MSUM percussionists perform with 2014 Pulitzer Prize winning composer, John Luther Adams
This past weekend, 11 percussionists from the MSUM Percussion Studio traveled with Dr. Kenyon Williams to Duluth, Minn., to perform “Inuksuit,” an epic outdoor work composed by Alaskan composer John Luther Adams. While in Duluth, they attended a concert featuring works by Adams as well as a world-premier composition written for the occasion. After the recital, the students received the opportunity to work closely with the composer as he coached the gathered performers on how to best perform “Inuksuit” the following morning. At the performance, Adams continued to work side-by-side with the students and the performers gathered, tailoring the piece to the environment it was performed in. After returning to MSUM, the ensemble learned that Adams had received the Pulitzer Prize in Music for 2014. Congratulations to Adams, and to the MSUM students who had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with a composer of his stature!