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Classical Meets World Music When NYC-Based Silver Roots Visits the University of Mary

Presented by University of Mary

April 25, 2011

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Juilliard-trained musicians Shawn Wyckoff (flute) and Maria Kaneko Millar (violin) headline “Silver Roots: Classical & Folk” — a mind-bending, sonic adventure spanning multiple countries, cultures and traditions — at University of Mary’s Heskett Hall on Monday, April 25, 2011, at 7:30 p.m.





“Silver Roots: Classical & Folk” features performances at the crossroads of classical and world music, inspired by the magnetic sounds of Ireland, Germany, Japan, China, Canada, the United States and other nations. Audience interaction and requests determine which additional countries and styles Silver Roots explores!





Combining the unique timbres of the flute and violin, the one-night-only concert features solo works by J.S. Bach in combination with Irish traditional tunes of similar rhythm and step. Original works by Millar, including “Tsuru for solo dancing violinist with fabric,” color the evening of classical and folk masterpieces. Last but not least, Wyckoff doubles as both flutist and master of ceremonies, transporting the audience through magical, disparate worlds with effortless grace and wit!





Silver Roots performs at Heskett Hall at the University of Mary, Monday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.





About Silver Roots





Silver Roots lives in the continuum between classical and world music. The consummate musicianship and technical mastery of Millar and Wyckoff are coupled with years of world music and improvisatory experience. Played by masters of the violin and flute, this rare combination of instruments juxtaposes the timbres, showcasing the unique sound of each.





Silver Roots’ performance highlights include concerts for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (NYC), The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (NYC), Embassy of Japan in Canada (Ottawa), Japan Foundation (Toronto), United Nations (NYC), Irish Arts Center (NYC), The Juilliard School (NYC) and the University of Calgary. In 2010, Silver Roots embarked on a six-week tour of 10 states/provinces, presenting concerts and workshops in libraries, arts centers, universities, concert halls, and even a bank. The tour connected with local communities in unique and non-traditional settings via Silver Stage, an initiative that encourages audiences to participate in concerts through improvisation, storytelling, poetry writing, roundtable discussions and musical requests.





Most recently, Silver Roots was selected as one of eight chamber music ensembles across the United States to receive the Chamber Music America Residency Grant. For more information on Silver Roots, please visit http://www.silverrootsmusic.com.
Maria Kaneko Millar





Violinist and composer Maria Kaneko Millar has performed as a soloist throughout Canada, Ireland, China, Japan and the United States. Millar’s talent was showcased as Solo Dancing Fiddler in 170 performances of “Riverdance On Broadway” and the North American and Asian Tours of “Riverdance: The Show,” which featured improvised solos and simultaneous dance. Maria also performed in Radio City Music Hall's One World Jam and premiered her creation for five prerecorded violin tracks and one live dancing violinist, All for One, on CBC's nationally televised “The Great Canadian Music Dream.” Millar has toured North America with her one-woman show of original works for violin, voice and dance, playing venues such as The Kennedy Center and The Library and Archives of Canada. Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council have awarded Millar with compositional and space grants; Samson sponsors Millar, providing audio, wireless and effects processing equipment specific to her roles as singer, acoustic/electric violinist and dancer.





Millar lives to improvise. Her arrangements and aural transcriptions of Asian, Celtic, Gypsy, Klezmer, Tango, Turkish, blues, jazz, pop, rock and classical music have laid the foundation for fearless ad-libbing in any setting. Millar holds accelerated B.M. M.M. in violin performance from The Juilliard School.





Shawn Wyckoff





Flutist Shawn Wyckoff is an avid solo and chamber musician who has been featured in performances at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, The Kennedy Center, Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, The Library of Congress, BargeMusic, MOMA and the Guggenheim Museum.





Wyckoff is the artistic director, flutist and musical arranger for TetraWind, a woodwind quartet specializing in contemporary American music. Wyckoff’s orchestral work includes concerts with Continuum, One World Symphony and The Harmonia Opera Company.





Wyckoff is a first prize winner of The Judith Lapple National Flute Competition, the Flute Society of Washington Competition and The Friday Morning Music Club Woodwind Competition. He was named a Maryland Distinguished Scholar of the Arts and received the Stephen Brewster Award (as chosen by a panel of National Symphony Orchestra musicians), the John Philip Sousa Award and the National Alliance for Excellence Award. Shawn holds a B.M. in flute performance from The Juilliard School.





For more information and images please contact the University of Mary Department of Music at (701) 355-8104 or music@umary.edu. Media wishing to attend or do interviews should contact Tom Ackerman (701) 355-8002.