Simone Dinnerstein’s PS 321 Neighborhood Concerts presents Face the Music, an ensemble of 20 classically-trained musicians ranging from sixth to twelfth grade in a concert called “Beating Down the Doors.” In residence at Kaufman Center and founded in 2005 by Music Director Jenny Undercofler and composer Huang Ruo, Face the Music breaks the boundaries of classical music education and performance.
“Beating Down the Doors” brings Face the Music’s youthful energy to works by five living composers. The centerpiece of the concert is the world premiere of Liquid Timepieces by composer and PS 321 faculty member Joseph C. Philllips, Jr. Commissioned for Face the Music by Simone Dinnerstein and PS 321 Neighborhood Concerts, Mr. Phillips’ piece is cinematic in its intensity and expansive sound.
The teen members of Face the Music will also present four of their favorite works: Graham Fitkin’s sax-heavy Mesh (1992); Marcelo Zarvos’ foot-stomping “Memory” from Nepomuk’s Dances (2002); Nico Muhly’s stop-and-start How About Now (2006); and Jacob TV’s Lipstick (1998), with a playback mix based on clips from American talk shows.
Face the Music’s young players will talk to the audience between pieces and take questions at the end of the concert, making this an excellent opportunity for families with children.
Of his new piece, Liquid Timepieces, Mr. Phillips says, “The years 2010 and 2011 are anniversaries of composer Gustav Mahler’s birth (1850) and death (1911). I wanted to celebrate these ‘Jubilee Years’ by writing a work that honors the profound influence Mahler’s music has had on my musical thinking. Liquid Timepieces is my hommage to Mahler.”
A chart-topping pianist, Ms. Dinnerstein founded the PS 321 Neighborhood Concerts series at the public school her son attends and where her husband teaches. The performances, which feature musicians she has admired and collaborated with during her career, is open to the public and raises funds for the school’s Parent Teacher Association. The musicians performing donate their time and talent to the program.