Don Freund, professor of composition, was the featured guest composer at the Florida Contemporary Music Festival and the University of Florida (UF) School of Music hosting of the Society of Composers, Inc. 50th Anniversary National Conference November 12-14.
Included on the program were performances of his “Fanfare of Celebration and Commemoration” for six trumpets, “Jug Blues and Fat Pickin’” (Symphonic Band), “O Fortuna” (Women’s Chorus), “Jubilate Deo” (chorus and organ), and “Hard Cells” (UF Symphony Orchestra). Freund performed on the Casio in his “Passages” for alto saxophone, horn, and Casio CZ101.
Jacobs School composition alumni having works at the festival were David Heuser, Christopher Cook, Sam Wells, Texu Kim, and Jason Bahr. Jacobs piano alumna Mary Hellman was a “Special Artist,” performing several works by conference composers, including Christopher Cook’s “Rocket” for piano and electronics.
Kim was represented by the commissioned work he won as winner of the SCI/ASCAP student competition. Eric Fegan, a current master’s student, also won an SCI/ASCAP commission. Both Kim’s and Fegan’s works were premiered by the Red Clay Saxophone Quartet (which includes Jacobs alumnus Steve Stusek).