UMaine School of Performing Arts to present ‘Mostly Maine Composers’ concert Sept. 23

Grammy-nominated and internationally recognized mezzo-soprano D’Anna Fortunato will celebrate Maine composers in a Sept. 23 concert at the University of Maine School of Performing Arts.

Taking the Minsky Recital Hall stage with Fortunato for the 7:30 p.m., “Mostly Maine Composers” concert will be Peter H. Bloom, multiple flutes; Thomas Hill, clarinet; and Mary Jane Rupert, piano and harp.

Tickets are $9, or free with a valid student MaineCard, and available online. For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call 207.581.4703.

The performance also will be held at 3 p.m., Sept. 24 at the University of Maine at Augusta.

The program will be a tribute to composer and Bowdoin College professor emeritus Elliott Schwartz in his 80th year, and will honor other Maine composers: Beth Wiemann, Richard Nelson, Elizabeth Vercoe and Michael Viens. The Maine composers will be on hand to introduce their pieces and discuss the music in an informal post-concert Q&A.

The unique program will feature the premiere of “Dividend” (2016, for voice, flute, clarinet and piano), written for the occasion by Wiemann, chair of the Music Department at UMaine School of Performing Arts. Also being performed: “Souvenir for Clarinet and Piano” (1990) and “Soliloquy III for Solo Flute” (2015, written for Peter H. Bloom) by Schwartz; “Play of Light” (2010, for Bloom and Rupert: flute, piccolo, bass flute, and harp) by Richard Nelson, professor of music at the University of Maine at Augusta; “Ah, Winged Muse” and other songs by Michael Viens; “As It Fell Upon a Day” for (voice, flute, and clarinet) by Aaron Copland; “Kleemation” (2003, flute and piano) by Elizabeth Vercoe and “Four Fragments from the Canterbury Tales” (voice, flute, clarinet, and piano) by Lester Trimble.