Ohio State Faculty and Guest Series: "Tower Duo: Music in Motion"

“Music in Motion” is a multimedia experience with electronic sounds, video and live improvisation that features music creatively exploring the idea of motion in music physically, metaphorically, philosophically, historically, politically, programmatically and more. The program will include works by living composers Chris Lamb (Baltimore, Maryland), Laura Harrison (Cincinnati, Ohio), Linda Kernohan (Lansing, Michigan), Will Redman (Baltimore, Maryland), Michael Rene Torres (Columbus, OH), Christopher Weait (Columbus), Evan Williams (Boston, Massachusetts), and Tony Zilincik (Columbus).
Based in Columbus, Ohio, the contemporary music flute and saxophone duet, Tower Duo (Erin Helgeson Torres and Michael Rene Torres) has been performing together since 2007 and focuses on the music of living composers. Tower Duo's performances are innovative and narrative-driven, often exploring improvisation, multi-media, and collaboration with other arts. The Duo has since performed all across the United States at schools, conferences, arts venues and festivals, including artist residencies at more than thirty universities. Highlights include the Omaha Chamber Music Society’s Eko Nova series; the Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project’s Re:Sound New Music Festival; NUNC5; the Brevard Music Center Festival and Institute; Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp; the Society of Composers, Inc. conferences; North American Saxophone Alliance conferences, and the National Flute Association Convention as well as guest artist appearances during the contemporary music festivals of various universities.
Tower Duo recently recorded their debut album, Crosswind, which features the Duo’s favorite collaborations with composers from the first decade of their artistic work. Crosswind was released by Ravello Records under the PARMA Recordings label in January 2019. In April 2024, Tower Duo is set to premiere “Mountains upon Mountains Like Waves Upon Waves” for Flute, Saxophone, and Orchestra by award-winning composer, Evan Williams, as soloists with the Lima Symphony Orchestra.