University’s World Premiere Concert Set for May 6
The 40th annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert, presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton, will feature two new commissioned works by Philip Kuehn, an accomplished and experienced music educator, bassist, composer, arranger, author and transcriptionist who serves as the conductor and co-director of Performance Music at Scranton. The concert will take place Saturday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center. The concert is free of charge.Continuing its commitment to commissioning and performing new instrumental and choral music, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will spotlight the work of guest composer/conductor Philip Kuehn at its 40th annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert on Saturday, May 6. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.
At the concert, The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir will premiere two new commissioned works by Kuehn, written specifically for the University’s student ensembles, entitled The Tree and the Wind (for concert band) and Steps Unseen (for SATB choir), according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. Steps Unseen is based on Psalm 77, which portrays the pain of prayer without response, but also the hope of the sovereignty and works of God. The Tree and the Wind is reflective of the struggles of life and the ability to and necessity of standing firm in the presence of challenges.
Kuehn is a bassist, arranger, composer and educator who has performed with Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Jonathan Batiste, Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Veronica Swift, Khristian Dentley of Take 6, Cyrille Aimee, Anthony Hamilton, Dr. Billy Taylor and Roy Hargrove, among others. His bass playing can be heard on the Disney/Pixar film “Soul,” the soundtrack of which won a Grammy. He also recorded on Batiste’s Grammy-nominated album “Chronology of a Dream - Live at the Village Vanguard,” and has appeared on ABC’s “The View” with Tony Bennett. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from The Juilliard School in New York City, and is conductor and co-director of Performance Music at The University of Scranton.
As a composer and arranger, Kuehn collaborated with Quincy Jones on an extensive composition/arrangement for the Beethoven Orchester Bonn in celebration of Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary. Two of his arrangements were featured in a performance at the White House for President Biden’s State Dinner in December 2022, where he performed with Jon Batiste. Formerly the regular bassist for Jonathan Batiste’s groups, including the “Stay Human” band, Kuehn has made several guest appearances on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” where his composition and arrangements have been featured. Five of Philip’s arrangements for strings and choir appear on “Christmas with Jon Batiste,” featuring artists such as Aloe Blacc, Judith Hill, Sean Jones and Jason Marsalis. The album placed No. 3 on the Billboard Jazz chart, and No. 1 on the Heatseeker’s chart.
The 75-member University of Scranton Concert Band and the University of Scranton Concert Choir, a 40-member ensemble, are both comprised of members of the University community from majors and departments spanning the curriculum – the vast majority of them undergraduate students, none of whom are music majors, – joined by a few graduate students, alumni and members of the faculty and staff – all brought together by their mutual love of music-making. The primary focus of Performance Music at the University is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles.
There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University Bands, Performance Choirs, and String Ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year. Other programs within the department - including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection and Scranton Brass Orchestra – closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers.
For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624 or visit the Performance Music webpage (scranton.edu/music). For more info on Kuehn, visit www.philipkuehn.com.
Philip Kuehn and Cheryl Boga talk about The University of Scranton’s World Premiere Composition Series on WVIA’s Art Scene with Erika Funke.
