When Chris Cresswell graduated in 2006, he didn’t know his academic career would include a stop back home in Cazenovia.
But now, Cresswell is back as part of the Cazenovia Counterpoint “Rising Star” concert series, this time as a composer.
A new, three-part work for piano and voice by Cresswell will premier at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday July 14 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 11 Mill St.
Cresswell became involved with the Society for New Music, which is organizing the Cazenovia Counterpoint festival, after founding Cantus Novus, the only student-run new music organization at Syracuse University. Cantus Novus allows student composers to have their works performed in a concert setting. The group hosts about five performances a year at S.U.
Cresswell went to SUNY Fredonia in 2006, but soon returned to Central New York, transferring to S.U. his sophomore year. He finally settled on a composition major, and will be graduating at the end of spring 2011.
The concert will feature Cresswell as well as composers Alex Graham of Syracuse, and Diego Davidenko of Jamesville. Performing Cresswell’s piece will be Katie Weber, a vocalist from Syracuse. Also performing will be Joann Wu on flute and Gina Fortunato playing the piano.
Another “Rising Stars” performance will be held at the same time and place Wednesday July 21.
Upcoming Cazenovia Counterpoint events
July 14
12:30 p.m.: Rising Stars Concert, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Cazenovia, free. Katie Weber, voice, Joanna Wu, flute, and Gina Fortunato, piano, will perform the classics alongside new works created for them by young composers Chris Cresswell, Alex Graham and Diego Davidenko, accompanied by Sar Shalom Strong.
July 15
6 p.m.: J.T. Hall Jazz Consort, Lakeland Park Pavilion, Cazenovia, free. Part of the Cazenovia Chamber of Commerce Concerts in the Park series. Followed by Tom Bronzetti Trio. Bronzetti is a 24-year-old guitarist who recently earned a music degree from Ithaca College. Bronzetti, guitar; Joseph Arcuri, double bass; Rick Montalbano, drums.
July 16
7 p.m.: “The Ugly Duckling,” St. James Catholic Church, 6 Green St., Cazenovia. $5, family fee $20 (available at the door). Staged world premiere of a children’s musical, The “Ugly Duckling,” set in the Adirondacks, a little west of Lake George, and based on Hans Christian Andersen’s folk tale.Music and libretto by Charles Lupia Stage Director: Gerard Moses; Music Director: Neva Pilgrim; Set painting: Juan Cruz, assisted by Cazenovia High School students; Lighting: JT Lee; Sound Artist: Ed Ruchalski Cast: Marissa Rae Roberts, Daniel and Nicholas Fields, Victoria King, Adina and Rebecca Martin, Dominic Fortunato, Aidan, Spencer, Frank and Suzie Procopio, Donnie Williams, Lucy DiGenova, Lauren Gruenberg, Gabrielle, Arianna and Talia Masse, Kate Sheehan, Jillian Carafa, Christof Deboni, with chamber ensemble.
July 17
2 p.m.: Douglas Quin Austral Soundscapes, Stone Quarry Art Park, Stone Quarry Rd., Cazenovia, free. A presentation of stories and listening focusing on Antarctica. Readings from journals and field notes are combined with extended listening and a short electro-acoustic performance of processed soundscapes. This program coincides with Taiga Records release of Fathom, a vinyl collection of Quin’s underwater soundscapes from the polar regions of the earth.
3 p.m.: Writer’s Corner, Stone Quarry Art Park, Stone Quarry Rd., Cazenovia, free. Poet Estha Weiner, author of The Mistress Manuscript (Book Works, 2009) and Transfiguration Begins at Home (Tiger Bark Press, 2009), is a 2008 nominee for a Pushcart Prize, a 2005 winner of a Paterson Poetry Prize, and a 2008 Visiting Scholar at The Shakespeare Institute, Stratford, England. Estha is founder and director of The New York Writers Nights Series for Sarah Lawrence College.
For more events, see societyfornewmusic.com.
