We all know that Florida State is well known for providing its students with the best in entertainment, seminars, discussions, and events and this week is no exception! From January 29th through the 31st Florida State University’s College of Music will be putting on their 17th Biennial Festival of New Music. This three-day event focuses on showcasing almost thirty different composers from around the country. This year’s concerts include both acoustic and electroacoustic compositions from a myriad of different ensembles. The Festival of New Music begins in the Opperman Music Hall, located on campus, with selections by Florida State’s own Chamber Choir at 8pm as well as other guest performers, including composer
s such as Jonathan Howard, Theodore King-Smith, Natalie Williams, Szu-Yu Chen, Alex Burtzos, Clifton Callender and many more talented artists. The second night, the concert features special guest composer David Lang and pianist Ursula Oppens. The festival concludes on Saturday evening with more performances by featured guests and the Florida State University Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. More details about further presentations to accompany the event will be released soon and more information can be found by visiting this site. In addition to being able to experience great selections of music this festival is free to the general public and students as well!
If you are in the mood for attending more engaging performances and musical selections this semester make sure to check out Florida State’s Opening Nights Performing Arts Series and Festival. The festival originally began in 1921 as the “Women for Artists” Series when FSU was still an all-women college. At the time, the series featured everything from modern dance, pianists and even the Metropolitan Opera, but the ceremony now known as the “Seven Days of Opening Nights” was championed in February of 1999.
The overall goal of Opening Nights is to provide a more expansive arts education experience for students of Florida State University as well as members of the Tallahassee community. Last year, the series developed an enterprise with Leon County Schools called the Partners in Education program. This project gives local schools an opportunity to have professional training in the arts department by qualified professionals. Lectures, Q & A conferences, and performances by visiting artists are all part of the Opening Nights experience and, of course, these events are free of charge for students, which is, even more reason to attend! The performing arts series begins at the end of January and lasts all the way through March, featuring various types of presentations. The festival is comprised of varied performances crossing a multitude of different genres such as Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo, Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking, Cameron Carpenter, The King’s Singers, Nellie Mckay and of course the infamous Prism concert: an assembly of the best of Florida State University’s College of Music. This unique show dismembers the idea of the traditional music ensemble by incorporating moving parts and a personalized musical experience depending on where the guests are sitting. For a full line up the Opening Nights Series of performers check out http://openingnights.fsu.edu With so many opportunities for a fabulous night out, start your semester off right by attending either one of these great concerts and festivals and support the FSU College of Music!