May 31, 2009 Jan Hus Church 351 East 74th Street New York, New York 10021

The Composer’s Voice Concert Series is an opportunity for contemporary composers to express their musical aesthetic and personal “voice” created in their compositions. This concertr features music by composers: Roger Blanc Douglas DaSilva Eugene Friesen Avrohom Leichtling Mark McCarron David Wolfson and more. Featuring performances by: Gil DeJean, contrabassoon Alexandra Frederick, piano Mark McCarron, guitar Suzanne Mueller, cello Suzy Perelman, violin Thomas Piercy, clarinet Angela Scherrar, soprano Dennis Smylie, contrabass clarinet and The New York Miniaturist Ensemble

Title Composer Performer Og’s Dance (world premiere) Douglas DaSilva Kurt Toriello - guitar Improvisation on graphic score Douglas DaSilva K. Toriello, K. Watanabe Kurt Toriello - guitar Kai Watanabe - guitar Autumn Promise (world premiere) George Barker Kurt Toriello - guitar Ocram Angelo Gilardino Kurt Toriello - guitar For Guitar and Piano (world premiere) JP Schlegelmilch JP Schlegelmilch - piano Jonathan Goldberger - guitar Suite Brasileiro (New York premiere) Douglas DaSilva Duozona: Theresa Hulihan - flute Chuck Hulihan, guitar Southwest Suite, Part III: Las Mananitas/A la Puerto del Cielo/ Cielito Lindo Sy Brandon Duozona: Theresa Hulihan - flute Chuck Hulihan - guitar Paco de Santo Drinks at the Kinsale (world premiere) Douglas DaSilva Duozona: Theresa Hulihan - flute Chuck Hulihan - guitar

