Campus Connection

[caption id="attachment_22935" align="alignright" width="134"] Stephen Gryc[/caption]

Works featured include those of Composer-in-Residence Stephen Gryc

The UW-La Crosse Orchestra will perform a spring concert featuring works by an artist in residence. The performance is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10, at Christ Episcopal Church, Main and Ninth streets in La Crosse. Admission is free. The concert will feature music of Stephen M. Gryc, the composer in residence on campus May 2-12. The program also includes Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 1 in C Major” and Dvorak’s “Slavonic Dance” and “Op. 46 in C Major.” UW-L Music Department Chair Greg Balfany will be featured on the saxophone. Gryc, an American composer, has always been fascinated by sounds and musical instruments. An intimate understanding of the technique of instruments and the imaginative use of instrumental color are hallmarks of his music. Gryc is professor of music composition and theory at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford. He teaches traditional orchestration courses, as well as courses in writing for wind ensembles and voices. Gryc has written for every type of western instrument and ensemble from duo to large orchestra. His music has been performed by such ensembles as the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, Philadelphia Brass Quintet, Avalon String Quartet, Cascadian Choral, U.S. Marine Band and the Minnesota Orchestra. His works have been heard in 43 states and in 23 foreign countries. [caption id="attachment_22837" align="alignright" width="134"] Tom Seddon[/caption] Gryc was born in St. Paul, Minn., and has earned four degrees in music, including a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan. He earned the 1986 Rudolf Nissim Prize for orchestral music and the James and Frances Bent Award for Artistic Achievement from the University of Hartford. Tom Seddon is conductor of the UW-L Brass Quintet. At UW-L Seddon also directs the Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, along with teaching conducting and trumpet. He holds a doctorate and master’s in music education from The Hartt School and a bachelor’s in music education from Lebanon Valley College of Pennsylvania. He received the Central Connecticut State University 2009-10 Excellence in Teaching Award. If you go— Who: UW-La Crosse Orchestra What: Concert When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 Where: Christ Episcopal Church, Main and Ninth streets in La Crosse Admission: Free.