Ivan Wyschnegradsky was a visionary Russian composer who spent his adult life in Paris, having graduated from law school in 1917, a day before the Russian Revolution. The year before, he had a vision: “I saw the great light in full-day,” and hence dedicated his life to “awakening in every man the slumbering forces of cosmic consciousness” with his music. Another such experience was his “ultrachromatic revelation” that the notes of music were on a continuum and that the received 12 half steps of equal temperament were only isolated locations on an infinite spectrum. He soon moved to Paris in 1920 and began composing in thirds, sixths, eighths, twelfths of a tone, and famously composing Music for Four Quarter-Tone Pianos, which will be performed at the Wende Museum.

Grammy-nominated pianist Vicki Ray, Stephen VanHauwaert, and the piano duo Hocket (composer-performers Sarah Gibson & Thomas Kotcheff) recap their 2019 stellar performances of these works at San Francisco’s Other Minds Festival, led by nationally recognized new music conductor Donald Crockett.

About MicroFest
Now in its third decade of celebrating the beauty that lies “between the keys” of the piano, MicroFest is the world’s leading concert series devoted to the glorious universe of non-standard tunings. Founded by microtonal guitarist and radio personality John Schneider in 1997, MicroFest has grown to a festival of multiple performances at Southern California venues ranging from the Claremont Colleges to Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. MicroFest has included ground-breaking concerts and premieres of works by Ben Johnston, Lou Harrison, Terry Riley, and Harry Partch with new and historical instruments. MicroFest is co-directed by Schneider and composer Bill Alves.

Music at the Wende is a free concert series in which esteemed musical organizations present programs inspired by the Wende’s collection and mission.

All concerts are free. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are preceded by a museum tour and reception at 6 p.m.

The Wende Museum is excited to host the first of our forthcoming monthly USCF/FIDE-rated OTB Chess Tournaments in partnership with the International Children Education Association. Pre-registration for the tournament is highly encouraged and can be made on the ICEA website here.

For those interested in more casual play, game boards will be made available throughout the Wende Garden. Chess players of all ability levels, from beginners to masters, are welcomed to attend.

8:30 AM | Main Commencement Ceremony at Alumni Memorial Park
11:00 AM | USC Kaufman Graduate Reception at Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center Courtyard (for graduates and invited guests)
2:00 PM | USC Kaufman Satellite Ceremony at Founders Park

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance Class of 2023 will graduate on Friday, May 12. Founded in 2012, USC Kaufman is one of six art schools at the University of Southern California and, at the time of its founding, was the university’s first new school in nearly 40 years. Learn more about USC Kaufman’s commencement speaker, Brenda Dixon-Gottschild.

No tickets required for the main commencement ceremony or satellite ceremony. Seating is first come, first served. Parking is extremely limited. Due to large crowds, USC parking structures will likely fill up prior to the main commencement ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Ride-share services strongly encouraged.

Please visit commencement.usc.edu for information about the main commencement ceremony. Questions about the Main Ceremony can be directed to acevents@usc.edu. Questions about the USC Kaufman Reception or Satellite Ceremony can be directed to dance.grad@usc.edu.

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact Jessica Mahon at 213-740-9327 or dance.grad@usc.edu. It is requested that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least seven days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.

National History Day’s inquiry-based student centered program brings project based learning to the History-Social Studies classroom. Adaptable to all educational settings, History Day supports critical thinking with authentic research and historical inquiry skills. At its core, History Day is about student choice and voice. Students choose their research topic, they drive their research, and they choose their project format.