May 26, 2005
For Immediate Release
To: News Directors and News Editors
From: Veronika Avery, Assistant Director of Media Relations, 342-5444, vavery@ulm.edu

Two music faculty members from the University of Louisiana at Monroe have been honored with invitations to perform at an international convention this summer.

David and Marilynn Gibson will be performing with two ULM dance students, Nathaniel Jeane and Jo Anna Vandevere, at the 34th Annual International Double Reed Society Conference (IDRS) in Austin, Texas, June 5.

Marilynn and David Gibson are instructors of the trumpet and bassoon respectively at the ULM. Over the years they have pursued increasing the available literature for the combination of the two instruments. Having performed Paul Hindemith's well-known Concerto for Trumpet and Bassoon and Orchestra on several occasions, they now have two more works to add to their repertoire, both written specifically for them. "Shortened Suite" is a non-commissioned, published multi-movement work composed by University of Virginia's Walter Ross and was presented to them as a gift.

They will play a piece entitled; "The Maniac of Gadara; Biblical Sketch #3." It is was a commissioned work written in 2002 by Lake Charles, La., Native, Keith Gates. Included in his compositional output are several operas, orchestral, choral and chamber works and he just recently celebrated the premier of his "Cello Concerto" with the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra. "The Maniac", scored for bassoon, trumpet, piano and dance was premiered in April 2004 and according to Gates was a work he had been envisioning for a long time but on a grander scale. However, when our commission was proposed, Gates decided to sketch it out using the bi-polar concept of good vs. evil (based upon the popular story of the exorcism of evil spirits). It is the Gibsons' belief that this work achieves its purpose and is unique in that these effects are achieved utilizing such a small ensemble.

The 2005 IDRS Conference at the University of Texas School of Music will showcase a variety of unique programs and special features including concerts, workshops, and master classes. In addition to the extensive exhibits of instruments, accessories, music, and recordings, the 5-day event will feature some of the world's leading performers on double reed instruments.