Bard gala benefit concert to celebrate composer Joan Tower’s 75th birthday

Bard College will honor Joan Tower, the Asher Edelman Professor in the Arts at Bard, by celebrating her 75th birthday with a gala concert Sat., Sept. 7 at 7:30 pm.

With a career that has spanned more than 50 years, Tower has made a significant contribution to musical life in the United States through her compositions and performances and her work as a conductor and an educator. According to a Bard news release, her works have been commissioned by major ensembles, orchestras, and soloists. A recording of her work, “Made in America,” won three Grammy awards in 2008.

She has taught at Bard College since 1972 and is currently in residence as the Albany Symphony’s Mentor Composer for the 2013-14 season.

The gala concert will features six of Tower’s compositions performed by Tower, Blair McMillen, and Kayo Iwama on piano; soprano Dawn Upshaw; cellist Peter Wiley; violist Steven Tenenbom; the Daedalus Quartet; and the Horszowski Trio. The concert will be held in the László Z. Bitó Conservatory Building Performance Space. A reception will follow in the Blithewood mansion.

Tickets are $7,500 for sponsorship, $75 for individuals, and 75 cents for students.

To purchase tickets for the concert, which will benefit the Joan Tower Composition Scholarship, or for more information, call (845) 758-7196 or e-mail concertoffice@bard.edu.

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