ABOUT THE ARTISTS Nicholas Stalford, percussion Nicholas Stalford is a Music with Elective Studies Major with a Minor in Digital Marketing. He has been playing percussion since the fourth grade and is completing his undergraduate studies here at West Chester University in the Wells School of Music. In his time at WCU, Nicholas has participated in many ensembles such as Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Ram Band, and Steel Band. He has had many opportunities to study alongside talented peers and be taught by great educators throughout the entire Wells School of Music. Nicholas has also had the pleasure of being a counselor for the High School Summer Music Institute, a weeklong camp hosted by the university for high school students.
PROGRAM NOTES Ogoun Badagris, Christopher Rouse (1949-2019) Ogoun Badagris derives its inspiration from Haitian drumming patterns. Ogoun Badagris is one of the most terrible and violent of all Voodoo loas or deities, and can be appeased only by human blood sacrifice. This work may thus be interpreted as a dance of appeasement. The four conga drums, the metal plates, the sleighbells, and the cabasa represent traditional instruments used in the ritual. The word "reler," which the performers must shriek at the conclusion of the work, is the Voodoo equivalent of the Judaeo-Christian "amen."Program notes.
Reflection on the Nature of Water, Jacob Druckman (1928-1996) Composer's Notes: Reflections on the Nature of Water is a small payment toward a very large debt. There were primarily two composers, Debussy and Stravinsky, whose music affected me so profoundly during my tender formative years that I had no choice but to become a composer. It is to Debussy that I'd off my hat with these reflections of his magical preludes. Reflections on the Nature of Water is comprised of several short movements, each with a contrasting character. It was written for William Moersch, and with his counsel, for which I am indebted.
Amethyst, Andy Akiho (b.1979) Amethyst is a vibraphone solo from Andy Akiho’s Seven Pillars project. Seven Pillars is an eleven-movement work of seven percussion quartets and four solo movements, one for each performer. This piece begins sounding dreamlike and colorful with lyricism and subtly being the main focus. It then works its way into a frenzy with fast rhythms, brash textures, and confusing irrational time signatures. The piece then floats away into the cosmos leading to the next movement. This piece is performed with a visual element as well, all those who have photosensitivity issues are warned to protect themselves during the performance.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge all my friends I met throughout both college and high school who have helped and pushed me to become a better musician and person. Another thanks to all the teachers at the school who have taught me, especially Brent Behrenshausen, David Nelson, and Ralph Sorrentino. One last thanks to my parents for supporting my music journey and coming to many of my performances.