Sustaining the Moment: Reflections of Art and Nature

Texas State alumnus, graduate in the Honors College, and award-winning composer, pianist, and Juilliard faculty member, Dr. Wayne Oquin, returned to direct eighteen of Juilliard School's best musicians, dancers, and actors in the fifth annual collaboration with performers of Texas State University.  Through dance, drama and music, the concert, "Sustaining the Moment: Reflections of Art and Nature", provided an artistic response to the Common Experience theme of sustainability.

This year’s performance featured Charles Ives’ Concord Sonata performed by pianist and Juilliard faculty member Dr. Aaron Wunsch, Alban Berg’s Lyric Suite played by the Afiara String Quartet, and Frederic Rzewski's To the Earth featuring percussionist Michael Truesdell.  Along with Watersong, Oquin premiered a flute concerto composed for the concert, and excerpts from writer Janisse Ray's Ecology of a Cracker Childhood, were featured as well.  A reception for the Juilliard guests and Janisse Ray was held in the Honors Coffee Forum.  Sponsored by the Common Experience, this concert was free and open to the public.

Where: Reception - Honors Coffee Forum
             Concert - Evans Auditorium

When: Thursday, March 10
           Reception - 3:00 - 5:00 pm
           Concert - 7:30 pm

Juilliard Rejoins Texas State

The students and alumni of The Juilliard School perform annually at Texas State University at Evan's Auditorium under the direction of Honors alumnus Wayne Oquin for a Common Experience in the Arts. The performance of Watersong from March 10, 2011 features the choreography of Yara Travesio and the dancing of Lucy Ford Baker. Composed by Oquin in 2008, Watersong is written for violin solo, vibraphone/marimba, harp, piano, and string orchestra. Here, Oquin conducts the combined musicians of Juilliard and Texas State. The violin soloist is Yo-Yo Fann.

This video was filmed and edited by API Productions.

Wayne Oquin and The Juilliard School of Music will be rejoining Texas State on March 8, 2012 at 7:30 pm in Evans Auditorium. The Common Experience event will be free and open to the public.