NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

02/16/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- An original composition by conductor Charles Demuynck and three winners of the NSU Concerto Competition will be featured when the Natchitoches ­ Northwestern Symphony Orchestra performs Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall.

The orchestra will perform "Kaleidoscope" by Demuynck, and "Swan Lake Suite" by Tchaikovsky. Three student soloists will also be featured. Jessica Price of Natchitoches will be featured on French horn on the first movement of Mozart's "Horn Concerto No. 4." Eric Leday of Natchitoches will be featured on tuba on "Tuba Concerto" by Vaughn Williams. Soprano Wendy Morgan of Natchitoches will perform "Glitter and be Gay" from Leonard Bernstein's "Candide."

"This concert will be an excellent opportunity to showcase the student talent at Northwestern," said Demuynck. "The students are enjoying this chance to work with their colleagues on this concert."

"Kaleidoscope" is a 10-minute work Demuynck composed last summer.

"This is the longest, most ambitious composition I have done," said Demuynck. "Composing is something I enjoy doing. I am pleased with this piece. The orchestra has taken interest in it and has made a serious effort to learn the work."

Demuynck says his composition tries to give the listener a musical effect similar to what they would get by looking through a kaleidoscope.

"There is a musical imitation of shifting colors. The chords change very slowly," he said.

In keeping with modern compositions, Demuynck tried to include new, experimental elements in "Kaleidoscope." In one section, he tried to get a certain sound in the percussion section. After trying several combinations, he got the right sound using a piece of metal he bought at a hardware store.

Demuynck said concertgoers would recognize "Swan Lake Suite," even those who may be new to classical music.

"It is a very well known work that has been used in many settings," said Demuynck. "It has a number of solos that will give some of our excellent soloists an opportunity to stand out."

Main Menu