PULLMAN, Wash. — Four new compositions by Washington State University music professor Gregory Yasinitsky will be premiered later in two performances in May at the Clarkston High School Performing Arts Center in Clarkston.
The new pieces will be performed by ensembles from Clarkston High School under the direction of award-winning music educator Fred Dole. Yasinitsky’s compositions were created as part of a residency funded by The Commission Project of New York, a national organization, which places composers in the public schools.
The Clarkston High School vocal ensembles will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23. The Jazz Choir (award winners at the 2002 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival) will premiere Yasinitsky’s “Just the Spot” with lyrics by Dole. The lyrics speak to the pleasures of living in the Clarkston area. The Concert Choir will premiere Yasinitsky’s setting of the Russian folk song “Troika Rushing.”
On Thursday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m., the Clarkston High School bands will be heard in concert. The Jazz Band will premiere Yasinitsky’s “Packin’ Heat,” a swinging shuffle blues. The Clarkston High School Wind Ensemble will premiere Yasinitsky’s “Hells Canyon,” inspired by one of the region’s natural wonders.
Additionally, Yasinitsky will appear as a guest saxophone soloist with the Jazz Band in a performance of Bill Reddie’s “Channel One Suite” from the Buddy Rich library.
