Charlie Benton

Entertainment Editor

The National Association of Composers USA (NACUSA) Mid-South Chapter and Mississippi University for Women's Department of Music presented a modern classical music recital on Saturday, Sept. 6, in Poindexter Hall.

The event featured music from seven composers affiliated with various universities, including MUW, Louisiana Tech, University of Montevallo, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Tennessee State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“Most of us [NACUSA members] are university based,” said Joe Alexander, a composer and tubist teacher at Louisiana Tech. “We meet six to eight times a year to perform current works.”

Works for instruments including tuba, piano, accordion, trumpet, flute, clarinet and voice were performed, as well as some electronic compositions.

“NACUSA concerts are my favorite because it’s all weird, different music,” said Winnie Clegg, a junior music major from Brandon, Miss.

In addition to the composers, musicians from the University of Alabama, MUW, UAB, and UM, performed some of the works.

“Whenever you get something new and it’s the first time playing it, it’s a gift and it’s something special. New music is about making friends with composers, and making friends with new pieces,” said James Zingara, a trumpeter and professor at UAB who performed at the recital.

“I love playing new stuff,” added Alexander, who performed his own work “Pop Music Suite” in addition to “Couplets for Two” written by Valentin M. Bogdan, assistant professor of music at MUW.

Alexander also said that he didn’t feel any different than usual performing his own works.

“I’m playing another piece,” he said.

Upcoming music department events include a guest artist recital of violinist Jenny Oaks Baker on Sept. 18, a faculty voice recital featuring Elizabeth Jones on Sept. 29 and the MUW choral concert on Oct. 2. All events are at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. All events but the violin recital are free and open to the public. Tickets to the violin recital are available through the Columbus Arts Council for $10. A limited number of free tickets are available to MUW faculty, staff and students on a first come, first serve basis.