What is Project 21?

Project 21 is the name given to the group of students involved in the music composition department of Oklahoma City University.

Composition students exemplify the versatility that the School of Music endeavors to instill in its graduates. Composition students receive a strong technical grounding and are encouraged to write for a variety of ensembles and mediums including orchestra, chamber, musical theater, dance, and multimedia. Students work closely with the composer-in-residence and with distinguished guest artists. Visiting composers have included David Maslanka, John Corigliano, Ron Nelson, Simon Sargon, Martin Mailman, Jerod Tate, Laura Schwendinger, Ovid Young, Jack Stamp, David Friedman, Sujin Nam, Stephen Paulus, Thomas Pasatieri, and Frank Ticheli.

Recent News

May, 2010

Local high school premieres Project 21 piece

On May 13th, 2010, the first movement of Atoconeura Eudoxia was premiered by the Carl Albert High School Band at their spring concert. Atoconeura Eudoxia is a three movement concert band piece composed by Project 21 president Jamie Whitmarsh specifically for the Carl Albert HS band. The piece had been commissioned by Carl Albert's assistant band director, Sarah Neely, who also conducted the performance. Carl Albert HS Band did a fantastic job with a challenging piece.

April, 2010

Arielle O' Keefe to perform With Ingrid Michaelson

Freshman Composition Major Arielle O'Keefe was selected as the winner of the Ingrid Michaelson Video Contest with her video cover entry of Michaelson's newest single "Everybody". As the grand prize winner selected by Michaelson herself, Arielle will get to perform live in concert with Michaelson! Congrats!

January, 2010

Joseph Cruise Berry "Fantasia" recording

Freshman Joseph Cruise Berry was recently selected as one of 11 American Indian composers to be featured in a new album by acclaimed string quartet "Ethel". The recording of the album was hosted from January 22-24 at Oklahoma City University's Wanda L. Bass School of Music. This album, to be distributed worldwide by Naxos in 2010, will feature Berry's "Fantasia", as well as other contemporary classical works. The album will be available for purchase through Thunderbird Records, iTunes, Amazon, and others.

Ethel Official Website:

http://www.ethelcentral.com/

Jamie Whitmarsh to be performed at SCI Region VI Conference

Composition senior Jamie Whitmarsh will have a piece on the 2010 SCI Region VI Conference. His multi-percussion duet, 'Incontro Deux' will be performed during the conference. The 2010 SCI Region VI Conference will be hosted by Kansas University, from March 24th to March 27th. More information on the conference can be found here.

'Incontro Deux' was premiered and performed by 'Duo' in Canada throughout the summer of 2009. 'Duo' members Brennan Connolly and Dave Robillard commissioned the work in the spring of 2009. The American premiere was December 4th on the final Project 21 concert of the decade, and was performed by Jamie Whitmarsh and Dane Romano.

Tim Holt wins 'Paderewski Prize'

Tim Holt, composition senior, recently won the 'Paderewski Prize for Music Composition'. As part of Oklahoma City University's partnership with the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poland, the I. J. Paderewski Academy held a competition for OCU's composition department. OCU's composition department held a similar competition for the Academy's composers. Tim Holt's 'Percussion Sextet' will have its international premiere in March 2010. Travel expenses will be underwritten by Oklahoma City University; the I. J. Padeerewski Academy will provide food and lodging.

Ewa Fabianska, the winner of the Oklahoma City University competition, will travel to Oklahoma City in April. The OCU Percussion Ensemble will perform her winning piece, "Three Polish Dances for Three Marimbas" on the April 16th Project 21 concert, closing the Project 21 season.

May, 2009

Tim Holt writes for film at Cannes Film Festival

Knock Knock will be at the Short Film Corner of the Cannes Film Festival. The music for the film was written by Tim Holt. There will be a screening May 21st. Throughout the entire festival the film will be available for selection on personal video monitors.

September, 2008

Rick McKee becomes Associate Music Producer for Orlando Production Company

Senior Rick McKee has accepted a full time position with The Imagination House production company in Orlando, FL as Associate Music Producer! He will be moving to Orlando in May and will begin working full-time at The Imagination House upon graduation (some major clients include the world-wide Disney Theme Parks & Resorts, Disney Cruise Line, ABC Television, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Jennifer Hudson, The Muppets, Hard Rock, Macy's...). To hear more about Rick's recent projects, check out his bio page.