This semester’s World Music Showcase Concert in the College of Creative Arts will feature the West Virginia University African Music and Dance Ensemble, the WVU Steel Bands, and the WVU Gamelan Ensemble.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30, in the Lyell B. Clay Theatre at the Creative Arts Center and is directed by Michael Vercelli, director of the World Music and Performing Center at WVU, and graduate assistant Rafael Langoni Smith.

According to Vercelli, the program focuses on contemporary works for traditional ensemble.

Michael Ibrahim, assistant professor of saxophone at WVU, will be the special guest artist and will perform Lou Harrison’s “A Cornish Lancaran” for saxophone and gamelan.

Concert highlights include two world premiere compositions by student composers Rafael Langoni Smith and Zara Simon-Ogan.

Smith’s composition, “Moonlight Dances,” centers on a variety of traditional techniques for Javanese Gamelan orchestra and Simon-Ogan’s work “Nigerian Dances,” blends traditional and contemporary Nigerian music and choreography for the concert stage.

For tickets and information, contact the Mountainlair and CAC Box Office at (304) 293-SHOW. Tickets will also be available at the door.

-WVU-

CL/11/27/12

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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