Arizona Pro Arte names an Irish Composer in Residence, Christopher Norby

PHOENIX - May 8, 2013 - PRLog -- With the echo of its season finale still ringing, Arizona Pro Arte is using the momentum of its inaugural season to name a new Composer in Residence for 2013­­–14. Artistic Director and Conductor Timothy Verville has announced that Northern Ireland’s Christopher Norby will be APA’s Composer in Residence next year, the second artist to occupy that post with this Valley orchestra.vNorby’s appointment follows APA’s successful collaboration with its first Composer in Residence, Andrew Paul Jackson of Boston, MA.

Christopher Norby, a native of Derry, Northern Ireland, received his Ph.D. in composition from the University of Ulster. Since 2007 he has been a professional, freelance composer specializing in classical concert music and theater and dance collaborations, creating works that have been performed throughout the U.K., Ireland, in Eastern Europe and Japan. Organizations and ensembles that have commissioned works from Norby include the BBC Radio 3 Ulster Orchestra, Northern Ireland Opera, Concorde, Echo Echo Dance Theatre and the Verbal Arts Centre. Two Irish ensembles, RTE Vanbrugh Quartet and the Brodsky Quartet, will strengthen Norby’s international presence this year with CD releases, and U.K., Irish and international tours. A strong believer in the value of versatility in music and musicians, Norby garners additional attention outside the concert hall with his compositions for video games and apps.

It is his versatility that makes Norby a perfect fit for Arizona Pro Arte, says Verville, whose artistic leadership of APA created a season of genre-bending performances praised by local media for their inventiveness and innovation. “We are not a traditional orchestra,” says Verville, “and we couldn’t name a traditional composer to this residency. Christopher’s gift for crafting unforgettable music, regardless of the platform it’s delivered from, is exactly what we were looking for. Arizona Pro Arte is eager to bring Christopher’s sound, already familiar overseas, to audiences in the Valley. We know they will be as delighted and enchanted as we are.”

“I am excited to have been named composer in residence for the AZ Pro Arte ensemble,” stated Norby. “I look forward to working with the group and to presenting my music to Arizona audiences for the first time.”

Norby’s works will not only be a new treat for Valley audiences; they will be heard in Arizona Pro Arte’s new performance home, the Tempe Center for the Arts. TCA is also the venue for APA’s summer concert series, Cool Classics, with performances on June 15, July 20 and August 24 at 7:30 p.m. in TCA’s studio theater.

Information about Arizona Pro Arte is available at arizonaproarte.com, where tickets will be on sale for APA’s summer concert series. Information about Composer in Residence Christopher Norby is available at christophernorby.com.