Community Concert

A duet for cello and.....flower pots?

Co-Presented by The University at Buffalo’s Creative Arts Initiative & Buffalo String Works, a non-profit, after-school music program which serves refugee and immigrant families in Buffalo.

Ensemble Signal teamed up with UB students and faculty to perform drumming of all kinds. Drumming on bongos, cello, and even flower pots! An audience from Buffalo's westside neighborhood, from the very young to the more "seasoned", enjoyed a dynamic performance. Some even tried their hand at a little drumming after the show.

Music by:

Steve Reich
Ken Thomson
David Lang
Caroline Shaw
Boris Kerner

Sunday, May 1, 2016, 3:00pm
Concerned Ecumenical Ministry, 286 Lafayette Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213    

Buffalo String Works students playing In C with Ensemble Signal

On May 4, 2016, Ensemble Signal came back for an interactive workshop performance with Buffalo String Works students. They performed Terry Riley's In C, the same piece performed the day before with UB students and faculty. Even though they are still learning to read music, the kids at Buffalo String Works did an amazing job!

Buffalo String Works students playing In C with Ensemble Signal

Serving a community comprised largely of recently displaced families from all over the globe, Buffalo Stringworks recognizes the importance to our students and our community of music as a universal language. By creating an enriching musical community—providing high-quality instruction on stringed instruments and performance opportunities, BSW provides a creative outlet for children searching for a sense of belonging in a new community and early exposure to music for those who otherwise have no access to it.

BSW also provides opportunities for UB performance majors to teach and to visit public school classrooms where they perform for the children and discuss aspects of their instruments and the music. It’s a win-win for everyone involved; the school-age students are exposed to music and instruments in a very personal and direct way and the college students gain hands-on, classroom-teaching experience.