From the left: Dr. Dawid Mzyk, Dr. Marta Plominska, Dr. John McMurtery

From the left: Dr. Dawid Mzyk, Dr. Marta Plominska, Dr. John McMurtery

From the Left: Sam Wetzel, Lauren Zwonik

From the Left: Sam Wetzel, Lauren Zwonik

Apr. 22, 2024

UNLV Faculty Dr. John McMurtery, Postdoctoral Scholars Dr. Marta Plominska and Dr. Dawid Mzyk, and Doctoral Students Lauren Zwonik and Sam Wetzel performed at the 3rd International Low Flutes Festival in Washington D.C.

Dr. McMurtery, Plominska and Mzyk performed works by Laurence Dresner and Ali Ryerson for two low flutes, as well as "Waha'yoo Winds: Nevadian Images" for alto flute and trombone, which was written by Jakub Polaczyk and commissioned by Dr. Plominska. The piece delves into the life and culture of Native Americans associated with Nevada, transforming it into a unique musical language.

Zwonik and Wetzel performed Toru Takemitsu's "Toward the Sea" for alto flute and marimba, which was written a protest piece for whaling in Japan. The piece employs several extended techniques to create washes of sound, resembling the flora and fauna of coastal sea life.