August 21, 2008

Faculty trio ‘Neoteric’ plans CD release party

by Andrea Hahn

Neoteric

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- What do you get when you take a trio of faculty members from the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Music, a New York City-based composer and a new CD of said composer’s music performed by said faculty members? A CD release party, of course!

Neoteric, the faculty member trio, launched in 2004 with a unique ensemble of cello, horn and bassoon. The trio’s repertoire spans a wide swath of timeline -- virtually all of it -- as they play ancient music and brand new music and plenty of what’s in between then and now.

Their latest, “Neoteric Plays Hoffer” features Bernard Hoffer’s “Concerto di Camera,” “Divertimento for Octet,” and several selections under the general heading “Brief Episodes” that include such works as “Murmurs and Echoes,” “Watch Your Bach,” and “Road Rage.”

The CD release party begins at 8 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Fusion Ultralounge, located at 215 E. Main St., Carbondale. Neoteric will perform selections from the CD, and the CD will be available for purchase for $15. Hoffer is a special guest at the CD release party. There is no cover charge for this event.

Neoteric is Melissa Mackey on bassoon, Jennifer Presar on Holton horn and Eric Lentz on cello and roughebtre. For more information about Neoteric, including some of the quirks of its members, visit siuc.edu/~music/ensembles.

Hoffer, a native of Switzerland, is an Eastman School of Music graduate. His music accents many films, television shows and commercials, including the children’s cartoons “Thundercats,” and “Silverhawks.” He has several Clio awards and Emmy nominations to his credit. He and Neoteric first met when Neoteric requested composed works through the American Music Center newsletter. He wrote two works for them, and later suggested more substantial works, which appear on this new CD.