Carleton Presents Evening of American and French Music for Piano and Percussion

Carleton College pianist Nicola Melville will be joined by guests Jill Dawe, Dave Hagedorn and Matt Barber for an extravagant evening of American and French music for piano and percussion on Friday, April 9 at 8 p.m. in the Carleton College Concert Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

In this performance, the Latin-American flair and pathos of William Bolcom’s “Recuerdos,” the quirky “Gymnasium Marches” of Twin Cities' composer/artist Steven Rydberg, and the fun and ironic edginess of Michael Daugherty’s “Lounge Lizards” will intermingle with the evocative elegance of Debussy’s “Petite Suite” and Ravel’s “Alborada del Gracioso.”

The song selections are fun and hip for the performers and listeners alike.  For instance, "Lounge Lizards” is a very upbeat and hilariously ironic piece for two pianists and two percussionists.  As the title suggests, much of it resembles bar/lounge music, with movements and indications such as "Martini allegro," "one for the road," and "Mai Tai minuet.”

Melville is an Assistant Professor of Music at Carleton College.  She received her B.M. from the Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand), and her M.M., D.M.A., and the Performers Certificate from the Eastman School of Music.

Dawe, a native of Newfoundland, Canada, is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music. She is currently an Associate Professor of Music at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.  Hagedorn is an Assistant Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, where he teaches percussion, jazz studies, and world music. yes">  He received a DMA in Percussion Performance from the Eastman School of Music, his MM in Percussion Performance from the New England Conservatory, and his BS in Music Education from the University of Minnesota. Barber is a Canadian singer-songwriter and percussionist. yes">  After graduating from Queen's University, he went to McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario for his master's degree in philosophy, and launched his musical career. He has since released five highly successful albums through Paper Bag Records and then Warner Music Canada.

The Carleton College Concert Hall is located at First Street and Winona Street in Northfield. For more information or disability accommodations, contact the music department at (507) 222-4475.