American Accent is a New York City-based performance group dedicated to world-class performances that present the vitality and enormous breadth of American chamber music of the 20th Century and beyond. Their intent is to survey over time the richness and many personalities of America's composers, and to present their music not as an occasional visitor to the concert stage, but in its rightful place, at center stage.

Co-founded and directed by composer Judith Lang Zaimont (professor of composition at the School of Music - University of Minnesota) and pianist Joanne Polk (director of chamber music studies at the Manhattan School of Music), American Accent will concentrate on works of the present moment and recent past, focusing on the elusive second, third or fourth performances of music by distinguished composers who are primarily members of our own national community. The core ensemble - pianist Joanne Polk, flutist Linda Chesis, soprano Maria Jette and the Lark Quartet - are visionary artists connected to the music of their own time, and who perform with artistry, enthusiasm and devotion.

For their premiere season, American Accent will present two concerts at New York's Merkin Hall, on November 15, 2000 and April 9, 2001.

Premiere Concert
Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 8 PM
Merkin Hall at the Abraham Goodman House
129 W. 67th St.

Fantasy Duo for violin and piano	John Harbison
Monody No. 1 for Solo Flute	George Perle
Zones - Piano Trio No. 2	Judith Lang Zaimont
KlŠnge des Waldes and Allegro Rustico         for flute and piano	Sofia Gubaidulina
Bright Music for flute, 2 violins, cello and piano	Ned Rorem

String Quartet No. 1 Penka Kouneva
Tres lent for cello and piano Joan Tower
Le Merle Noir for flute and piano Olivier Messiaen
Platinum Spirals Joan Tower
Patterns #7, #1 and Prelude and Toccata for piano solo Morton Gould
Song Set - "a bouquet of nine" for soprano and piano Amy Beach, Charles Ives, Judith Lang Zaimont

Tickets for this concert are $20. - Seniors/students -$12
For tickets, please call Merkin Hall Box Office at 212-501-3330.
Tickets can be ordered over the Internet at www.culturefinder.com.

For information, call Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-586-3433.
American Accent is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts.

Join American Accent for its two-concert 2001-2002 Second Season,
"Romance - Text and Subtext" and "Acting Out."
Music by Samuel Barber, Shulamit Ran, George Rochberg, Bernard Rands, Augusta Read Thomas; George Antheil, Chen Yi, George Crumb, Jennifer Higdon, William Bolcom and Judith Lang Zaimont.