June 13, 2001 For Immediate Release Contact: Jeffrey James 516-797-9166 or [log in to unmask] DAN LOCKLAIR'S BRIEF MASS TO BE PERFORMED IN SWITZERLAND BY VOCAPELLA BASEL Performances on June 16, 17, 23 and 24 American Composer Dan Locklair's Brief Mass will be performed in Switzerland four times in the next two weeks by Vocapella Basel. These performances will be given on Saturday, June 16 - 8 PM at St. Laurentius Church in Bulach, on Sunday June 17 - 5:30 PM at Liebfrauenkirche in Zurich, on Saturday, June 23 - 8 PM at Peterskirche in Basel and on Sunday, June 24 - 6:30 PM at St. Anton in Pratteln. Works by Benjamin Britten, Darius Milhaud and Maurice Durufle will also be presented at these concerts. Vocapella Basel is based in Basel, Switzerland. The group consists of 15 SATB voices. For more information about them, please visit their webpage at http://home.datacomm.ch/vocapella/home.html. Dan Locklair has supplied the following notes about his Brief Mass: "Like the basic bread and wine elements of Mass, the fundamental musical materials of Brief Mass are simple. Yet, like the profound and eternal meanings of Mass, the use and development of the musical materials strive for deeper musical dimensions. The pitch material of each movement is basic, very limited and does not stray from its foundation pitches. Each individual movement serves as a vital link to the whole of the work. Throughout its duration, symbolism is invoked (including numerical symbolism), and the Holy Number 3 is the inspiration for each movement's three-part structure. The ultimate aim of this work is the successful musical illumination of one of the most significant texts in the world." The music of internationally recognized composer Dan Locklair is influenced by a wide variety of traditions, ranging from Medieval to modern music. The works of Benjamin Britten and Aaron Copland have had a significant impact on his writing. His music has been performed throughout Europe and North America by many major orchestras, choral groups, chamber ensembles and soloists. Several of these works have received major awards, including the 1989 Barlow International Competition Award for changing perceptions & Epitaph and the 1996 American Guild of Organists Composer of the Year Award. He is currently Professor of Music and Composer -in-Residence at Winston-Salem's Wake Forest University. Dan Locklair's website is located at http://www.wfu.edu/~locklair. He is represented by Jeffrey James Arts Consulting - 516-797-9166 - phone and fax, to whom inquiries about his music can be directed. For more information about composer Dan Locklair, please contact Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-797-9166 or [log in to unmask] -30-