Spindrift Music Company
         38 Dexter Road
         Lexington, MA 02420

Press Release  October 1, 2007
Contact: Pamela Marshall  pmarshall [ at ] spindrift.com

The Master Singers Tackle a Big Question – The Future of Life

Premiere of Pamela J. Marshall’s new music for trombone and chorus
Sunday October 28, 2007 in Lexington, MA

The Master Singers of Lexington, MA will perform a program of music for trombone and chorus on October 28, 2007 at 4pm in First Parish Unitarian, Harrington Road, Lexington, MA. Music Director Adam Grossman has programmed Look Toward the Sea by Alan Hovhaness and the premiere performance of The Future of Life by Pamela J. Marshall.

Inspiration from scientist Dr. E.O.Wilson

Classical music concerts and environmental causes don’t often cross paths in obvious ways. But at this concert, they definitely do. In Pamela Marshall’s new composition The Future of Life for chorus, trombone and piano, the chorus sings a message from Pullitzer Prize winner and famed entomologist Dr. Edward O. Wilson – the need to preserve the world’s biodiversity. The composer writes, “I found deep inspiration in his book The Future of Life. He writes with passion and built-in poetry about a topic that really concerns me. I hope when you hear the music, you will want to get Dr. Wilson’s book and think about these issues. My mother already has!”

The eight movements range from a conversation with Henry David Thoreau on the state of the natural world today, a warning and invitation to protect habitat now instead of later in “Pay Mother Her Due”, and a poetic vision of species distribution in “How Spiders Came to Hawaii”. Two additional texts, “Bee-Song” by poet Anne Baring and “Grand Grand Mother is returning” by Judy Grahn, celebrate nature and humanity. The music strikes a balance between warning and hope. Dr. Wilson believes there is hope, if we decide that biodiversity matters to us and we act very soon to protect all of life.

Combining trombone and chorus

Music for solo trombone and chorus is rare. Now there are at least two choral works with trombone. Darren Acosta is the guest trombonist. He will be featured in both the Marshall and Hovhaness. Mr. Acosta has performed with the Boston Symphony and Pops and is principal with the Rhode Island Philharmonic. He is a former member of the Empire Brass Quintet and teaches at the Longy School and New England Conservatory Preparatory Division.

Concert details

The Master Singers with guest soloist Darren Acosta, trombone
Adam Grossman, Music Director
October 28, 2007 at 4pm
First Parish Church, Harrington Road, Lexington, MA 02420
Tickets $22, $18 students & seniors

END

About The Master Singers

Notes on composing The Future of Life

The Future of Life in the Spindrift Store