Aspen Music Festival and School Director of Educational Outreach, Debby Barnekow, gives us an inside look at the second week of her two-week Composer Forum in area schools.  

Guest composer Andrew Norman and I will be checking in with all the student composers, looking at their music. There is much to do for the Music and M.O.R.E. concert on Friday, April 25 at Harris Concert Hall at 6:30 pm. For most of the composers, this is their first piece to be performed. There are also the seasoned composers, Evie Herrera, Taylor Crist, and Pearce Littler for whom this will be their third world premiere.

There is such a variety of styles in what these students have written. From Milo Turner’s (age 10) first piano concerto, to Audrey Sichel’s (age 13) poignant love song, to Paul Jung’s and Dominic Franklin’s jazz pieces, to the award winning pieces of Evie Herrera (age 18), who has a choir piece, and Pearce Littler (age 17) who will play his violin/piano duo. There is much more to come, with something for everyone to enjoy!