***UPDATED NEWS: Contemporary music with ties to South Carolina has received support from the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) through the One-Time Grant Awards program. “The Carolina Connection II,” the second and final event of this season’s Magnetic South concert series, is the recipient of the award, which will help offset visiting composers’ expenses and the purchase of instruments.
“Magnetic South is a pioneer in bringing contemporary music to this community. I am beyond thrilled to have received this award from the SCAC, as it validates and echoes my excitement in connecting Carolina composers with their audience and the contemporary scene at large,” comments Yiorgos Vassilandonakis, Artistic Director and Conductor of Magnetic South.
__________________________________
Magnetic South, a collaborative project between the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and the College of Charleston Department of Music, continues to present contemporary classical music to Charleston audiences. The next concert, “The Carolina Connection II,” will take place on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 8 p.m. A pre-concert discussion panel, led by Chair of the Department of Music and Magnetic South co-founder, Edward Hart, will start at 7:30 p.m.
Yuriy Bekker is concertmaster. Yiorgos Vassilandonakis will conduct.
The concert will honor and promote local and contemporary music creation. “The Carolina Connection II” specifically will feature composers with close ties to S.C. and Charleston – Ayala Asherov, Jon Schwabe and Andrew McKenna Lee.
Ayala Asherov, an Israeli-born composer and singer / songwriter, lives and works in Charleston. Her music ranges from songwriting to music in the concert hall, and to multimedia including film, museum exhibitions and dance. Her new piece, “‘Beh-Rehsheet’ -In the Beginning,” is a Magnetic South commission and world premiere.
Jon Schwabe received his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of South Carolina and is Professor of Theory and Composition, and chairs the composition and theory area at the University of Northern Iowa. His piece, “Morning of the Curious Hoarfrost,” is commissioned by Magnetic South where it will make its world premiere.
Andrew McKenna Lee was born and raised in downtown Charleston. Having recently received his Doctorate degree in Composition from Princeton University, he is known as “an astoundingly virtuosic guitar player… and far more importantly… a thoughtful and original composer.” (Jayson Greene, eMusic) His new piece, “Harlan Variations,” is a Magnetic South commission and world premiere.
Lee’s latest cd with neo-psychedelic band The Knells will be available for purchase at the concert. The CD’s cover is the work of SC native and Andrew’s childhood friend, Shepard Fairey.
“The Carolina Connection II,” will take place on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 8 p.m., in the Recital Hall of the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 Saint Philip St. Tickets are $25.00 general admission and $10.00 for students. Call the CSO at 843.723.7528 or purchase tickets ONLINE.