The Emporia State Music Department will be holding their annual Gala Benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 in Albert Taylor Hall. This year’s concert is held in memory of former ESU faculty member Joseph Ott.
Ott was a professor of music and composer-in-residence at ESU when it was still known as the Kansas State Teachers College. As a composer, Ott was an electronic music pioneer who composed songs to be played electronically on tape and the more traditional route, with instruments.
The concert will feature eight songs composed by Ott and one of Ott’s electronic songs, if the department is able to get the reel-to-reel working. Dawn McConkie, professor of music, with the help of a GTA, discovered a collection Ott’s music. McConkie is trying to get the reel-to-reel working with the help of Indy Dambro. Presenting Ott’s music will be the A Cappella Choir, the ESU Music Department Faculty, ESU Percussion Ensemble, the Mid-American Woodwind Quintet and the ESU Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets for the concert are on sell now for $25. All proceeds go to benefit the Emporia State Music Scholarship Fund. For more information about the Gala Benefit concert, visit the Music Department Office in Beach Music Hall or call the office at 620-341-5431.