Music’s Grosso to headline first ‘After Thoughts’ presentation of 2013-14
Prof. Cheryl Grosso
UW-Green Bay Music Prof. Cheryl Grosso will share her insights on making music from multiple perspectives Tuesday, Oct. 1, presenting “Inspiration, Influence and Interpretation: The Musical Experience of Composer and Performer” during the first After Thoughts presentation of the 2013-14 academic year.
The event will begin with a 5 p.m. hors d’oeuvres reception, followed by the 6 p.m. program, in the Grand Foyer of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts at UW-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive.
During her presentation, Grosso will discuss two very different genres of compositions — hand drumming and classical music. She also will talk about the composers that have most influenced her, and the variety of other factors (environmental, personal, professional) that influence her creative voice. Grosso will give audiences insight into her compositional process — the “inspiration” portion of the talk — showing images of her scores so attendees can see firsthand how the look of some music differs greatly from that to which they may be accustomed. In discussing interpretation, Grosso will focus on both her process for realizing a musical score — how she determines every nuance of a sound she will produce — and the experience of having her compositions performed by others.
Grosso is an award-winning UW-Green Bay alumna who has served on the faculty since 1985. She earned the Founders Award for Excellence in Scholarship in 2004 and the prestigious Frankenthal Professorship the year after that. Well-known for her innovative musicianship, Grosso teaches percussion, new music, hand drumming, aural skills and world music while maintaining an active schedule as a percussion soloist, chamber musician, composer and clinician. She has performed live on Wisconsin Public Radio and is a founding member of the innovative Olio percussion quartet.
A 1978 graduate of UW-Green Bay, Grosso earned her Master of Fine Arts Degree from the California Institute of the Arts and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Iowa. She has studied western and non-western percussion with a number of renowned musicians, and has published compositions for contemporary percussion as well as a method book. Grosso’s incidental music for the David Ives play All in the Timing won a Kennedy Center ACTF Award of Merit, and her original score for the graphics short film Wave Wires was awarded first place in its category by the California Filmmakers Association.
Now in its third full season, After Thoughts seeks to connect women in the community with UW-Green Bay. The gatherings showcase University faculty, staff and guests, and convene women — and often “a few good men” — after their workdays for learning, enrichment and fun. The sessions are so named because they provide “After Thoughts” for participants to take with them when they leave. Kate Green, Executive Director of the Weidner Center, will present the season’s second After Thoughts talk, “The Performing Arts: What Really Goes on Behind the Curtain,” Tuesday, Nov. 5, and Associate Prof. Cristina Ortiz will present “Modern Pilgrims and Ancient Paths: Saint James’ Path for the Contemporary Soul” Tuesday, March 4. The 2013-14 After Thoughts season will conclude Tuesday, April 1 when Jane Birr, life coach and UW-Green Bay Associate Lecturer of Physical Education, presents “Hall of Fame Habits: Bridging the Gap from Frustated to Fit and Free.”
Each After Thoughts session takes place from 5-7 p.m. in the Grand Foyer of the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts at UW-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive. The events begin with time to network, mingle and enjoy hors d’oeuvres before the featured guest speaker begins.
Seating is limited, so advanced registration is recommended. The cost of each program is $14. To reserve your spot, send a check (payable to UW-Green Bay Foundation) to: UW-Green Bay Foundation, CL 805, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311; or register online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/afterthoughts/. Walk-up registration also is an option. Call (920) 465-2074 for more information. You can find After Thoughts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/afterthoughts.uwgb. Visit www.uwgb.edu/afterthoughts/ for more information about the series.
#13-134
