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Associate Professor of Composition Annika Socolofsky is a recent recipient of a Provost’s Faculty Achievement Award in recognition of her “ability to broaden the aesthetic and social narratives within the contemporary genres of classical, experimental and country music through [her] groundbreaking new composition, 'Detective Convention.’”��

CU �Ǹ�Թ�’s Symphony Orchestra has evolved in myriad ways since the university’s formal founding in 1876.

That’s no wonder, considering the seismic shifts in the world of music in the past 150 years. In the figurative blink of an eye, human musical expression has run the gamut from Impressionism to hip-hop to atonal music to country, western and grunge.

Coming up with a program for orchestra that captures that kind of epic scope was hardly a straightforward proposition for Director of Orchestral Studies Gary Lewis. But in planning the Symphony Orchestra’s sesquicentennial celebration—Sept. 24 at Macky Auditorium—Lewis and his colleagues ultimately landed on a theme solidly rooted in the university and its history:�� will offer audiences a musical perspective replete with connections to �Ǹ�Թ� and its flagship university.

“We programmed works that were either written in the year 1876, or composers born in that year, or composers who are CU �Ǹ�Թ� faculty,” explains Lewis. “We wanted to share solid musical connections to the university history.”

Specifically, the evening will include a performance of Suite No. 2 from “The Three-Cornered Hat” ballet by Spanish composer Manuel De Falla, who was born in 1876; as well as the Symphony No. 5 by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev whose catalogue has been a longtime favorite of the Symphony Orchestra, and who was a visiting educator at CU �Ǹ�Թ� during Rowland Dunham’s administration (Dunham joined the CU �Ǹ�Թ� faculty in 1927 and was appointed the College of Music’s first dean 11 years later).

But the centerpiece of Thursday’s performance will offer an even more direct connection to our college: Associate Professor of Composition Annika Socolofsky will bring her queer country alter ego EmmyJean Jenkins to the Macky stage, performing pieces from her original composition “Detective Convention” with the orchestra. “She wrote an entire cabaret show built around this singer and band,” notes Lewis. “The selections that we’re going to do have been orchestrated.”

Breaking down silos
Such creative, innovative programming comes naturally to Lewis, who is celebrating his 19th year at the College of Music. Indeed, he embraces��the college’s universal musician approach to achieving its mission as an essential value in his work as an educator.

“My goal is to break down silos,” he shares. “Classical music can and should exist alongside more pop-type genres. I think it’s important for our students to be conversant in diverse styles.”

That’s not just lip service. Under his watch, the orchestra has collaborated with pop acts including Asleep at the Wheel and the Indigo Girls. What’s more, global engagement is a standard part of Lewis’ activities as an artist and educator: Most recently, he led a master class in Berlin, Germany which included observing a rehearsal with the Berlin Philharmonie and meeting with Gustavo Dudamel, new music director of the New York Philharmonic. He also taught in Paraguay this year, both at the university and in local music schools.

“Conducting is an accumulation of experience,” Lewis reflects. “The repertoire is so vast, inviting you to constantly grow and learn. That’s the fun of the journey for me, and one that continues—to help musicians grow in their knowledge and understanding of the repertoire, and in developing their sound.”

Lewis with the Berlin Philharmonie conducting class.

Lewis with participants of the workshop at the National University of Paraguay, and members of the National Symphony of Paraguay who were the lab ensemble for the workshop.

Lewis receiving an award as “Honorary Citizen of Asución, Paraguay” from the mayor!

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