New Music Ensemble featured on national radio show

After spending 14 days traveling across 10 states to four national parks, logging 3,741 miles in three minivans, Grand Valley's New Music Ensemble completed their second National Parks performance tour.

Bill Ryan, New Music Ensemble director, was recently interviewed on the national radio program "Performance Today" about the tour.

The interview can be heard in "Hour One" of the August 19 episode on the "Performance Today" website. The episode will also air on most NPR (National Public Radio) stations across the U.S. Check local listings for specific air times.

The tour was made possible through the "Imagine Your Parks" grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Parks Service in celebration of the NPS's 100th anniversary.

Through the grant, the ensemble commissioned eight composers to write original compositions inspired by Yellowstone, Badlands, Grand Teton and Wind Cave national parks. The New Music Ensemble then toured the country June 29-July 12 performing the compositions in each of the parks.

During his interview, Ryan discussed audience reactions to the various performances and details about the custom compositions.