SOCORRO, N.M.  – Looking for something different? Something to take you away from the “new normal” which is anything but normal? New Mexico Tech’s Performing Arts Series’ (PAS) opening concert on Saturday, Sept. 19, fills the bill.

The +Pan Quartet is anything but usual. It will be a unique evening featuring an unusual instrument: The steelpan or steel drum joins violin, cello and piano to form the foursome. Two of the musicians are from the Socorro area; all are from New Mexico.  The quartet will present a live-streamed concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. The concert is the quartet’s first ever, being that they were convened by NMTPAS, and includes a world premiere of a piece composed specifically for them.

Visit the website, nmt.edu/pas for links to the concert (Facebook & YouTube) and much more information including memberships. This concert is the first of the Presidential Chamber Music Series, a free admission “subseries” of PAS, supported by NM Tech’s President Stephen Wells. But in this year of Corona Virus, ALL PAS shows are free, although producing them is not.  Family memberships are available at $40 with access to special events and privileges.  Memberships and donations help support PAS performers and crew during this time of drastically reduced financial resources.

The Sept. 19th performance will be unique and special in several ways. If you are thinking of Chamber music as Classical, well, it is, but not in Classical pre-21^st century style. 

“We’re very excited about this program,” said Eric Sewell, violinist. “Not only will folks hear music they wouldn’t normally hear, they will hear instruments played in a way they wouldn’t hear. We’re excited about presenting this experience to the audience.”

“If you are even slightly curious about classical or steelpan check us out,” said Mike Schwebke, who plays the steelpan.

Eric has been active in the music community since moving to Socorro eight years ago. It was while he was playing in the orchestra for the Socorro performance of Young Frankenstein that he was introduced to Mike Schwebke. But it wasn’t until Ronna pulled the two together with the idea of a concert and tour, that the group was formed.

“We talked out several scenarios,” said Eric, “and decided on two string and two percussion (instruments). There’s a lot of sonic possibilities.”

“We share an interest and passion for contemporary music. Eric is clearly very driven musically and a talented individual,” Mike said.  

One of Mike’s own drives is new music for the steelpan. “The steelpan has only been around about 100 years,” he noted. Pieces have been adapted for the instrument and Mike has personally commissioned over 10 pieces, collaborating in some cases. He has performed concerts of all commissioned pieces for steelpan and has performed with various ensembles around the world. In fact, the final piece on the program was composed specifically for this quartet.

Rather than call it “classical” music (or Baroque or Renaissance), Eric terms the genre “Western art music.” Friday’s concert features Asian composers during the first half. “Our Asian composers are integrating their Eastern heritage with western music,” Eric said. The second half, including the world premiere, features composers from the West. Thus, the title, “East meets West.”

And, while most of the pieces are “contemporary,” Eric said, one of the oldest pieces will be a transcription of a 1930s piece by a Japanese composer originally written for Koto and Japanese flute.

Eric holds degrees in Violin Performance and Musicology from the University of Alabama and Columbia University, and is an alumnus of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. He is a tenured musician with the New Mexico Philharmonic and has performed with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Fe Symphony and Opera Southwest, among others. He has performed at contemporary music festivals and has received a grant to research avant-garde composers such as Rebecca Saunders, whose works explore the sonic resonance of instruments played in unique ways. Eric enjoys playing her compositions, appreciating the challenge it presents. But it’s not the kind of music that connects to the general public (or vise-versa.)

Most people connect the steelpan to Calypso or Latin American music. “We wanted to take that out (from the group) so people can hear the steelpan as an instrument on its own,” Eric said.

Since the steelpan is such a new instrument, Mike said, there are few pieces written for it. In fact, steelpan compositions are mostly 35 years or younger. Other pieces have been adapted for the instrument. Mike studied at Northern Illinois University, playing in the Latin Jazz Ensemble, Bata trio, several classical ensembles, and the internationally renowned NIU World Steelband. He hosts a monthly show, the Jazz Trials Jam Session and has performed with various ensembles at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Matthew Tembo World Music Celebration, Denver's City Park Jazz Festival, Summer Solstice Indie Music Festival, Santa Fe Bandstand, the Montreal International Steelpan Festival, the Patagonia International Percussion Festival and many others. 

He has written an article about the top 10 things composers need to know to write music for steelpan: The sound, the physicality, the harmonics. Mike uses the article when he reaches out to composers for a new composition.

+Pan is rounded out with Luke Gullickson on piano and Lisa Donald on cello. Luke holds degrees in piano from UNM and in composition from University of Texas-Austin. He has recorded extensively as a singer/songwriter and bandleader. He and Eric met while playing in the Opera Southwest. Luke is company manager and a frequent performer with Albuquerque’s Chatter, an innovative concert series presenting classical and contemporary chamber music in informal venues.

Lisa Donald is an Albuquerque native who has played cello in New Mexico for over 20 years. Her musical studies as a young adult took her all over the Southwest, and to Miami, Florida; and Kansas City, Missouri. After living and performing in New York City, she returned to Albuquerque to be near family and has been playing with regional orchestras and Opera Southwest, as well as producing and performing in smaller chamber and solo recitals. She teaches cello privately.  She has performed several times at Macey Center with Willy & Friends.

David Maki, composer, will premiere a new work for +Pan Quartet, specifically for this project.  A composer and pianist living and working in the Chicago area, Maki’s music has been performed widely at regional, national and international venues by many diverse ensembles and musicians. His music has been described as “fresh and unusual” and “meditative and beautiful.”

The quartet began practicing together earlier in the month. “I’m looking forward to the concert,” said Mike, echoing Eric’s comments. The quartet is scheduled to tour various New Mexico venues. “I think +Pan or some version of it will be playing in the future,” Mike said.

 -- NMT --