A Millennium Celebration:
An Inside Look at
Contemporary Music

A Composer's View:
When all things come together for good, the result can be a most gratifying experience and leave one to wonder at the power beyond us that shapes such things. Such is the case with the project An Inside Look at Contemporary Music by the Orion Ensemble and Mostly Music. Artist performers, composers, and a group of committed arts advocates came together with an interested and devoted audience to experience the music of our time B up close and personal.
It was a time of substantive discussion about subjects that really matter. The arts education of both our young and old as future practitioners of music or future concert audience members, the nature of the creative process, what compels composers to make music, the responsibility of the composer to the audience and the reverse; all this, and more, was talked about in an open and caring way.
The music was the centerpiece. The talented performers of the Orion Ensemble presented flawless performances of four works. These works, while having certain broad stylistic elements in common, were distinct and individual, giving the audience a sampling of a cross section of the many trends and points of view in today=s music. Each composer=s work was given loving care and assiduous preparation by the ensemble. The composers and the audiences responded in kind.
Then there was Merit Music. We all know that the future of art and all of society is in the hands of the young. This experience B three of the composers hearing their works performed by the talented students of Merit Music B was an affirmation that this future is in good hands. Mostly Music is to be commended for seeing the wisdom of an association with this exemplary program.
A very talented young woman, Kathy Pirtle, and a wise seasoned veteran of the arts advocacy wars of the City of Chicago, Joyce Turner Hilkevitch, came together with a dream. That dream was realized, and in the realizing of that dream, the sounds of the destruction of barriers between the music of our time and the audiences who might hear it were truly deafening.

B James Wintle, Composer

A Musician=s View:
The last weekend of January, 2000, will be a lifetime memory for the Orion Ensemble, Mostly Music, and all who were a part of the concerts and discussions with internationally renowned composers William Bolcom, Peter Schickele, Augusta Thomas, and James Wintle.
The planning for An Inside Look at Contemporary Music: Four American Composers Consider Their Work began two years ago. The Orion Ensemble and Mostly Music envisioned a wonderful millennial festival performing some of Orion=s best contemporary repertoire with the composers in attendance for concerts and in-depth discussions.
Joyce Turner Hilkevitch (Mostly Music) Roberta Stewart (Orion Board Member), and I wrote a grant for the National Endowment for the Arts to seek funding for this project. My calls to composers, inviting them to participate, were received with enthusiasm by each one. A magical energy was coming to life B the event Aneeded@ to happen! Through organized planning on the part of Mostly Music, publicist Eileen Chambers, The Orion Ensemble, the composers, and panelists, a successful millennial celebration was created.
The festivities began Thursday, January 27, at Northern Illinois University. The Orion Ensemble performed Schickele=s Quartet followed by a clarinet-tuba duet (with guest tubist, Charlie Schuchat of NIU) before an audience of students at Northern=s School of Music. Composer Peter Schickele was at the concert, speaking informally about his pieces and answering students= questions. Students are still a-buzz with the excitement of that hour=s experience. Special thanks go to Paul Bauer, Music Department Chair at Northern Illinois University, for making this concert possible.
Orion played a noontime Aopen rehearsal @ at Roosevelt University, on Friday. Each composer worked with the musicians and discussed his or her piece. The audience engaged in an intimate and often entertaining rehearsal where vital dialogue between them, the composer, and the ensemble was possible. It was an intriguing introduction to the concert and events to follow.
Friday evening featured a wonderful concert at the Chicago Cultural Center, hosted by the City of Chicago. Tremendous excitement and anticipation filled the hall as Orion musicians performed and invited each composer to take a bow before the audience of over 300 listeners.
Saturday=s events began with a 4 p.m. panel discussion at Roosevelt University=s Ganz Hall. This incredible meeting of minds brought together heartfelt comments from all composers about their music in relationship to the music of our time, as they responded to questions from scholars and audience alike.
One overriding message concerned the importance of creating works that are composed and performed with a high level of knowledge, skill, and passion that communicates lasting depth and brings vitality to music as a whole. It is this communication with the audience that has been a missing component in some of the earlier music of this century. All composers agreed that music must come from an inspired intuitive flow to communicate effectively. They also noted that most innovations in art and music of each era historically is met with resistance until time sifts out the gems.
The final performance of the celebration took place at Ganz Hall on Saturday evening. This concert again was inspired and exciting. The audience, composers, and Orion artists alike were blessed by the privilege to participate in this great event. Jon von Rhein of the Chicago Tribune wrote a glowing review of Saturday=s concert. His February 1st article is included in this newsletter.
Orion thanks Mostly Music for making this collaboration possible. It is through Acoming together@ that we experience power that is greater than our individual selves. It is music=s connection B through the hearts and minds of the composers, artists, organizations, and audiences B that enriches life.

B Kathryne Pirtle, Clarinetist and Orion Executive Director

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