Contact: Kathryn Kopchik
570-577-3260
[email protected]
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Saxophonist Paul Winter and his Earth Band will present the world premiere of "The World Tree: A Musical Celebration" at Bucknell University Saturday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m. in Davis Gym.
As artists-in-residence in the world's largest Gothic cathedral, New York's St. John the Divine, the Paul Winter Consort has presented almost 100 events there during the past 20 years, including the annual winter and summer solstice celebrations, their renowned Missa Gaia (Earth Mass), and their Carnival for the Rainforest.
A universal mythic image common to many cultures, the World Tree symbolizes the diversity and interdependence of the entire community of life. As a celebration of the creatures and cultures of the whole earth, this world premiere will incorporate a new performance environment in Bucknell's Davis Gym.
Surrounding the audience will be 10 small stages holding the band playing various instruments including soprano sax, Irish bagpipes, cello and South Indian flute, as well as several percussionists playing instruments from African, Brazilian, Middle Eastern and other traditions of the world.
A circular stage in the center will feature a 20-foot musical "World Tree" composed of bells, gongs and chimes. The spaces between the central stage and the outer ring of stages will be open and free of chairs, allowing audience members to inhabit any part of this space to listen, move and participate. Bleacher seating also is available.
Winter has envisioned this kind of performing context for many years. "As much as I have loved, and still love, playing in concert halls," he says, "I often have felt they create a kind of 'us and them' dichotomy between the performers and the audience. I would like to offer people a much deeper participatory experience of music. So my dream has been to create events in which everyone takes part, so that we are all us."
Seating is unreserved. Tickets are $5 and are available from the Langone Center box office in person Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m. Reservations are available by calling the box office at 570-577-1700. Bucknell I.D. holders can purchase tickets beginning Oct. 4; remaining tickets go on sale to the general public on Oct. 11.
Winter's college jazz sextet toured through 23 countries in Latin America in the '60s. He says that experience gave birth to his commitment to cultural exchange and led to the founding of the Paul Winter Consort in 1967, a new kind of ensemble, blending instruments and traditions from many cultures.
Since then, he and his ensembles have traveled the world, performing more than 2,500 concerts in 35 countries, exploring wilderness areas in six continents and recording 35 albums, some in natural acoustic settings like the Grand Canyon and Lake Baikal.
A native of Altoona, Pa., he has received a Gold Medal from Penn State University, an honorary doctorate from Juniata College and, in 1996, the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for the Arts. Three of his albums have won Grammy Awards and 10 have received Grammy nominations.
In recognition of his musical innovations and environmental work, he has received numerous honors, including a Global 500 Award from the United Nations, the Award of Excellence from the United Nations Environment Program, the Joseph Wood Krutch Medal from the United States Humane Society, the National Arbor Day's Promise to the Earth Award, and the Alumni Merit Award from Northwestern University.
This event is sponsored by Bucknell's Forum on Religion and Ecology.
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(For more information, contact Adam Parris at 570-577-8260 or [email protected]; or check the Website at www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/kochel/WorldTree/front.)
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