Performers Duozona is the vibrant and gifted ensemble of Theresa & Chuck Hulihan that presents a rich and colorful palette of musical styles from all over the world. Their joy in music making, and their unique abilities to communicate with each other and audiences, is displayed in their compelling performances and magnetic presence on stage. Their concerts have been hailed “truly an evening of Bravos” and their programming called “a global trek of sound”. They have performed throughout North America, including the Seattle Guitar Society, Grand Canyon Guitar Society, American Mandolin and guitar Summer School, Guitar Associates Summer Workshop, Pepperdine University, Chandler Center for the Arts, Scottsdale Center for the Arts. Active in both creative interpretation of existing repertoire and collaboration with contemporary composers, Duozona has enriched their programming with exciting new pieces. Noted guitar icon John W. Duarte composed "Five Moods" for Duozona, musical snapshots of their personalities infused with blues and jazz. In 2007, Duozona released their first CD, “Colors”, featuring three works by Sy Brandon, including the world premiere recording of "Southwestern Suite", written for Duozona, and inspired by the sounds of the desert southwest. Chuck Hulihan holds a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance from the University of Connecticut where he studied with guitarist Mark M. Davis and cellist Mary Lou Rylands, and a Master of Music in Guitar Performance from Arizona State University where he studied with Frank Koonce. He has performed in literally dozens of master classes with such international artists as Eliot Fisk, Manuel Barrueco, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Sharon Isbin, David Tanenbaum, Benjamin Verdery, and Ricardo Iznaola. He has studied at the Aspen Music Festival, Amercian Mandolin and Guitar Summer School, National Guitar Summer Workshop, and Guitar and Lute Institute at California State University. In addition to his classical studies, Chuck has taken part in workshops with European ‘gypsy jazz’ guitarists such as Boulou and Elios Ferre, Angelo Debarre, and Tchavalo Schmitt. He has performed with the Arizona Chamber Symphony, at the Arizona State University’s “Schubert Celebration” and “Tribute to Rafael Mendez” concerts. His performance of Conrad Susa’s “Carols and Lullabies” with the Phoenix Bach Choir was broadcast on Public Radio International. He began his teaching career as an assistant to Frank Koonce at ASU, where he has also directed the ASU Guitar Orchestra. Currently, Chuck directs the multi-faceted guitar program at Glendale Community College and is expanding his musical horizons as an active performer of acoustic swing music in the style of the great gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. Theresa Hulihan holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Central Washington State University where she studied with Dr. Hal Ott, and a Master of Music in Flute Performance from Arizona State University where she studied with Dr. Trygve Peterson. She has been described as having “flawless technique, perfect intonation, and sensitivity to nuance that equal or surpass the top artists on the concert circuit”. She studied with flutist Ransom Wilson during his ‘Malibu Master Class’ at Pepperdine University, where she was chosen to perform John Duarte’s “English Suite” at the gala concert. Theresa has also studied with flutist Rae Terpenning, guitarist Frank Koonce and has performed in master classes for flutists James Walker, Zart Dombourian-Eby, and guitarist Sharon Isbin. She has performed in The Seattle Civic Light Opera Company, The Port Angeles Symphony, Arizona Sate University Symphonic Band, and at the National Flute Association's Phoenix Convention.An advocate for the wooden Boehm- system flute, in 2006, Theresa was a featured performer at the first Wood Flute Conference at the University of Washington. Currently, she directs bands for the Osborn School District, teaches flute at Glendale Community College, and is a board member of the Arizona Flute Society. Theresa plays on both a Sankyo wood flute and a Powell silver flute with wood headjoint. Guitarist Jonathan Goldberger spent most of his youth on the outskirts of the Everglades. From there he migrated west to the Rockies before finding his way to Brooklyn. He has worked extensively in both the music and film worlds, including composing and producing the music for the award winning feature films, "Trans," and "The Hawk is Dying," starring Paul Giamatti. He recently has performed on guitar with the likes of: Andrew D'angelo, Jim Black, Josh Roseman, Briggan Krauss, Sex Mob, Ursa Minor, Edison Woods, Nels Andrews, Rodriguez and many others. Guitarist Kurt Toriello is an active performer throughout the New York area appearing as soloist, in chamber ensembles, and orchestras. 2008 has been an exciting year with appearances at the Manhattan School of Music's Borden Auditorium under the baton of Michael Adelson, the Monkey NYC premiering Terry Champlin's Be Still... written for the performer, Pforziemer Hall, Osnat Netzer's Holocaust Memorial Concert at New England Conservatory, and in master classes with David Tannenbaum and Kenneth Cooper. Other performances include the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, Peabody Conservatory, Mannes Concert Hall, Goldmark Hall, Columbia University, Eugene Lang Hall at New School University, Vail-Leavitt Music Hall and the Little Village Playhouse. Mr. Toriello is a devoted teacher with a firm belief that Education in the Arts produces a more vibrant culture. He is on the faculty of Bergen Academy of Music. His teaching style presents the student with a core of traditional musical skills to meet with the needs and interests of the student. Mr. Toriello is a Graduate Student of Manhattan School of Music, studying under David Leisner and Mark DelPriora, and his Graduate Studies at Columbia University's Teachers College. He is pursuing a Master of Music in Performance and Master of Arts in Music Education. Mr. Toriello received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the Mannes College of Music, where he studied under Fred Hand, Michael Newman, and Terry Champlin. Guitarist Kai Watanabe started playing guitar when he was 10 years old. He is currently studying as a classical guitar major at the Manhattan School of Music as a student of David Leisner. In 2005, Kai had visited Cambodia as a reporter for “Medicins Sans Frontiers”. Having spent time with children orphaned by that country’s civil war, teaching them Japanese, English and guitar he wanted to expand his experience and “I started to think how I could share with the children I met there. I have been seeking the way within the sounds!” Kai has performed as a soloist, and in a duet with Kurt Toriello in various venues throughout the New York City area. Kai has also worked as an assistant-music therapist.

