CONWAY–Grammy-winning composer Michael Daugherty will be artist-in-residence at the University of Central Arkansas from April 23-24.
According to the League of American Orchestras, Daugherty is one of the 10 most performed American composers of concert music internationally. His work has awarded him six Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2011 for “Deus ex Machina” for piano and orchestra and in 2017 for “Tales of Hemingway” for cello and orchestra.
This residency will feature Daugherty’s 2016 song cycle, “This Land Sings,” a composition for two singers and a chamber ensemble. The composer wrote this song cycle as a tribute to American singer-songwriter and political activist Woody Guthrie. In “This Land Sings,” Daugherty divides the composition into 17 numbers, the overture of which recalls Guthrie’s iconic folk song “This Land is Your Land.” Other numbers reference themes such as workers’ rights, suffrage and the Dust Bowl.
Faculty sponsor Michael Hancock said, “Not only is the music culturally representative of our region, it is exploring narratives that are relevant in the times we are currently facing as Americans. This is a series you definitely do not want to miss.”
Residency activities include:
- April 23, 2024, 1:40-2:30 p.m., Presentation/Discussion: The Chamber Music of Michael Dougherty, Recital Hall, Snow Fine Arts
- April 23, 2024, 7:30 p.m., Public Concert: This Land Sings, Inspired by the Life and Times of Woody Guthrie, Concert Hall, Windgate Center
- April 24, 2024, 7:30 p.m., Wind Ensemble Concert, Concert Hall, Windgate Center
These events are free and open to the public.
The artist-in-residence program is funded by the UCA Student Arts Fee, with additional funding through Engage Management. All events are located on the UCA campus unless otherwise specified. All events are free to UCA students and open to the public. No reservations or tickets are required unless otherwise specified.
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