Hazak welcomes Paul Mack Somers, Bay-Atlantic Symphony director of adult education on April 16 at 1 p.m. to Temple Beth Sholom, in Cherry Hill.
Somers studied composition with Warren Benson and George Andriz at Ithaca College and participated in master classes with Norman Dello Jolo under a Ford Foundation grant.
“There have been times, including today more than ever, when the music of one culture has been imitated by another, even to the point of becoming a normal part of the imitator’s music,” said Somers. “An examination of music from the middle east, both Jewish and Arabic, as well as music of India, China, and Japan, will be scrutinized to discover how these sources affected and were affected by European-American music. It will be fun to hear how pieces or styles we all know were actually originally considered to be exotic because of their Asian influence. “
Somer’s theatric works include the film score to the American International release “Without Getting,” incidental music to a New Jersey Shakespeare “Macbeth,” and a full-length ballet, “A Pine Barrens Legend.” He has had his compositions performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall
Somers has lectured at Lincoln Center in New York on “Les Six and the Modern Esthetic.” As director of adult education for the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, he gives lectures on various topics in four southern New Jersey counties.
He is also the founder of Maurice River Music, was for 25 years the harpsichordist for the Virtuoso Strings of New York, and was a reviewer for the Star Ledger.
To attend, RSVP by April 10 to Zelda Greenberg at (856) 751–4201 or email her at [email protected]. The entire community is invited. The cost is $10 for guests. Members are admitted free. Refreshments will be served.
