the music of stephen shewan
New music now available!
$150.00
Fredonia boasts the first natural gas company in the United States. It was founded by a group of entrepreneurs after William Hart, considered the "father of natural gas" in the U.S. drilled the first natural gas well in America along Canadaway Creek in Fredonia, New York. The first public gas street lamp in America was lit in Baltimore in 1817, however, Fredonia was the site of the first natural-gas well in the U.S. to be harnessed for illumination in 1825.
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"Evening Lights" celebrates the 200th anniversary (1825-2025) of Fredonia's contribution to lighting up America's streets. The piece opens with pointillistic rhythmic patterns depicting illumination of individual lights. The prevailing color of mallets, piano and upper winds portray light through sound.
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Like the street lights, musicians in the New Horizons Band of Western New York continue to shine. Based in Fredonia, their performances bring joy to their families, friends, community members and themselves. "Evening Lights" commemorates twenty years of music making and honors their continued contribution to the culture of Fredonia.
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Commissioned by the Irondequoit Concert Band of Irondequoit, NY, in celebration of their 50th Anniversary