UW-Green Bay faculty recital to feature miniature masterpieces

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay music faculty and special guests will present the inaugural concert of “a very small consortium,” a new music ensemble dedicated to the performance of miniature masterpieces, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 in Fort Howard Hall at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts.

This innovative ensemble performs pieces that are either 100 notes or fewer, or one minute or less in duration. The works to be played Saturday were selected from a call for scores in which composers from all over the world submitted more than 100 diminutive pieces. The concert is a fun way for musical experts and newcomers alike to enjoy contemporary music, said Michelle McQuade Dewhirst, assistant professor of music who both composed and will perform various pieces for the concert.

“Part of the goal is to present new music in an accessible way,” she said. “We feature the faculty as soloists and in varying ensemble configurations. It’s really been a great collaborative experience, putting this together.”

“a very small consortium” (lowercase by design) comes on the heels of a miniatures concert performed during Fall 2011 at UW-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive. For many composers, the idea of writing miniature pieces is very appealing, McQuade Dewhirst said. The pieces performed Saturday will feature voice, brass, woodwinds, percussion and strings — punctuated by a very small intermission. Admission is free. For more information about “a very small consortium.”