Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce that the 2012-13 Percussion Commission Fund campaign is officially underway. Last year we raised just under $3000; our goal this year is to raise $3500. Please do consider contributing, even if it’s just a small amount. Every donation takes us one step closer to our goal. And as always, your gift is 100% deductible to the extent provided by law.

For the coming year, we have secured a commission from Paris-born composer, Daniel Wohl, to be premiered on our Masterworks concert in April 2013. Barely thirty years of age, Wohl’s reputation is already making a rapid ascent in the genre of electroacoustic music. The New York Times has called him “one of his generation’s imaginative and skillful creators.” NPR has said, “He is shaping our contemporary music scene and defining what it means to be a composer in the 21st century.” Wohl will compose a piece for percussion (4-8 players) and electronics for the Millikin Ensemble.

Also on board is a name familiar to many of you, Millikin’s own Randall Reyman. Reyman has composed more than fifty works for a variety of ensembles including recent commissions by the MU Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the MDSO. In Reyman’s words, “you guys (percussion ensemble) are the only campus ensemble I haven’t written a piece for.” Hence, we are very excited about receiving his new work for alto saxophone soloist and percussion ensemble (8 players). Plans for its premiere are already underway.

Please take a moment to look at this brief video montage of last year’s commissioned works.

Here are a links to additional information on this year’s composers.

 Daniel Wohl 

 Randall Reyman

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