Kraft, while located on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, California, will introduce and discuss his composition, "Nonet for Brass Quintet and Four Percussion," in real time with the members of a nine-piece chamber music ensemble who will be located at the Lincoln Theatre in Miami Beach. Via Internet2 technology, Kraft will be able to see and talk with the ensemble and its audience, and they in turn will be able to interact with him and ask questions.
This innovative, remote broadcast of the live concert, entitled "Percussion!," will take place on Saturday, October 1, at 5:00 p.m. on the Caltech campus, in the Sherman Fairchild Library's Multimedia Conference Room 328. This is a media-only event; the public may view the concert on the Internet at http://www.nws.edu.
Internet2 is a high-speed, next-generation Internet, connecting over 200 U.S. universities, international universities, and government bureaus. Designated for educational research and collaboration, the extremely high bandwidth makes it a natural medium for live, real-time, interactive musical collaboration, performance, coaching, and teaching. The technology simultaneously blends live on-stage performance with remote performers, to make one integrated, interactive performance. The increased involvement of music schools, conservatories, and museums in Internet2-related activities is indicative of the growing role of high-performance networking throughout the arts and humanities communities. High-speed Internet2 applications enable collaboration and real-time, interactive access to information and resources in a way not possible with today's Internet.
Kraft, also an acclaimed conductor, percussionist, and teacher, was with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 26 years. He has received numerous honors and awards, including two Kennedy Center Friedheim Awards and two Guggenheim Fellowships, and has served as chairman of the ASCAP Board of Review.
The New World Symphony, established in 1987, is dedicated to the artistic development of its participants, and to enhancing their musical education with the finest professional training. The organization's intensive, three-year fellowship program prepares gifted graduates of distinguished music programs for leadership positions in orchestras and ensembles around the world. The New World Symphony is committed to pioneering and utilizing innovative technologies, including Internet2, to enhance the musical training of its students.
Members of the media who would like to attend the concert on October 1, or the rehearsal on September 29, should call in advance: (626) 395-3227.
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Contact: Deborah Williams-Hedges (626) 395-3227 debwms@caltech.edu
Visit the Caltech Media Relations Web site at: http://pr.caltech.edu/media
Written by Deborah Williams-Hedges