LAKE MICHIGAN PROJECT
As part of Grand Valley State University's Making Waves initiative, we commissioned five composers to capture the spirit of Lake Michigan. Twenty minutes east of our campus, Lake Michigan looms large over our community. We harvest from its depths; we ride it's currents; we are mesmerized by its sunsets; we walk its beaches; we are captivated by its storms. It is a beautiful, seemingly endless natural marvel that impacts all of us in west Michigan.
As part of Grand Valley State University's Making Waves initiative, we commissioned five composers to capture the spirit of Lake Michigan. Twenty minutes east of our campus, Lake Michigan looms large over our community. We harvest from its depths; we ride it's currents; we are mesmerized by its sunsets; we walk its beaches; we are captivated by its storms. It is a beautiful, seemingly endless natural marvel that impacts all of us in west Michigan.
In the summer of 2020 we commissioned Tony Manfredonia, Elena Specht, Logan Rutledge, Olivia Kieffer, and Nathan Hudson to create works based on their experiences with Lake Michigan. They are a diverse group, just embarking on their careers, but already with many notable accolades and performances of their music around the country.
We started rehearsing their music in October 2020, and presented three world premiere videos in the spring (with amazing footage from Josh Nowicki.) The composers met virtually with us and GVSU student composers, where they shared information about their music and careers. In Fall 2021 two of the composers will be in residence at GVSU, where they will participate in workshops, coach rehearsals, lead presentations, and explore the shores of the lake. Stay tuned for details on this exciting venture!
In Fall 2022 we invited all the composers to campus for a residency at GVSU. They led workshops, coached rehearsals, guest lectured in our classes, and explored the shores of the lake. Chicago composer Marc Mellits also joined us, as we performed his commissioned work Dune, in addition to the Lake Michigan compositions.
