Eric Banks and The Esoterics Receive Major Funding for New Project
Eric Banks, Music Department faculty, and leader of The Esoterics, "Seattle's most innovative choir," recently received major funding from the Seattle Mayor's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs to compose a new concert-length work inspired by the 11th century codex of Persian cosmology, scheduled to be performed in October 2008. In support of this project, Banks made his second trip to India to continue research of ancient melodies from Zoroastrian chants, where his original idea for a twenty-minute composition began growing into a concert-length work. Additional funding for this project has been provided by 4Culture and the Cornish Faculty Fund.
The Esoterics is a Seattle-based vocal ensemble that is dedicated to performing and perpetuating contemporary a cappella choral settings of poetry, philosophy, and spiritual writings from around the world. To commemorate the end of Ramadan, The Esoterics present RU'IA: Sacred Visions Inspired by Islam, on Saturday, October 20 at the Olympic Sculpture Park Pavilion. Inspired by Islamic scripture and poetry, the concert features a premier by Cornish Music Department Faculty member Bern Herbolsheimer, Kader Kiç (The Night of Destiny), in addition to Banks' Twelve Qur'anic Visions. Banks' cantata was composed following his travels in India and Indonesia and influenced by his extensive study of the Holy Qur'an. The performance will feature contemporary choral music in Arabic, French, and Tartar with English supertitles. For more information please visit www.TheEsoterics.org.
