Naper Chamber Players put on holiday show

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Updated: November 17, 2011 11:34AM

Sometimes world-class talent may lie right around the corner from you.

Dorothy Deen of Bartlett, cellist and co-artistic director of the Naper Chamber Players, recognized that fact. That’s why she and her co-director, flute player Marie Bennett, came up with the idea to showcase local talent.

Naper Chamber Players presents “Music of Local Composers” at 4 p.m. Nov. 20 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton. NCP presents music of five composers from Naperville, Aurora and Wheaton: John N. Booth, Edwin T. Childs, Jonathan Kirk, Misook Kim and Gustavo Leone.

Guest artists include Kjersti Nostbakken, violin; Ben Melsky, harp; Misook Kim, piano; and

Christopher Orf, organ.

The program will include: “Trio for violin, cello and piano” by John N. Booth; “Preludes for harp” by Gustave Leone; “Aria” from “Wedding Suite” by Edwin T. Childs; “A Moire Sil”o for alto flute, harp and electronics by Jonathan Kirk; “7 Little Pieces for Flute and Piano” by Misook Kim; and “Aria and Scherzo” by John N. Booth.

“For this particular concert, we decided to do a concert featuring local composers,” Deen said. “They’re all right here doing their creative work, which I think is inspiring. This music has never been played before and it deserves to be heard.”

The work ranges from the avante garde to the “extremely accessible,” she said.

“It’s a real variety even within our own community of artists,” she said.

Booth’s work; a trio for piano, violin and cello, is making its world premier.

“It’s a very romantic, Beethoven-esque trio,” she said of the piece. “It has that feeling of Beethoven and has a real dramatic feel to it. It’s a pretty big work. It’s a 25-minute masterpiece he’s been working on for years. This is the first time it’s been played in completion.”

Jonathan Kirk’s piece has a more modern feel, because he uses electronic instruments, she said, mixed with the flute and piano.

“It’s an interesting combination of timbre, or musical color,” she said.

There’s a piano and flute composition that’s brand new as well that she describes as a fantasy piece.

“There’s a harp piece by Gustave Leone that has an earthy feeling to it,” she said. “You think of harp music and light and airy, but this is very earthy and beautiful.”

Most of the composers will be performing as guest artists with Naper Chamber Players, while others will listen to their work from the audience.

“What is nice is that everyone in the audience is going to get a chance to meet them. We’re going to have a Meet the Composers reception afterwards,” she said. “People can meet and talk to composers. I think it’s important, since this is brand new music, that they get the feedback from audience members.”

People can expect an hour of music. Each of the composers will try to explain the inspiration behind the work they put together and the process behind it, she said.

“It will be pretty educational, and I think it’s pretty accessible for all ages,” she said. “I think it’s great for families to come and experience this concert that is educational in a lot of ways.”