Fans of new piano works and electronic music are in for a treat as Piedmont College will present a concert by artist-in-residence Jeri-Mae G. Astolfi, featuring works by guest composer Dr. Ed Martin, including the world premiere of Martin’s composition, “Variations.”
The free concert is set for 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, in the college Chapel in Demorest. In addition to “Variations,” Astolfi and Martin will perform Martin’s “Swirling Sky” for piano and electronics. The concert will also include solo piano works by J.S. Bach and Franz Schubert.
Also on Jan. 26, from 12:30–1:45 p.m. in the Chapel, Martin will present a public talk about a wide range of classical electronic music from the early 20th century to the present, concluding with a discussion of his composition “Swirling Sky.” From 2–3:30 p.m., he will conduct a composition master class for Piedmont music students, which is also open to the public.
Originally from Canada, Astolfi has served on the music faculty at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and at Henderson State University. She frequently serves as a piano clinician, coach, and master class instructor. An active member in various local, state, and national music associations, she is on the governing board of PianoArts, a North American piano competition, festival, and fellowship organization.
Martin is an award-winning composer originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His music has been performed throughout the U.S. and abroad. He is an associate professor of music at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where he teaches composition, music theory, and aural skills and administers the UW Oshkosh Electronic Music Studio.
