smol ensemble is a consort of toy pianists and percussionists with a particular interest in the curiosities and delights of new music. Established in 2019, smol ensemble made their debut at the 2019 SoundNow Festival, Atlanta's Contemporary Music Festival. Composed of Justin Greene, Olivia Kieffer, Amy O'Dell, Monica Pearce, and Paul Stevens, the ensemble focuses on works that explore playful timbral sonorities, open endedness, improvisatory elements, and everything toy piano-related. In addition to regularly performing compositions by each of the five ensemble members, smol ensemble has commissioned works by Nickitas Demos (GA), Michael Kurth (GA), Stefanie Lubkowski (MA), and Anthony T. Marasco (MI).
Terminus Ensemble of Contemporary Music
Terminus Ensemble of Contemporary Music was founded in 2011 to promote new classical music by composers based in Atlanta, Georgia. As the end of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, Terminus was the original name of Atlanta; however, “terminus” does not only mean "the end", but also "boundary." In this spirit, our ensemble seeks to explore the boundaries of contemporary art music while showcasing music made primarily by natives and residents of Atlanta. Terminus has commissioned several short compositions and performed dozens of works by local composers in our more than ten years on the Atlanta new music scene.
smol ensemble program:
This is smol ensemble’s 5th annual concert at Atlanta’s SoundNOW festival! This year’s commissioned composer is Anthony Marasco, with his exciting new piece with electronics, Revenant. Music written by smol ensemble members includes with arms like roses by Justin Greene, and a reimagining of the Clibber Jones Ensemble tune Strawberry’s Flight by Olivia Kieffer, featuring Tim Crump on soprano saxophone. The group is reviving two pieces from past performances: small talk by Nickitas Demos, and Music for Amplified Toy Pianos by John Cage. All of the pieces will be accompanied by original video created by ensemble members Justin Greene and Paul Stevens. As always, smol ensemble concerts showcase a stage filled with fun and colorful instruments and sounds! Ensemble members: Justin Greene (Birmingham AL), Olivia Kieffer (Allendale MI), Amy O’Dell (Atlanta GA), Monica Pearce (Lansing MI), and Paul Stevens (Atlanta GA).
Music for Amplified Toy Pianos by John CAGE
small talk by Nickitas DEMOS
with arms like roses by Justin GREENE
Strawberry’s Flight by Olivia KIEFFER (featuring special guest performer Tim Crump, soprano sax)
Revenant by Anthony T. MARASCO
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Terminus Ensemble program:
Dhakira: A Middle-Eastern Reflection by Anthony GREEN
Framed in Shadow I / Glass by Brent MILAM & Joshua NUNEZ
Images (movements 1 & 2) by Jung Hyun LEE