The Sevdah Commission Project

The Sevdah Commission Project is the joint effort of three Arlington Public School music teachers resulting in a new concerto for oboe and wind band. The concerto will be composed by Carl Holmquist, director of bands at HB Woodlawn, and will be premiered by oboist Katelyn Kyser (music teacher at Tuckahoe Elementary School) and the Yorktown High School Symphonic Band led by Brian Bersh.

2015 marked the 20th anniversary of the end of the Bosnian War. Honoring the musical traditions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the impact of cross-cultural education, this commissioned work is based upon folk tunes from the Bosnian tradition, sevdahlinka, and is written to recognize the events of the Bosnian War as well as to honor the resilience of the people of Sarajevo.

The premiere of this new work will take place on May 25, 2016 at 7pm in the Yorktown High School auditorium in Arlington, VA. This event is open to the public and will feature the Yorktown High School Symphonic Band. This concert will be the culmination of a project that provides APS high school students the opportunity to learn about the events of the Bosnian War and the history of this complicated region through the lens of its rich cultural and musical traditions.

I hope you will consider supporting this project! The funds donated will go directly to pay composer fees, sound recording, marketing and advertising, as well as other associated costs. Thank you!