Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts

AURA Contemporary Ensemble: Winds of Change

Monday, November 13, 2023

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

In their program “Winds of Change”. AURA performs music that explores moments and provocateurs of transformation. Michael Lanci’s song cycle, “Songs for Joe Hill”, presents texts by 19th century authors who wrote about labor, social, and political rights, while Pascal Le Boeuf’s “Media Control” is inspired by the work of author Noam Chomsky and seeks to represent mass media’s role as a primary source of propaganda. Austin composer Donald Grantham’s colorful and inventive “Slobberin’ Goblins” takes its subject to be the grotesque, shapeshifting creatures of folklore. The 100th anniversary of György Ligeti’s birth is celebrated via performances of his “Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano”, the first work of his third style period, and his infamous and rarely performed “Poeme Symphonique” for 100 mechanical metronomes, which gradually morphs from a cacophony of pulses to the clicking of one solitary metronome in just 15 minutes

Experience the groundbreaking sounds of AURA Contemporary Ensemble in an extraordinary concert event. With a commitment to the cutting edge of classical music, AURA cultivates musicians poised for careers encompassing contemporary compositions. This unique mixed chamber ensemble crafts mesmerizing concert experiences, employing theatrical lighting, projections, and video.

Guided by composer Rob Smith, AURA has commissioned and premiered a multitude of works, fostering partnerships with a range of contemporary composers. Smith’s own dynamic compositions, renowned for their vibrancy, have graced stages across the United States and the world, winning accolades from esteemed organizations such as ASCAP, the National Band Association, and more.

Enjoy an evening that transcends convention with AURA!