Five Southwestern College students will perform a composers’ recital on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m., in Messenger Recital Hall in Darbeth Fine Arts Center.  They will perform 13 original pieces and close the show with an improv performance.

The five composers are Chance Alquest, Winfield; Roger Klein, Derby; Tim Miller, Arkansas City;  Nathan Haefele, Paola; and Joanna Woon, Malaysia.

SC students have been composing their own pieces for several years. Alquest thought it would be a fun idea to perform this new music to a larger audience.

“I just wanted to give the students and the community a chance to come and listen to some new works,” Alquest says.  “We feel like ‘the more the merrier’ inside Messenger.  I hope the people will recognize the talent we have on campus.”

Alquest says that audience members will be treated to a variety of music. 

“We have two pieces for the harpsichord, one jazz combo, an oriental piece, and possibly one with three pianos on stage at the same time,” Alquest says.  “Some will be solos, duets, small chamber, and more.  We have one piece for praise band, one for percussion, a clarinet duo, and violin.”

Klein has one piece that is completely percussive.

“Drums and marimba are the basic instruments along with a few other special percussion instruments,” Klein says.  “The other piece by me is actually a praise and worship song.  That style comes easily to me because I have such a large amount of experience in working with praise bands.”

There is no admission charge for the event.  The five composers will attend a reception following the concert for audience members to mingle with or ask questions.