Center For 21st Century Music at the University at Buffalo

The Robert and Carol Morris Center For 21st Century Music: A UB Center of Excellence

UB's Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music, recognized as one of UB's distinguished Centers of Excellence, will devote various concert programs, in a variety of formats, to the presentation of the innovative musical scores being created today.

The Slee Sinfonietta: UB's Professional Chamber Orchestra

The Slee Sinfonietta is the professional chamber orchestra in residence at the University at Buffalo and the flagship ensemble of the Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music. The Sinfonietta presents a series of concerts each year that feature performances of challenging new works by contemporary composers and lesser-known works from the chamber orchestra repertoire. Founded in 1997 by composer David Felder, and comprised of UB faculty artists, visiting artists, regional professionals and advanced performance students, the ensemble celebrates a decade of offering unique concert experiences to both regional and international audiences through performance, touring, recording, and open rehearsal of new works by emerging composers.

The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music gratefully acknowledges major funding from Robert G. Morris, Carol L. Morris, the Cameron Baird Foundation, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, the University at Buffalo, and other generous sponsors.

Wednesday, October 17

The Slee Sinfonietta

James Baker, conductor
with Laura Aikin, soprano
Nicholas Isherwood, bass
Elliot Caplan, image

8pm, Lippes Concert Hall
Advance: $12/$9/$5
Door: $20/$15/$9

This concert will serve as the official naming ceremony for The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music. Bob and Carol Morris, loyal and generous friends of UB, enjoy a remarkable history with the University. Bob Morris (BA, 1967) met his wife Carol when they were both undergraduate students at UB. Both of Bob's parents received their degrees at UB, and Bob and Carol's son, Alexander Morris earned both his Bachelor's (1991) and his Master's degree (1994) in Architecture from UB. Now, through their numerous, generous gifts to UBÕs College of Arts and Sciences, they are creating opportunities for students to establish their own "histories" with the University at Buffalo.

As principal donors for The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music, Bob and CarolÕs generous support will enhance UB's renowned tradition of composition, production and performance of innovative contemporary music, enabling the University to take its place among the very few American institutions that are committed to creating and performing contemporary music. In recognition of their extraordinary support we are pleased to announce the naming of The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music in their honor.

The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music will provide public presentations of contemporary music by way of concerts, recordings, videos, films and print media publications with the University community, and the public at large.

As Center Director David Felder explains, "Thanks to the vision, generosity and spirit of Bob and Carol, The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music will shape the field of artistic creation for generations. For me personally and professionally, I am deeply gratified to have had the opportunity to work with them, and to have come to know them. They are inspirational patrons whose presence, support, and remarkable friendship to the creative artist lend that most important quality so often a missing ingredient: leadership."

Bob and Carol are pleased to know that their generous gifts will touch the lives of a new generation of UB students. As Bob has said, "The arts are too often overlooked. We think highly of UB and were always proud to be Buffalonians. Our son received a fabulous education at the University. We hope our gifts will help UB plan for the future and ensure that it remains the creative home for internationally acclaimed artists and world-class performers."

The program is scheduled as follows:

David Felder: Chashmal (2006)
David Felder: Sa'arah (2007—Work in progress)
David Felder: Dionysiacs (2004)
INTERMISSION
Pierre Boulez: Improvisation I sur Mallarmé (1958)
Pierre Boulez: Improvisation II sur Mallarmé (1958)
Pierre Boulez: Tombeau (1959/1960)

See information for Laura Aikin's Slee/Visiting Artist performance and biographical information here.

June 2-8, 2007

June in Buffalo Festival

David Felder, Artistic Director

Faculty composers to include David Felder, Cort Lippe, Olivier Pasquet, Morton Subotinick, and others.

Performers to include The Slee Sinfonietta, The New York New Music Ensemble, Ensemble Sirius, and Ensemble SurPlus.