A New Duo For Clarinet & Percussion: Fred O.

CONCERT of a new duo for clarinet (Mariam Adam) and marimba (JiHye Jung) by Fred Onovwerosuoke "Fred O." This event will feature a lecture by Fred O on the background of his "Exotic Dances" as well as a world premiere performance of his new work. This project will not only enrich the performing arts by expanding the repertoire for clarinet and percussion, but it will also help encourage women composers working in a historically male dominated field. As two leading classical female performers, our synergy will show the pacesetting the industry needs while contributing to the repertoire as a legacy point.

For Vanderbilt University, it publicly identifies our institution as a forward-thinking collaborator in the arts, anxious to spur the conception of new music. This project signals that we are contenders in recognizing the need for better representation of women in classical music with a collaborative effort to ensure the legacy of the Colloquium. Our premiere performances of the new work will expand into a set of events—through the innovative model of an “INFORMANCE” presentation—which will engage with Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff, as well as the larger Nashville community, including a lecture by the composers and/or an interview with both the composers and the performers, and an exhibition of visual artifacts associated with the new piece.

Fred Onovwerosuoke “Fred O” is a multiple award-winning composer, born in Ghana to Nigerian parents, with works featured in audio recordings, films, and radio, including Robert De Niro's film, “The Good Shepherd.” A prolific composer with diverse works for piano, solo voice/choral, chamber groups, orchestra, and various ensembles, his book “Twenty-four Studies in African Rhythms for Piano” is considered one of the most-demanded African-rhythm influenced piano studies known. (Pulled from www.fredomusic.com)