Whittier College News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Whittier College
Office of Public Relations
Phone: 562.907.4912 or 562.907.4277

Third Annual RealNewMusic Festival Celebrates Original Works

WHITTIER, CA (JUNE 8, 2007) – The annual RealNewMusic Festival, a one-day celebration of contemporary art music by local musicians, returns June 23, 7 p.m., Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, 6760 Painter Ave. $10. $7.50 students. $5 seniors. (562) 907-4203.

The 2007 festival continues to be inspired by original musical compositions. This year’s festival will feature the music and performances of Steve Moshier’s Liquid Skin Ensemble, Counterpoint Culture, Scott Farthing, Brian Kehlenbach, Norman Weston and vocalist Melody Versoza.

Steve Moshier is a critically-acclaimed composer and performer whose work has won him the L.A. Weekly Theater Critics’ Award, Dramalogue Awards and the Lester Horton Dance Award. Liquid Skin Ensemble is a seven member acoustic and electric chamber ensemble that performs Moshier’s work. The ensemble has played at the John Anson Ford Theater, the Los Angeles Theater Center and the Getty Center.

Counterpoint Culture is a contemporary chamber ensemble founded by composer Jon Brenner. The ensemble primarily performs Brenner’s mix of acoustic and electric music. Brenner has performed throughout the nation and internationally.

Brian Kehlenbach’s compositions have been performed by various groups in a number of settings including the Los Angeles SCREAM Festival, the CalArts Contemporary Music Festival, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Norman Weston is a pianist and composer who teaches at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. Vocalist Melody Versoza has most recently sang in the Ethiopian Chorus of Orange County Opera Pacific’s production of Aida. Versoza works as a vocal teacher at Santa Ana College. Scott Farthing is a conductor and pianist.

Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier College is an independent, four-year college offering a traditional liberal arts program integrated with both professional and pre-professional courses of study. With an emphasis on diversity, community, and curricular innovation, the College’s primary mission is to endow students with the education, skills, and values appropriate for global leadership and service. Whittier College is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

Whittier Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, is located on a separate campus in Orange County.