The Department of Music presents Alyssa Morris as part of the 2021 SHE Festival of Women in Music. Morris is professor of oboe at Kansas State University. Equally noted as a performer and composer, Morris is presented today, Friday, March 12. Registration is required, but the event is free.

5 p.m. — Alyssa Morris Talk and Composition Masterclass

Morris' event for the SHE Festival is combination talk on her experience as performer and composer and a masterclass for U of A composition students. Morris has been commissioned numerous times for chamber and solo works. As a chamber musician herself, her life as both composer and performer go hand in hand. These experiences will be a highlight of the SHE Festival event and audiences will enjoy learning about her varied career.  

More information about the SHE Festival and all of the events included can be found at Fulbright.uark.edu/shefestival

ALYSSA MORRIS

Alyssa Morris has delighted audiences around the world with her "skillful," "fashionable" and "commendable" musicianship (Fanfare). Morris serves as assistant professor of oboe at Kansas State University. She has appeared as a soloist in venues throughout the United States, Scandinavia, the British Isles and Western Europe. She performed as a recitalist at the 2014 and 2016 International Double Reed (IDRS) Conventions at New York University and Columbus State University. Morris was associate principal oboe of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and has also held positions with the Utah Wind Symphony and the Utah Baroque Ensemble. She has additionally performed with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the Cincinnati Bach Ensemble, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and the Utah Lyric Opera.

Regarding her equally expansive work as a composer, the American Record Guide writes that Morris's music "stands out" as "elegant" and "imaginative." Her chamber music is performed extensively around the world, and has been presented at five IDRS Conventions, the National Flute Association Convention and the Society of Composers Inc. National Convention.

Morris has been commissioned to write music for the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, the Arizona State University faculty wind quartet, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music double reed trio, Brigham Young University's Sundance Trio, Ohio University's Athenia Chamber Ensemble and Carolyn Hove (principal English horn of the L.A. Philharmonic), to name a few. Dr. Morris's music has been recorded on the Equilibrium, Centaur and MSR Classics labels, and her compositions are published by TrevCo Music Publishing.