New Music. New Audience. New Experience. Callen Clarke - Composer Kyle Dillingham - Solo Violin Normandie (Oklahoma Community Orchestra, John Fletcher) Callen and Kyle's first collaboration piece, premiered by the the Edmond North Orchestra in 2008. The SS Normandie was arguably the most beautiful ship ever built, but it was lost in a tragic fire in 1942. Since its premiere, "Normandie" has been performed over a dozen times with various orchestras and ensembles. The Argosy Overture (University of Central Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, Ralph Morris) Callen and Kyle's first funded commission, by the Centre for Global Competency at the University of Central Oklahoma. This overture for solo violin and orchestra was premiered in 2009 and tells the story of a global explorer, transformed by his adventures abroad. "The Argosy Overture" has also been performed multiple times since its premiere. The Mary Rose (Oklahoma Community Orchestra, John Fletcher) This Tribute to the flagship of King Henry VIII laid the groundwork for new Oklahoma-Great Britain relations. HRH Prince Charles sent two delegates from the Mary Rose Trust to be in Oklahoma City for the premiere in 2009. The immense success of "The Mary Rose" proved that symphonic music can be used as a vessel for growing new audience, strengthening community and building international relations. Wiley Post (Demo arranged for keyboard, Callen Clarke) Commissioned by the Oklahoma History Center, Wiley Post was premiered at the 2011 OK Mozart Festival with the Amici New York Orchestra, James Bagwell conducting. This Tone Poem for violin and orchestra depicts the life of Wiley Post from his humble rearing in rural Northeast Oklahoma to his worldwide fame and shocking death. Wiley was the first pilot to fly solo around the world. He discovered the jet stream and developed the pressure suit that paved the way for space travel. Life Symphony (Demo arranged for keyboard, Callen Clarke) In 2007, Clarke had the idea to write a symphony that "conveys the value of human life" - a piece with the intent that "life is worth living." In 2012 Dillingham premiered this violin symphony with the Amici NY Orchestra as the Grand Finale of the OK Mozart Festival in both Bartlesville and Oklahoma City. The "Life Symphony" depicts the arc of a human life in 7 movements. The "Nocturne" is without complexity of any kind - an idealization of childhood experience, dream-like and serene. Kyle Dillingham started playing the violin when he was nine and received his bachelor's degree in instrumental music performance from Oklahoma City University. He is an Oklahoma Creativity Ambassador and was a 2009 recipient of the OK Governor's Art's Award. Kyle also works as the “Ambassador in Residence” at the University of Central Oklahoma, using his “musical diplomacy” to help develop and strengthen new overseas relationships for the university. While still in high school, Kyle was featured twice on Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. He has performed for the King of Malaysia, the Princess of Thailand, Singapore’s National Day Celebration, and his performance at the Beijing Central Conservatory was broadcast on Chinese national television. A frequent visitor to Washington D.C, he has performed for the Japanese, Thai and Saudi Arabian Ambassadors, to name a few. He has also performed several times with Roy Clarke and Hank Thompson. He has been soloist with the Amici New York Orchestra, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the Enid Symphony Orchestra, the UCO Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra and the Oklahoma Community Orchestra. Kyle has taken his music to over 30 countries earning him the title of “Oklahoma’s Musical Ambassador.” Callen Clarke, of Edmond, Oklahoma, began composing at the age of five when his family moved to Oklahoma. He was encouraged to become a symphonic composer at the age of ten by his piano teacher, Virginia Campbell, an Oklahoma-based pianist of international reputation. Clarke studied composition at Oklahoma City University under Dr. Ray Luke and Frank Payne while minoring in piano performance. Later he continued at Oklahoma Baptist University, under Dr. James Vernon. Clarke is also a Middle-Eastern music specialist and performs and concertizes regularly on the Oud. In 2007 Clarke had his symphonic debut with the Oklahoma Centennial Overture as part of the statewide celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the State of Oklahoma. The Centennial Overture was premiered by the Enid Symphony Orchestra, in December of that year. Since then Callen has premiered at least two works a year with various orchestras, choirs and ensembles around the state. Among these are the Concerto Medeterra, Normandie, the Argosy Overture, The Spirit Symphony, Wiley Post, and numerous chamber and solo compositions, many of which have been featured in whole or in part on the Internet, Radio, and Television. Clarke is greatly influenced in his composing by the biblical concept of Inspiration, and by the writings of Martin Buber, Stephen Covey, and Robert D. Putnam. Clarke seeks always to connect with his audience through mutually meaningful musical idioms, and considers the interrelation between musician and listener to be the highest goal in Music. This philosophy guides both the content and intent of Clarke’s music and sets him apart from many of his fellow contemporary composers. Clarke believes that the recovery and pursuit of Relational Intent could unleash a global Symphonic Revival and transform the Culture of Music.