Residency at Temple University

The PRISM Quartet is in residence at Temple University in 2018-19.

on October 16 from 2-6 PM at Rock Auditorium in Rock Hall, PRISM will conduct an open rehearsal of The Anchoress, a new monodrama by David Ludwig, “a composer with something urgent to say” (Philadelphia Inquirer), which will have its world premiere on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 7:30 PM at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia under the auspices of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Set to texts by Katie Ford, The Anchoress is inspired by the medieval mystic tradition called anchorism and its relationship to contemporary society. In what may be the first-ever combination of voice, period wind instruments, and saxophones, The Anchoress will be performed by soprano Hyunah Yu; the early music ensemble Piffaro, The Renaissance Band; and the PRISM Quartet.

At 7:30 PM, PRISM will present a composition workshop titled “Writing for the Saxophone Quartet.” A live interactive demonstration of recent saxophone quartets from PRISM’s repertoire are presented to show the full measure of the instrument’s sound world, and how composers from a wide range of styles/musical aesthetics have written for the medium. The demonstration covers traditional approaches to composition, and extended techniques, including: microtones, subtones, multiphonics, alitissimo range, harmonics, articulation (double/slap/flutter tongue), use of growl, glissandi, key clicks, mouthpiece alone, and best practices in music notation. PRISM answers questions and try out ideas that students may incorporate in pieces they will write for PRISM.