Pastiche Performs at SJU

Collegeville, Minn. - The American Heritage Dictionary defines pastiche (pa-stesh) as: "A dramatic, literary or musical piece openly imitating the precious work of another artist, often with satirical intent." On the campuses of Saint John's University and the College of Saint Benedict, Pastiche has come to mean a performance evening not to be missed. On Friday, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m., this outstanding CSB/SJU music faculty ensemble will begin its 18th year of performance in concert at the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater at SJU. Pastiche will be part of this year's second annual Creativity Conference, Creativity, Values, and the Catholic Imagination.

The evening's program will include a premiere work composed by Bryan Beaumont Hays OSB, a composer and monk at Saint John's Abbey since 1958. Dale White and Bruce Thornton will perform the composition. White teaches trumpet at CSB/SJU, conducts the wind ensemble and brass quintet, recorded a CD and will be playing the trumpet at Pastiche. Thornton will be playing the clarinet, teaches clarinet at the two institutions and directs the jazz ensemble.

Hays' composition is a subjective reaction to five paintings by Grandma Moses. Grandma Moses is one of America's most famous folk artist. When she emerged as a painter, the American public was recovering from World War II and bracing the Cold War. They were cheered by the hopeful message and beauty of her landscapes as well as her down-home personality and success late in life. The plans for the Pastiche performance currently include a mixed media presentation.

Hays won the George Gershwin Memorial Award for a short orchestral composition in 1949 and in the early 1950s he received two Guggenheim Fellowships in music composition. In addition to chamber music repertoire, he has written five operas and composed numerous art songs cycles. During last season's Pastiche concert, Fr. Hays premiered A Song of Three Uncommon Daises. The response from the audience "rose the roof'."

Adult, senior, and student tickets are $6 and children age 12 and under are $4. For additional information and to order tickets call (320) 363-5777.