11.13.2018 ENS New Music

New Music at WCU

Jacob Cooper and Van Stiefel, directors

David Dominique Ensemble

Tuesday, November 13, 2018 Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building 8:15 PM

David Dominique's forthcoming album, Mask, is a surrealist, cross-genre expression of angst and catharsis, an exploration of Dominique’s diverse heritage and musical interests, from 60s jazz to avant-rock to contemporary classical. Written over eight years, Dominique's new Orenda Records release bounds between styles, strategies, attitudes and textures. Somehow, the project furthers the language Dominique developed on his enthralling 2013 album, Ritual, while offering a perpetual sense of surprise.

Mask’s aesthetic is one of upheaval; during the period in which he composed this music, Dominique, a recently-appointed Professor of Music at William & Mary, moved across the U.S. three times. He also endured tremendous loss, with his Afro-Caribbean father and Jewish grandmother and uncle passing away within a span of 18 months. A cycle of grief followed, during which Dominique grasped at the fractured pieces of his personal and family history, in hopes of reassembling them into a cohesive identity.

That’s the process in play throughout Mask: an artist in the midst of profound, sometimes painful change, inhabiting and discarding one stylistic or cultural veil after another. The music sometimes feels like a stream-of-consciousness dreamscape, where any part of Dominique’s imagination or memory can suddenly emerge in full color, without warning or musical transition. While often rollicking and joyous on the surface, these sonic collages are the composer’s attempt to heal his inner strife—a continuing catharsis rooted not only in the feeling of loss but in Dominique’s lifelong effort to communicate through multiple heritages.

In the end, however, Mask’s seemingly incompatible parts are embraced and normalized into a fluid listening experience that remains compelling even when the music’s backstory goes untold. A multihyphenate artist with wide-ranging tastes and curiosities, Dominique’s inside-outside take on the avant-garde is as entertaining as it is cerebral, with points of entry for those coming from jazz, the rock underground or the contemporary classical scene.

PROGRAM all works by David Dominique; order subject to change – The Wee of Us – – Grief – – Beetle – – To Dave Treut – – Invisibles – – The Yawpee – – Separation Strategies – – Gotta Fumble – – Ritual 1: BDB – – Big Boned'd Jim – – Ritual 2: Dirge – – Mooey in Paradise Pts. 1 and 2 – – Ritual 3: Hostage – – Ritual 4: Release – – Mulatto Shuffle –

PERSONNEL Flugabone/Compositions: David Dominique Cornet: Victor Haskins Tenor and Soprano Sax: Nathanael Clark Flute, Clarinet, Alto and Bari Sax: Jasper Dütz Electric Guitar: Scott Burton Upright and Electric Bass: Matt Engle Drums: Ian McColm Please Turn Off All Electronic Devices

UPCOMING WELLS SCHOOL OF MUSIC EVENTS For full event details visit www.wcupa.edu/music or call (610) 436-2739 Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 8:15 PM Guitar Ensemble David Cullen, director Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 8:15 PM Guest Artist TBA Jon Fowler & Dan Cherry, directors Philips Autograph Library Philips Memorial Building Thursday, November 15, 2018, 7:30 PM Recital Choir David P. DeVenney, director Ware Family Recital Hall Swope Music Building Thursday, November 15, 2018, 8:15 PM Symphony Orchestra Joseph Caminiti, director Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center Friday, November 16, 2018, 7:30 PM Criterions Jazz Ensemble Marc Jacoby, director Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center *Tickets required for this event.

Steinway & Sons Piano Technical, Tuning and Concert Preparations by Gerald P. Cousins, RPT A majority of performances are available to watch via live stream at Facebook.com/ArtsAtWCUPA and LiveStream.com/wcupa.

Mr. Robert Rust, Audio & Visual Technician Events at the Wells School of Music are often supported by individual sponsors and organizations.

Contributions to the Wells School of Music may be made out to: West Chester University Foundation 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA 19382

For further information, please call (610) 436-2868 or contact Dr. Christopher Hanning, Dean.

If you do not intend to save your program, please recycle it in the baskets at the exit doors.

The Wells School of Music | West Chester University of Pennsylvania Dr. Christopher Hanning, Dean