Flutes, violins, percussion and accordions are some of the instruments that will be in tune and in your ear at a series of free concerts celebrating 30 seasons of Sacramento State’s Festival of New American Music.

The festival, which runs from Thursday until Nov. 11, will feature concerts in Capistrano’s recital hall and a keynote speech from accordionist and composer Pauline Oliveros.

Oliveros, a New York-based artist, will lead the opening night’s Gala Performance, accompanied by pianist Sarah Cahill and Nancy Zeltsman on the marimba.

New American music is considered modern classical music from the last 20 years with a focus on American music of the last five to 10 years.

Stephen Blumberg, Sac State associate professor of composition and theory, has been involved in the festival for nearly 10 years and is now artistic director.

“We hope as many people come out because the concerts are free,” Blumberg said. “We’ve always had pretty good crowds and there’s definitely a lot of people who come out from the community.”

Blumberg said musicians will hold lectures and workshops during the day and each night a soloist will perform.

“There (is) also a number of women artists this year who will be opening the events,” Blumberg said.

Blumberg said faculty and student ensembles will also be showcasing contemporary music.

Sac State student ensembles, including Percussion Group, Jazz Ensemble and C-Sus, will represent the music department.

On the last day of festival, the Sac State Jazz Ensemble will perform with Scott Whitfield, an acclaimed jazz trombonist, composer and producer.

“There (are) really a lot of different kinds of music included in the festival, so people can come out and enjoy a diverse mix of some jazz and some rock,” Blumberg said.

He said the festival focuses on music that is new and American, with some artists debuting never-before played music at the festival.

“It’s a great event for the university and community and people should come out to see world-class artists perform,” Blumberg said.

Ben Prima, a Sac State student who is a member of the newly formed group “Citywater,” will play percussion in the group’s first concert at the festival on Sunday.

“We will be debuting a brand new piece called ‘If Only Mirrors,'” he said.

Prima, senior music major, will also play with Oliveros on Friday in a concert titled “The Music of Pauline Oliveros.”

He said the piece he will play is open instrumentation and there will be interaction with a live computer program set up to randomly cue pieces for the artists to play.

He said he is looking forward to playing with renowned accordionist and composer Oliveros and is honored to share the stage with her.

“It’s always a great opportunity to work directly with the composer, especially in a live event,” Prima said.

He said new American music is difficult to define, but it’s definitely worth listening to.

“It’s the cutting edge of music and what modern music is and is becoming,” Prima said. “Still the style is always evolving.”

Daniel Webster, senior music theory and composition major, said he’s looking forward to this season’s festival.

Webster said he hopes students will come and see some live music and learn more about new American music at the festival.

“It’s kind of like everyone goes to the football games and sports events, so people should think of music and come out to see a concert,” he said.

He said students should realize Sac State has a strong music department and students are making their own original music right here on campus.

“There are people studying to create music like Beethoven and Mozart,” Webster said. “Basically, it’s all about the idea that we are actually creating compositions, the idea that we are really creating music.”

David Paterson, junior music major, will be competing in the festival’s Student Artists Performance Competition on Nov. 7.

The competition gives Sac State students the chance to perform their compositions in front of a live audience while being judged by three guest judges.

Paterson, who is involved in writing a string quartet that will premiere at the competition, said the winner of the competition goes home with $250 and “bragging rights.”

“It’s a really exciting kind of event with lots of live music. It’s kind of like a fair. There’s so much to see each day,” Paterson said. “I don’t know many other events like this festival in the area. And it will be cool to check out what’s been going on in music besides pop music from Britney Spears.”

Lana Saipaia can be reached at [email protected]