“Premières Across Music History: From 1607 to 2022”
Host: Matthew Mugmon
Featured Composer: Meggie Keung
April 28, Thursday, 11:00 a.m.
Info: mugmon@email.arizona.edu
Crowder Hall, $Free
This event brings together composition, performance and scholarship at the University of Arizona to feature the world premiere of Meet at 12, a new work by flutist and producer Meggie Keung. This première takes place as the final meeting of the course MUS 130B (Introduction to Music Literature). Throughout the semester, students in the course have explored five world premières across music history by Monteverdi, Handel, Beethoven, Belioz, and Stravinsky.
Keung’s new work represents the sixth and final world première with a new archival collection for future students to review as the MUS course and musical world grows and progresses.
Meet at 12 is inspired by Korean pop music for two flutes, two saxophones, and electronics. Keung wrote this piece to connect different genres and cultures into one harmonious piece.
This event will begin at 11:00 a.m. with brief introductory remarks by Dr. Matthew Mugmon, followed by a dress rehearsal of the new work. The official world première of Meet at 12 will take place at 11:30am, performed by flutists, saxophonists, and immersive electronics.
This project has been made possible with the generous support of the UArizona Center for University Education Scholarship (CUES)
About the Music
Meet at 12 is the perfect blend of Western Classical background and innovative Asian popular music.
Meet at 12 is a 12 minute piece for 2 flute, 2 saxophones, and electronics. It is a blend of Keung’s Western Classical training with love for Korean popular music. Meggie Keung is a Cantonese American Flutist and Producer inspired by and passionate about different music styles and cultures. She was inspired to compose Meet at 12 after listening to the Korean popular boy group, (TXT) Tomorrow X Together’s Blue Hour. The whimsical melody and funky bass line are just a few elements that drove Keung to compose Meet at 12.
Meet at 12 contains lots of special symbolism in the piece and poster image. The piece contains variations on Korean traditional trot music (ppongjjak) in addition to TXT’s music. The Korean traditional trot song featured in Meet at 12 is Arirang. Arirang is a 600 year old Korean folk song that reflects a heartbreaking past, loss of love, but hope for the future as well. Arirang is an important element for Keung to include as she pays respect to Korean culture and music. Korean trot was the K-pop of its respective time period and should not be forgotten as the music world is constantly evolving.
The poster image includes pastel colors, a Ferris wheel, and a special Chinese character on the Ferris wheel cart. The pastel colors and Ferris wheel are fun, bright, and vibrant that are also featured in Tomorrow X Together’s Blue Hour music video. Ferris wheels are also very popular at carnival events. Sticking to a carnival theme it relates to an event Keung created with Groundworks, a local Tucson youth-driven arts nonprofit, the Groundworks Carnival on January 30th, 2022. This was a big event for Keung to lead and gain experience in community outreach and fundraising within the Fine Arts industry. Attached to the Ferris wheel are pink carts. The carts have a special Chinese character which is Keung’s Chinese last name. Keung is very proud of her Cantonese background and proudly represents her family.
Lastly, the final symbolic element is the number, 12. Keung’s birthday is April 12th and her two younger brothers’ have birthdays on the 12th as well. The number 12 continues to appear in her life that brings joy and significance. TXT’s Blue Hour contains a longer title called You and I Found in the Sky at 5:53. 5:53 in the afternoon/evening is the perfect time when sunsets occur. Blue Hour is about cherishing the moments that can happen at that time during that transition from day time into night time. 12 is also at the top of a clock and could relate to being at the top of a Ferris wheel. Whether it is noon or midnight, there are moments that we should cherish no matter what time of day it is.
Thank you for attending my world premiere and for all of your support -Meggie Keung姜
About the Artists
Meggie Keung (Flute) is a Cantonese American who is passionate about fine arts production and marketing. She is currently completing her undergraduate program at the University of Arizona, pursuing a BA in Music with a double minor in Arts Administration and Chinese Language.
Meggie’s background in flute allows her to connect to her community on a musical and creative level. She is also interested in music production and engineering. She works hard to combine her background in classical flute repertoire with her passion for Japanese and Korean pop. Her knowledge of diverse cultures is enriched by her travels across the United States and to Macua, China.
Kayla Blackburn (Flute) is a student at the University of Arizona pursuing a master’s degree in Music where she studies with Dr. Brian Luce. She earned her bachelor’s of music from
the University of Connecticut where she studied with Naomi Senzer and served as the principal player of both the University Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Prior to that she studied with Deborah Cardenas. Since beginning her studies she has performed in master classes for renowned flutists such as Jim Walker, Bonita Boyd, Gergely Ittzes, Judith Mendenhall, Jonathan Keeble, and Donna Shin.
Joseph Rader (Alto Saxophone) is a multifaceted saxophonist, educator, composer, and improviser who performs in a variety of musical idioms. As an avid advocate for chamber music, Joseph serves as baritone chair and a founding member of the Creosote Quartet.
Maya Armendariz (Tenor Saxophone) is a versatile performer within the classical and jazz idioms who regularly exhibits a high-spirited and vibrant personality. As an avid chamber musician, Maya serves as a founding member and tenor chair of the Creosote Quartet.
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Event Program
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