Faculty Loren Fortna, guitarist, and Charles Corey, composer, present recitals on September 20

We invite you to our faculty concerts in the Cali School’s Jed Leshowitz Recital Hall:

September 20, at 8 pm

Montclair State University alumnus and faculty member Charles Corey presents a program of his original compositions including Smoke and Mirrors, which was first performed at Montclair in 2007, and premieres of Dialogue and Excursions.

Charles Corey is an American composer holding degrees in Music Composition and Theory from the University of Pittsburgh (Ph.D.) and Montclair State University (M.A., B.Mus.).  Among his teachers are Robert Aldridge, Trevor Björklund, Patrick Burns, Dean Drummond, Eric Moe, Mathew Rosenblum and Amy Williams. His approach to composition exploits and subverts the relationships that exist between different tuning systems; the results of this process range from pieces that use standard tuning systems in unique ways to works that involve multiple tuning systems working in concert.  His compositions are known for their unexpected, evocative harmonies and their strong dramatic arcs.  His music has been played by a variety of performers including Cikada Ensemble, IonSound Project, Iktus Percussion, entelechron, and Relâche, and his writings have been published in several languages.  Charles is the Director of the Harry Partch Institute at Montclair State University.  His current research involves the microtonal compositions of György Ligeti and the total-theater works of Harry Partch.

September 27, at 8 pm

Guitarist Loren Fortna performs An American Rhapsody. The performance is inspired by Owen Middleton’s single-movement sonata of the same name.  This solo, classical guitar program features works by living U.S. guitarist-composers.  These works successfully fuse modernisms with hints of ragtime, show tunes, impressionism, and bluegrass.  An American Rhapsody not only aptly describes the rhapsodic nature of the work whence it came, but the larger than life American spirit found in the vast compositional styles of the rest of the program.

Loren C. Fortna holds a BA in Music Theoretical Studies from Susquehanna University, where he studied guitar with Stan Mullen. He earned a Master of Music at the University of Akron, studying with Stephen Aron, and an Artist’s Diploma Montclair State University, studying with early music specialist Dennis Cinelli. As a performer Loren has performed throughout North America, from New Jersey to Vancouver (BC) as a soloist, accompanist, ensemble member, and conductor. A review in Soundboard Magazine stated:  “Fortna’s rendering of works…displayed impressive attention to detail and nuance.” He has worked with award winning conductors and composers, most notably Owen Middleton, Patrick Burns and William Payn. Loren was a featured soloist at the 2000, 2006, and 2012 Triennial National Assemblies of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the 2007 University of Akron Alumni Guitar Festival. Since 2001 Loren has been teaching vocal and general music in the New Jersey public schools. In 2004 he joined the Springfield Public Schools where he was named District Teacher of the Year for the 2008-2009 school year.  Loren became a faculty member of Montclair State University in 2009, where he teaches applied classical guitar and serves as the Faulty Advisor to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.