Laurie San Martin receives commission from Barlow Endowment for Music Composition
Professor Laurie San Martin, music department chair, has received a commission from the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University. Martin鈥檚 commission will be for Ensemble Ari, a group of Korean American musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Out of more than 200 applicants, San Martin鈥檚 commission was among those given to 13 composers who will write works for the specific ensembles and musicians.
The Barlow Endowment for Music Composition is a scholarship established in September 1983 through the generosity of Milton A. and Gloria Barlow. Motivated by their love of music, the Barlows presented a substantial gift to , engendering and supporting excellence in musical composition through the university and the .
Ensemble Ari is renowned throughout the Bay Area as Korean American musicians who have won acclaim for their performances. 鈥淎ri鈥 is a Korean word with multiple meanings: big river, wisdom and beauty which reflects the range of music that these musicians are able to showcase in their work. This classical ensemble uses music to bridge Korea and other communities through western instruments while honoring Korean history and culture, particularly with work composed or arranged by their director, composer Jean Ahn. (Original story is )
By Michael G. French, College of Letters and Science
Alum McKinna Salinas 鈥 A Trader Joe鈥檚 master sign maker
Did you know that Trader Joe鈥檚 idiosyncratic signs are custom-made by local artists? It鈥檚 true 鈥
This Washington Post鈥檚 takes a look at some of these creative staff artists, including art studio alum McKinna Salinas (B.A., 鈥18). Salinas, now living and painting for the Philadelphia area Trader Joe鈥檚, creates signage inspired by works in the Philadelphia Museum of Art鈥檚 collection such as Winslow Homer鈥檚 鈥淭he Life Line鈥 with a man saving a carrot instead of a drowning woman. View more of Salinas鈥 food paintings and signs
Next time you visit Trader Joe鈥檚 for more Cauliflower Gnocchi or Mint Joe Joe鈥檚, take a little time to appreciate the handmade signage from local artists.