The music department hosted its annual New Music at Calvin concert on Tuesday, April 16. This year’s concert featured original songs and compositions from five student composers and songwriters, bridging a variety of styles and ensembles.
According to Assistant Professor of Music Forrest Wakeman, the concert usually comprises students pursuing a music major with a concentration on composition, and is intended to give these students an opportunity to “hear your music actually get played by real people.” Adam Byle, one of the featured student composers, agreed, and also emphasized the contributions of the performers, saying that “the New Music concert is a stage for composers and performers alike…I think the concert does well to show off all facets of music at Calvin.”
The composers — Byle, William Lee, Christian Dickinson, Maia Reynolds and Eunjin Han — showcased between one and three pieces each. Lee, Byle and Dickinson’s compositions featured classical ensembles, while Reynolds and Han performed more contemporary, popular- and jazz-tradition music. The pieces were performed by ensembles made up of Calvin students and staff, joined at various occasions by the composers: Lee and Byle both took the stage at one point, and Reynolds and Han both sang lead vocals on their compositions.
Wakeman, who works closely with students in the composition major, believes that this opportunity is deeply beneficial to composers. As he works with students, he tries to “help a student who’s already found their voice…to figure out how to say it better,” suggesting that students often find that a live ensemble will give a different texture to a piece than electronic samples. Byle concurred, noting that the concert also allows composition students to “explore both sides of being a musician.”
Byle emphasized the significance of the yearly event to composition students, saying that “Calvin already has a robust music performance program, so I love that there is also a night each year where Calvin’s composers and songwriters can show off their work as well.” Han echoed this sentiment, adding that the concert “is so important as it provides us to hear our own compositions in a different manner, giving us better insights on how our compositions differ in a live setting.”
Byle further emphasized the joy of hearing the work of other students. According to Byle, “being a member of the audience…is an opportunity for inspiration from others’ works and a bonding experience with fellow composers.” Wakeman feels similarly. He views the creative output of students as part of Calvin’s mission as a liberal arts university, saying that he believes the campus community benefits from “hearing the creative output” of talented musicians “and being able to appreciate the fact that this is God’s image working out through them in their unique giftedness.” Han further added that New Music at Calvin “is a great opportunity to experience and learn from the diverse talents and stories of many talented students here at Calvin, giving us a better appreciation of one another.”
Wakeman, Han and Byle all also encouraged students to attend and participate in the New Music concert next spring. Han appreciates the differing perspectives the concert offers, saying that “the highlight of my time has always been right after the concert ends, speaking with people in the halls and hearing different perspectives and reflections on my music.” Byle stated that he personally knows many amateur musicians and songwriters, and noted that the New Music concert has “a place for all of Calvin’s music creatives to show off their work.” Wakeman added that it is his hope that student-driven creative expression continues to grow and find support at Calvin, saying that “there’s a huge world of creatives at Calvin, and they’re out there doing great stuff — so support them as much as you can.”