Composers George Barker is a professional guitarist, bassist, transcriber, composer and publisher whose music has and is played internationally on TV, radio and the Internet. His current single, a unique arrangement of "Amazing Grace", is available at iTunes, Amazon and other online retailers. For many years George performed live and did studio work on guitar and/or bass playing everything from avant-garde jazz to hard rock. George no longer performs after becoming paralyzed in 2003 by the rare disorder Transverse Myelitis. He recently moved from New Jersey to Kentucky where he teaches, composes and records. His next CD "String Theory" is due to be released in late 2009. For more information you can go to georgebarker.com. He lives with his wife Kris and two dogs and enjoys sitting on his porch. Award-winning composer, Dr. Sy Brandon holds the rank of professor emeritus of music from Millersville University, Millersville, PA. His music has been recorded by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra on the Albany Records Label, the Philharmonia Bulgarica on the ERM Label, Emeritus Recordings, the Contemporary Record Society, Trutone Records and by the Swiss Duo Delimme on the Arizona University Label. Dr. Brandon's music has been performed both throughout the United States and abroad including performances by the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force Bands and on National Public Radios Performance Today. Douglas DaSilva is a composer, guitarist and educator in New York City. His piece Sarabande for flute & guitar was featured in the Vox Novus' 60X60 (New York) project. How to Create A Totalitarian State" was performed as part of the 60X60 Munich mix at A•Devantgarde festival Königsplatz München und Hochschule für Musik und Theater. The pieces Dovedale and The Potteries of Stoke for solo clarinet were recorded by Stuart King as part of Composition Today's January 2007 workshop. The piece Reason Why? Because. was recorded by saxophonist Joel Garthwaite for Composition Today's September 2007 workshop. His solo clarinet piece Midlands was premiered by Joshua Rubin with the New York Miniaturist Ensemble at the Brooklyn Center for New Music. September 2007, Suite Brasileiro was premiered by Duozona the guitar & flute duet of Chuck & Theresa Hulihan. Seedlings for solo guitar was premiered Kurt Toriello; Evora, premiered by violist Stefanie Taylor; Second Wind by Rob Botti, oboe, Heather Thon, clarinet, Laura Vincent; bassoon; Century X and SilvaChrome by Amy Berger, harp, Angelo Gilardino was born in Vercelli in 1941 where he later studied (guitar, violoncello and composition) in the local music schools. His concert career, which lasted from 1958 to 1981, had a great influence on the development of the guitar as an instrument in the ‘limelight’ in the twentieth century. He gave premiere performances of hundreds of new compositions dedicated to him by composers from all over the world. In 1967 Edizioni Musicali Bèrben appointed him to supervise what has become the most important collection of music for guitar of the twentieth century and which bears his name. Since 1982 he has published an extensive collection of his own compositions: Studi di virtuosità e di trascendenza, which John W. Duarte hailed as “milestones in the new repertoire of the classical guitar”, Sonatas, Variations, four concertos for solo guitar and guitar groups, ten concertos with orchestra and chamber music. His works are frequently performed in concert halls all over the world, recorded and included in competitions. JP Schlegelmilch grew up in Keene, New Hampshire and began playing the piano at age 6, taking lessons from classical pianist Chungyo Shin whom he would study with for 10 years. As a teenager JP’s interests turned to playing rock and jazz and he began performing with various bands throughout high school. The experience of creative collaboration with other musicians solidified his commitment to pursuing a life as a musician. JP attended Berklee College of Music and later finished his studies at SUNY Purchase, graduating from the jazz studies program. JP has studied jazz and improvisation with Fred Hirsch, Hal Galper, Pete Milinverni, Ralph Alessi and Mark Helias. JP has performed at the Knitting Factory, Detour, The Bowery Poetry Club, Rockwood Music Hall and many others. Current projects include the experimental instrumental rock group NOOK. JP currently studies counterpoint and harmony with Paul Caputo and classical piano with Sophia Rosoff. He has recently performed with Tim Berne and Oscar Noriega. THE PERFORMERS

