Performance

The chamber music program presents the fall version of its biannual Honors Concert, featuring some of the most advanced music students at the Meadows School. Come hear passionate, committed groups selected by the faculty to feature the highest performance standards exhibited at SMU.

Created by The Civilians; written by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis; music and lyrics by Michael Friedman; directed by Blake Hackler. Photo Gallery

The MSO presents Lament and Prayer by Aaron Jay Kernis, written in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Holocaust, with faculty artist and former Dallas Symphony concertmaster Emanuel Borok as guest soloist. Also on the program is Dvorak’s dark and passionate Symphony No.7, composed in 1884 on commission for the Royal Philharmonic Society in London and considered one of the composer’s greatest works.

The Meadows World Music Ensemble, under the direction of Jamal Mohamed, welcomes guest dancers Millicent Johnnie and Alia Mohamed for an exploration of music and dance from cultures around the globe. The ensemble combines exotic instruments from Africa, Asia and the Middle East with standard Western orchestral instruments to create unique interpretations of traditional folk melodies as well as original compositions. Hot drumming and imaginative improvisation are hallmarks of the group’s concerts.

The Latin word “Ave” – translated as “Hail” – was the first word that the angel Gabriel said to the Virgin Mary. As the season of Advent approaches, the Meadows choirs salute Mary, along with other spiritual mothers in our world – Eve and Mother Earth among them.

Experience an evening of premieres of new works by students in the SMU music composition program.  Chamber, electronic, traditional, experimental – you never know what to expect, but can always count on fresh, innovative and engaging music that you won’t hear anywhere else!

SYZYGY takes over the Hope Theatre, bringing in internationally renowned DJ Dennis DeSantis for a live remix performance of Terry Riley’s In C. Strings, winds, pianos, percussion and singers will join DeSantis and ensemble director Matt Albert for a thrilling performance of this seminal minimalist work.

The Meadows Guitar Ensemble will present a program of music for guitar quartet, trio and duo, featuring traditional and contemporary works from Spain and Latin America.

Mariachi Espuelas de Plata, under the direction of Gabriel “El Flaco” Barbosa, is known throughout North Texas for its presentation of authentic mariachi music.

The Meadows Jazz Orchestra, directed by Akira Sato, is a 17-piece group exploring the traditions of large ensemble jazz as well as introducing new works by professional and student composers. Traditional repertoire is influenced by such groups as the Count Basie Orchestra, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Stan Kenton Orchestra and Duke Ellington. New works introduced by the MJO include those by the director, other Meadows faculty and current students.