2010-06-29 16:05:14 -

OSHTALI – Music For String Quartet ETHEL Available June 29th on Thunderbird Records
Please visit: www.thunderbird-records.com
Exclusive Composer Interviews & Tracks Available at WQXR: www.wqxr.org/blogs/q2-blog/2010/mar/11/ethel-traces-roots/


Recognized as the first album in history with solely works by American Indian student-composers, OSHTALI (trans. “divide into four parts”) is the latest CD to feature the ebullient string quartet, ETHEL. This 16-work collection showcases the contemporary classical music of students of the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy in Ada, Oklahoma. Slated for a June 29th release, OSHTALI is sponsored by the Chickasaw Nation, and is part of the ongoing groundbreaking initiatives created by the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities.
Alan Bise, Producer/Owner of Thunderbird Records and Co-Producer of OSHTALI, first heard the students’ works a

few years ago and decided they would make an intriguing project. “These student works captured my attention by both their complexity and their simplicity. They are surprisingly sophisticated, and bring a point of view to the music unlike anything we are accustomed to hearing. I’m excited to be part of this tribute to the heritage and to the future of the Chickasaw Nation,” says Bise. Also, in conjunction with the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities, Thunderbird Records held an artwork contest to help determine the album’s cover image which resulted in the winning painting by Mercedes Milligan.
The 11 students, ages 13 to 21, studied music composition at the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy in 2008 and ‘09, under the tutelage of Chickasaw Nation Composer-in-Residence, Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate. “It’s a life-changing experience because two years ago, they wrote their first piece ever,” explains Tate. “And now they’re releasing an album of their works into the classical world.”

During the recording session at Oklahoma City University’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music earlier this year, the student-composers participated in all aspects of the album recording from start to finish. According to 13-year old Aubrey Halford, having ETHEL record her compositions, entitled Stages and Lullaby, was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “It was a great experience to get to work with a group of such prestige.” ETHEL is dedicated to playing contemporary music and has worked with young American Indian composers before. “We’ve been so enriched by the people, cultures, and sounds of the Chickasaw Nation that we feel utterly compelled to share this amazing, beautiful music,” says Ralph Farris, violist for ETHEL.
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby says, “we are extremely pleased to be part of this innovative project. These students are incredibly talented and they should be very proud of what they have accomplished. Our goal was to inspire these students to pursue their dreams. Now, as they share their music with the world, they are sure to inspire others.”
About the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy
The Chickasaw Nation is the only tribe in the United States that sponsors its own fine arts academy. Chickasaw and American Indian students, ages 8-19, major in Art, Dance, Literature, Music Composition, Theatre and Video Production, culminating in public performances at the end of the academy. To further showcase the talents of these young composers, the Chickasaw Nation initiated the composition recording project. The tribe has also invited ETHEL to be the first American modern classical ensemble to perform at their inaugural Chickasaw Chamber Music Festival in 2011. www.chickasaw.net
About ETHEL
Acclaimed as America’s premier postclassical string quartet, ETHEL boldly infuses contemporary concert music with fierce intensity, questioning the boundaries between performer and audience, tradition and technology. Formed in 1998, New York’s ebullient ETHEL is comprised of Juilliard-trained performers: Cornelius Dufallo (violin), Ralph Farris (viola), Dorothy Lawson (cello) and Mary Rowell (violin). ETHEL performs adventurous music of the past four decades including repertoire by Julia Wolfe, Phil Kline, David Lang, John Zorn, Steve Reich, JacobTV, Scott Johnson, Don Byron, Marcelo Zarvos, Evan Ziporyn, and Mary Ellen Childs. ETHEL’s latest recording, Light (Cantaloupe Records), was selected as #3 on Amazon.com’s “Best of 2006: Top Classical Editor’s Picks.” www.ethelcentral.com
About Thunderbird Records
Thunderbird Records is dedicated to capturing and preserving the music of contemporary American Indians for distribution across the world. All Thunderbird releases include music by Indian composers or performances by Indian musicians. It strives for the highest artistic integrity as well as exceptional sonic quality in order to provide an outstanding listening experience. www.thunderbird-records.com



ETHEL Summer Concert Schedule:
7.9 Caramoor Music Festival Katonah, NY
7.10 Mt. Tremper Arts Festival Mt. Tremper, NY
7.28 Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival New York City, NY
8.5 Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival Bridgehampton, NY
9.2 – 9.6 Moab Music Festival Moab, UT