George Barker - Autumn Promise: My inspiration for "Autumn Promise" comes from two quite disparate musical sources: Erik Satie, a French pianist from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and Milton Nascimento, a contemporary Brazilian composer, singer and guitarist. I've always found Satie's music harmonically interesting and Nascimento's guitar work using simple triads to create sophisticated harmonies always inspiring. Combine these elements with the key of (mostly) Em and shifting bars of 3/8 and 2/8 and you have composition that I hope you find enjoyable. Sy Brandon - Southwest Suite: This composition was written for Duozona and premiered by them at Arizona State University in 2005. The piece is divided into three sections with each section containing multi-movements. While the piece is conceived as a unit, it is possible to perform each movement or each section individually or to select one or more movements from each section and make a new grouping. Part III consists of Mexican Songs. Las Mananitas, which a birthday serenade sung early in the day, and A la Puerto del Cielo, a Basque lullaby that came to New Mexico from the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain. Altered chords are added to Las Mananitas as well as Mexican sounding accompaniment figures. After a modulation, A la Puerta del Cielo is stated in an ethereal manner. The tempo then increases and the two songs are combined contrapuntally. After a recapitulation of Las Mananitas, a coda using the last phrase of A la Purta del Cielo serves as an "amen". The last movement, Cielito Lindo, begins traditionally. After the first statement of the verse, the music is repeated in new keys for each phrase. A traditional setting of the chorus is followed by an imitative, modulatory setting of the verse phrases. The chorus, accompanied by Mariachi style strumming in the guitar brings the piece to a rousing conclusion. Douglas DaSilva - Og’s Dance: “Og”was an ancient Amorite king of Jerusalem who, along with an army, was slain by Moses and his men at the battle of Edrei. It can also mean “Original Gangsta” in 90’s hip-hop-glossolalia. The title really comes from my son Jason’s insubordinate “No! Daddy! O. G. No!” His spelling has since improved. This piece was composed as a thank you for Kurt Toriello. Suite Brasileiro: Choro is a form of Brazilian music that dates back to the 19th century and goes in and out of fashion over the years. I fell in love with choro music the first time I heard it. I’ve given it a harmonic (decatonic) update here. A Ultima Dança do Imperador (The Emporer’s Last Dance): The Brazilian Empire lasted from 1822 until 1889. I enjoy the struggle between the Emperor’s regal theme, presented repeatedly (like constantly reassuring "yes-men") and the Brazilian melodies and rhythms that try to creep in. Xico (Francisco Perreira) was an amazing character who led a fascinating life, from childhood to death. He was my father’s friend and was raised as his brother. Sereste pra Mineira is a serenade for my wife, Aldelira. Valsa Paraibana takes the Baião rhythm and adds a beat to it. This piece is a celebration! Paco de Santo Drinks at the Kinsale: This composition was written for Duozona as part of a yet-to-be-completed New York Suite which was to offer colors and vignettes of New York City. Paco de Santo is an attempt to mix Irish music with a Latino edge: a tribute to the New York’s two biggest parades: St. Patrick’s Day and the Puerto Rican Day parades. The Kinsale Tavern is located on East 93rd Street and 3rd Avenue, just south of the border with Spanish Harlem. G. Barker, K. Toriello, K. Watanabe, Gods of Technology Douglas DaSilva Autumn Promise : I had a difficult time printing Autumn Promise. There seems to have been something wrong with the pdf file that George Barker had emailed me. Eventually, I managed to print it and attempted to play it over the next month. I felt that there is something special about the piece and offered it to Kurt Toriello. I was surprised when Kurt told me he was willing to try out the piece since he was preparing to perform some rather substantial pieces on the May 31st concert. He too ran into difficulty with printing the file; but unassumingly thought that he had been emailed a very “modern” work with its strange percentage signs and dollar signs spread out in a seemingly orderly fashion on staff lines. I corrected him before he got carried away. But, the seed had been planted. Kurt showed it to guitarist Kai Watanabe, who said “I was amazed by Kurt who, through intuition, found a connection between the so called ‘bad score' and my improvisational idea.” So, Autumn Promise will be performed twice. Once in its original format and once in the format "corrupted" (or is it some kind of "forced-evolution"?) by modern technology and interpreted by two young brave guitarists!! Angelo Gilardino Ocram: This composition was written during July 1973 for my young pupil Marco De Santi, who gav the first public performance on August 12th, 1973, during the concert he played for the summer course of interpretation for young guitarists held at Roasio S. Eusebio (Italy). Submitted to the 24th International competition for composition "G. B. Viotti" (pieces for one or two instruments) "Ocram" was awarded the gold medal as the best composition of the year. JP Schlegelmilch For Guitar and Piano: This piece took shape partly through recording and transcribing improvisations that Jonathan and I did. A recorded excerpt of the improvisation is used in the performance, processed through guitar effects, and coexisting with the written material it inspired.

The Composer’s Voice Concert Series is an opportunity for contemporary composers to express their musical aesthetic and personal “voice” created in their compositions. Vox Novus collaborating with the Remarkable Theater Brigade and Jan Hus Church to produce a monthly concert series promoting the chamber works of contemporary composers. Vox Novus produces and promotes new music. They are dedicated to contemporary music, the musicians who perform, and the composers that write the music of today. Their mission is to cultivate a music community and make their work available to the greater public. Remarkable Theater Brigade founded by Christian McLeer, Dan Jeselsohn and Monica Harte, creates and produces new operas and musicals and takes children’s versions out to special-needs and at-risk children free of charge.

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