Never miss a surprise or a concert!
Never miss a surprise or a concert!
Knowing the West offered a captivating journey through the musical and cultural heritage of the American West, conducted by Maestro Steven Byess. The evening began with an introduction from Dr. Mindy Besaw, setting the tone for a night of rich storytelling through music.
The program included a tribute to regional folk traditions, followed by the evocative Yakona, composed by Sara Carina Graef, who was a special guest at the event and shared personal insights into her piece. The night concluded with an energetic performance of a beloved American classic, celebrating the spirit of the West.
This event was part of a larger initiative to engage the community with the artistic heritage of the region, leaving the audience with a deep appreciation for the connection between music, art, and history.
The Music
Arkansas Traveler
(A Moment Riverside)
Sara Carina Graef - Yakona, (2023)
Guest Composer Dr. Sara Carina Graef
Sara Carina Graef’s music has been performed across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Mexico. She has held numerous residencies, including the Ucross and Wurlitzer Foundations, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Dr. Graef teaches at Cal State LA, where she founded the Composer/ Performer Collective and directs the New Music Ensemble. She is passionate about advocacy and activism, championing diverse composers and incorporating themes of social and environmental justice in her music. Recent works include Yakona (2023), A Woman’s Life (and Love) (2019), Polar Bear (2021), and Meadowlark (2021). Dr. Graef earned her Bachelor of Music from Southern Methodist University and her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California. She serves on the advisory team of the Institute for Composer Diversity, and is passionate about travel, nature, and her family.
Guest Composer Troy Armstrong
Troy Armstrong (b. 1990, Tulsa, OK) is a composer, arranger, and conductor based in Nashville, TN. He has won numerous awards, including the MENC Collegiate Composition Competition and the Marilyn K. Glick Young Composer’s Competition. His piece Supercell was performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 2014. Troy has composed for groups such as the A.I.M Ensemble and the Church of the Resurrection Choirs and Orchestra. His works have been performed across the USA, Canada, Europe, and more, in venues like the Kennedy Center and Cadogan Hall. His 16-movement oratorio, The River of Light, premiered in 2017 with over 200 musicians, commemorating the unveiling of the Resurrection Window, the world’s largest stained-glass window. Troy holds degrees from the University of Southern California (B.M.) and the University of Texas at Austin (M.M.), and has studied with Donald Grantham, Frank Ticheli, and Morten Lauridsen.
