Adam is coming!

Can you believe it? Neither can I! He's really coming. It's true. Adam is coming to our city! He'll even be at our next concert.

I know, you're asking yourself that all important question. Not how did they manage to get him. No, not even is he going to perform. Yes, the question is: "Who is Adam?"

Adam Gorb is one of the most refreshing composers to come out of the UK in quite some time. His music is incredibly varied and always interesting for the players and the audience. He writes music for advanced ensembles based on challenging themes. Towards Nirvana explores the life of Siddhertha Guatama, the Buddha. Yiddish Dances is a "party piece" that is a romp through various Klezmer dances. Adrenaline City is a concert overture written for a number of US military bands that pushes everyone to the limit.

Not everything that he has written is for advanced bands. In most cases, composers of advanced literature don't do well when writing for younger musicians. They either dumb it down in every aspect and the music is simply bad or they don't understand the requirements of young musicians and can't make it easy enough for them to play. Adam is able to create quality music that is interesting for even the youngest of musicians. My faves include Parade of the Wooden Warriors, Candlelight Procession and Sunrise and Safari. Each of these are simple from a technical standpoint but have quirks that keep everyone on their toes.

Adam is coming to Vancouver in October to hear PSWE's performance of Elements his concerto for percussion and winds. We will also be performing Burlesque for clarinet choir and Midnight in Buenos Aires a fantasia on the "darkness, violence, mystery and seductive passion that is all an intrinsic part of the Tango." He will be visiting university music programs in Vancouver and Calgary while he is here and presenting at the British Columbia Music Educators Conference.

Stay tuned for more on Adam, his music and future happening in PSWE.