Su Lian Tan
Professor of Music
Email: tan@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5224
Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, 10:00 - 11:00 am
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In partnership with Montréal en lumière
Magnitude6 presents full_range
Tuesday February 26th 2013, 7.30 pm
Petit Campus
57 Rue Prince-Arthur Est
Five brass players, a drummer, and a digital audio technician unite to create an explosive musical event with elements of trash, halfway between contemporary and electro-techno music. With convincing interpretations of works by David Dramm, Su Lian Tan, Nicole Lizée, Charles Quevillon, Sylvain Pohu, and arrangements by the Brandt Brauer Frick group, Magnitude6 delivers its full_range potential.
With the participation of_Sylvain Pohu, electric guitar and audio technician_Steve Raegele, electric guitar
Regular: $25_Students: $10 with taxes and fees
- David Dramm: Lollipop (2003)
- Su Lian Tan: Moo Shu Wrap Rap (1997) - features Middlebury College alumna Denise Hofmann rapping in Chinese.
- Nicole Lizée: Lock the Door, Swallow the Key (2010)
- Charles Quevillon: full_foule (2013, premiere)
- Sylvain Pohu: (2013, premiere)
- Brandt Brauer Frick: Excerpts from Mr. Machine (2012)
www.magnitude6.ca
www.montrealenlumiere.com
Trumpet virtuoso Joe Burgstaller performed the world premier of Ming (Brush Strokes), by Su Lian Tan, on 27 October 2012 at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, Singapore .
The Straits Times, Singapore 28 Oct 2012
".... A highlight was the world premiere of Malaysian-American composer Su Lian Tan's Ming, an evocation of Chinese brush-painted landscapes, its placid waters, gnarled trees, rugged mountains and soaring birds. Partnered by pianist LowShao Suan, this atmospheric score ambled from impressionistic half-lights to a Messiaen-like timeless calm. Burgstaller's part used the mute liberally, totemper the bluesy timbre before going full voice on a song."
Su released a CD in February of 2010, and was on the cover of "Flute Talk" magazine (with extensive article inside) in October of 2010.
“Particularly alluring…began in an angular Western style with a balance of vehemence and serenity” The New York Times
“The stunner of the evening was Su Lian Tan’s Life In Wayang”… The Washington Post
“…a crystal-like evocation of autumn…began in a serene meditation…filling a whole sky with the memory of creation….” The Rutland Gazette
A much sought after flutist and composer, Su Lian Tan’s music has been described as "the stunner of the evening", Washington Post and “…refined, cultured compositions…..Rewarding for everyone..”, Fanfare Magazine. Making her first recordings at the age of 14, she has recently been featured in Flute Talk and American Record Guide. Ms Tan has been commissioned by groups such as the Grammy winning Takacs String quartet, Da Capo Chamber Players, and the Vermont Symphony. Recordings of her music include a recent release, Music by Su Lian Tan, on ARSIS, Audio, which contains Jamaica’s Songs, written in collaboration with author Jamaica Kincaid. Her intermedia chamber opera Lotus Lives was performed to great acclaim in the last two seasons. Upcoming commissions include a piano quintet for Sophie Shao and concerti for Donald Berman, pianist, and David Bowlin, violinist. A current recording project features the Jupiter String Quartet and Bruce Brubaker. Her music is published by ECS publishing and Theodore Presser.
Also a dedicated teacher, Ms Tan is Professor of Music at Middlebury College, where she continues to be a mentor to talented young musicians. She has received numerous accolades and citations for teaching as well as her music, including awards from ASCAP and the Naumberg Foundation, and hold degrees from the Trinity College, London, Bennington College, The Juilliard School and Princeton University.
Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
FYSE 1080 - Mozart Operas
Mozart Operas: Swains, Countesses and Magic Flutes
In this seminar, we will delve into the world of opera by listening, viewing, and thinking. The focus will be three operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Abduction from the Seraglio, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Magic Flute. We will delight in the whimsy of these compositions and seek to comprehend the depths of the human condition represented by them, both in musical and verbal form. The topics will come out of our discussions on issues pertaining to these works or other operas of your choice. In addition to papers, there will also be independent creative work performed informally as the schedule of the class allows. 3 hrs. sem.
Fall 2009
MUSC 0160 - Music Theory I: Fundamentals
Music Theory I: Fundamentals
This course is an introduction to the basic elements and theoretical concepts of Western music. We will focus on such topics as basic keyboard skills, sight singing, musical notation, rhythm, and harmony. Theoretical work and drills will be combined with compositional and performance projects. The goal of the course is to expand students’ musical intuition and skill and to provide the technical basis for further music study. No prior musical experience is required. (Students who wish to take upper-level composition or music theory courses must either complete this course or pass a theory and musicianship test administered by the department to demonstrate equivalent experience.) (Formerly MUSC 0109). 2 hrs. lect./1 hr. lab.
Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013
MUSC 0209 - Music I
Music I
Music I focuses on the materials and grammar of music through compositional exercises. As part of these explorations, we will examine the elements of harmony (scales, triads and seventh chords), notation, rhythm, polyrhythm, binary and ternary forms, two-voice counterpoint, variation, transposition, as well as skills in conducting, analysis, ear-training, and sight-singing. Students will write short pieces for a variety of instruments and ensembles, notate their pieces, and rehearse and perform them, thereby learning about music through discovery and observation. The assignments are designed for students with or without compositional experience. (Ability to play an instrument or sing; MUSC 0109 or 0160, or passing score on the MUSC 0160 placement exam) 3 hrs. lect./1 hr. lab.
Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012
MUSC 0210 - Music II
Music II
This course is a continuation of MUSC 0209. While using the same format, including composing and labs, as in MUSC 0209, the course covers elements of modality (western and non-western), functional harmony, heterophony, fugal processes, strophic forms, melodic analysis, serial processes, and extensions of tonality and atonality. (MUSC 0209) 3 hrs. lect./1 hr. lab.
Spring 2011, Spring 2013
MUSC 0225 - European and Asian Operas
European and Asian Operas: Crowns, serpents and high Cs
In this seminar we will study operas from early baroque and Mozart, to later works in the classical repertoire such as Madame Butterfly by Puccini and Der Rosenkavalier by Strauss, through to traditional music theater pieces from Asia. We will examine the varying partnerships of libretto to music and discover the philosophy of our cultures embedded in these structures. Along with musical analysis, we will delve into issues of prosody and word painting and engage in discussions, research, and creative projects examining its place in our culture, its aesthetic and relevance. The instructor’s original opera Lotus Lives will be presented. Qualified members of the class will participate in the production as assistants, stage managers, perform as puppeteers, and other stagecraft elements. (Ability to read music)
Fall 2009, Fall 2011
MUSC 0241 - Performing Music
Performing Chamber Music
Topic is determined by the instructor - refer to section for the course description.
Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2012
MUSC 0309 - Advanced Composition I
Advanced Composition
In this course we will focus on writing for string quartet, brass quintet, a cappella singing, piano, or performance art and involve issues of technique, style, and practical considerations, as well as study of selected elements of the literature. The course will culminate with a reading of student works by a professional ensemble or solo performer. This semester we focus on composing for the string quartet. We will discuss a variety of string techniques as well as issues of form and orchestration. We will listen to important works for that medium and discuss the styles from the Classical period to this century. Students will compose exercises, leading to a substantial string quartet to be "read" by the Jupiter String Quartet. (MUSC 0209 and 0210 or approval of instructor). 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012
MUSC 0310 - Adv Composition II
Advanced Composition II
This course will focus on writing for string quartet, brass quintet, a cappella singing, piano, or performance art and involve issues of technique, style, and practical considerations, as well as study of selected elements of the literature. The course will culminate with a reading of student works by a professional ensemble or solo performer. (MUSC 0209 and 0210 or approval of instructor). 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Spring 2011
MUSC 0500 - Independent Study
Independent Study
Admission by approval. Please consult published departmental guidelines and paragraph below.
Project and budget proposals for Independent Study and Senior Work should be submitted by the previous April 1 for fall and winter term projects, and the previous October 15 for spring term projects. Budget proposals will not be considered after those dates. Project proposals will be considered after the deadline but are more likely not to be approved due to previous commitments of faculty advisors or other scheduling reasons.
Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013
MUSC 0704 - Senior Work
Senior Work
Senior work is not required of all music majors and joint majors. However, students interested in and eligible for departmental honors (see guideline above, in "Departmental Honors" section) may propose one or two-semester Senior Work projects. Projects may be in history, composition, theory, ethnomusicology, performance, or electronic music, and should culminate in a written presentation, a public performance, or a combination of the two. MUSC0704 does not count as a course toward fulfillment of the music major.
Project and budget proposals for Independent Study and Senior Work should be submitted by the previous April 1 for fall and winter term projects, and the previous October 15 for spring term projects. Budget proposals will not be considered after those dates. Project proposals will be considered after the deadline but are more likely not to be approved due to previous commitments of faculty advisors or other scheduling reasons.
Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013
Activities and Pursuits
Composition
Performance
Flutist
Soprano
