Centenary Camerata to present spring concert April 9
SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary Camerata’s spring concert will celebrate the achievements of resident composers at the College’s Hurley School of Music, including works by both faculty and students. The evening concert in Anderson Auditorium will be Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
Works by Dr. James Eakin ‘00, assistant professor of music at Hurley, and current students Dartagnan Bennett '22, Corey Bowe '23, Devin Bureau '22, and Anna DiMaggio '23, will be featured, with several premiering during the concert.
"We are very excited to offer our student composers the excellent opportunity to have their works performed by a live ensemble,” said Dr. Cory Wikan, dean of the Hurley School of Music and Camerata director. “With technology, composers can hear their work realized far more easily than previous eras. It is, however, the collaboration between performer and composer that is an integral part of training young musicians. The music on this concert is engaging and rewarding, and it showcases the talent Hurley is so fortunate to have."
Student composer Anna DiMaggio has found the process of preparing for the concert very rewarding.
"It has truly been a wonderful experience to work with Centenary Camerata to hear one of my pieces come to life,” said DiMaggio. “I have been able to receive valuable feedback from students and Dr. Wikan that will aid me in my future endeavors in the professional composition atmosphere. In recent years, the collaboration process has been so difficult due to the pandemic, so it has been not only professionally but also personally rewarding to be able to collaborate safely. It is a rare opportunity as a composer to get to work so intimately with an ensemble on a piece, so this is an experience that will accelerate my career and has provided lasting memories with some of my closest friends."
Camerata, founded in 1983, is the select chamber choir from the Hurley School of Music. The composition of the group is primarily voice majors, though membership is open to all Centenary students by audition.