The WSU Symphony Orchestra will present “Ellis Island: The Dream of America” in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in Miller Concert Hall. It is a multimedia presentation with music by Peter Boyer, narration drawn from immigrant testimonies collected in the Ellis Island Oral History Project, and historic photographs from the early twentieth century.
Dr. Cristina Castaldi and Dr. Michael Sylvester, professors of voice, will provide narration. Dr. Mark Laycock, director of orchestras, will conduct.
Boyer’s major work, “Ellis Island: The Dream of America” has become one of the most performed American orchestral works of the past 15 years, with over 250 performances by more than 100 orchestras since its 2002 premiere. Boyer’s recording of “Ellis Island” on the Naxos American Classics label was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. Grammy-nominated Peter Boyer is one of the most frequently performed American orchestral composers of his generation.
Tickets ($12 for general admission with discounts available) may be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office (978-3233 or wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice). Students with Shocker ID get in at no additional cost.
For more information, contact Laycock at 978-6202 or mark.laycock@wichita.edu.