enchanting sound worlds that defy easy categorizations.

The November 1 program takes its name from Cuong’s piece Re(new)al, a concerto for percussion quartet that celebrates the innovations of renewable energy. The four soloists use crystal glasses, a single snare drum, compressed air cans and more to evoke three sources of renewable energy: hydro, wind and solar.

“Cooperation and synergy are … core themes of the piece, as I believe we all have to work together to move forward,” writes Cuong in a program note. “All of the music played by the solo quartet is comprised of single musical ideas that are evenly distributed between the four soloists …the music would therefore be dysfunctional without the presence and dedication of all four members.”

“I knew I wanted to program Re(new)al to feature our fantastic percussion studio at CCM,” says Kevin Michael Holzman, Division Head of Ensembles and Conducting at CCM. “It is a relatively new piece for percussion quartet and winds, and is a true creative masterpiece.”

The concert is the culmination of Cuong’s visit to CCM, during which he will coach the Wind Symphony, CCM Musica Nova and the Youth Wind Ensemble on their interpretations of his pieces.

“Getting the opportunity to work with the composer of any piece of music during the rehearsal process is always an incredible experience,” remarks Holzman. “There is only so much that can be communicated by the composer through our musical notation, and so much of what makes music speak to us on a deeper level can be brought out through close interaction with the composer.”

Rounding out the program are Ives’ iconic “Variations on ‘America’,” Messiaen’s deeply moving Apparition of the Eternal Church (richly arranged by David Miller) and Roshanne Etezady’s evocative “Forty-Eight Colors of the Full Moon.”

 “The full timbral spectrum of the wind ensemble will be on display with this exciting program,” says Holzman.

CCM Wind Symphony + CCM Youth Wind Ensemble
Kevin Michael Holzman, music director and conductor 
Brian Zielinski, graduate student conductor
Featuring guest composer, Viet Cuong

CCM Youth Wind Ensemble:

• MASLANKA: Illumination
• GJELIO: Sanctus
• CUONG: Lasting Light 

CCM Wind Symphony:

• IVES: Variations on “America” 
• CUONG: Deciduous 
• ETEZADY: Forty-Eight Colors of The Full Moon 
• MESSIAEN: Apparition de l'Eglise eternelle
• CUONG: Re(new)al

• 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
• Estimated run time: 2 hours, including intermission

Tickets: $19.50 adult, $15 student, $15 UC faculty/staff, $10 UC student, $5 CCM student; group discounts available.

Experiencing the magic of CCM OnStage has never been easier! Purchase your tickets:

• Online at ccmonstage.universitytickets.com
• Over the phone at 513-556-4183
• In person at the CCM Box Office in the Atrium of UC's Corbett Center for the Performing Arts

CCM’s Box Office hours are Tue-Fri from 1-5 p.m. and one hour prior to curtain for ticketed performances. Hours subject to change based on the University of Cincinnati calendar. Our Box Office staff is always ready to answer your questions by phone at 513-556-4183 or email at boxoff@uc.edu. 

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.

Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Effective July 1, 2023, all University of Cincinnati Parking Services locations are cashless. Pay for parking securely with your credit/debit card. All major credit cards accepted.

CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15. Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.

For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.

There's more to explore — view our full performance schedule by month or visit the CCM Box Office website to buy tickets. 

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