As Gustavus Adolphus College host the 58th Nobel Conference, there will be a special reveal of Steve Heitzeg’s “Aequa (Equality Rings, Birds Sing)”: a musical movement specially composed for the Gustavus Carillon.
Today at 12 p.m. the Gustavus students, staff, and guests attending this conference will be able to witness the premiere of “Aequa,” which is Latin for “equal”. As the Nobel Conference centers on mental health inequity and young people, Heitzeg states, “Our commitment to equality must be all-inclusive, and this movement celebrates that through the sonic reverberations of the bells.” Often credited for his inspiration from nature, Heitzeg uses sounds to mimic birds in this movement.
But Heitzeg’s composition doesn’t stop there. “Aequa” is only one movement of four to be released throughout the year. “Birdsongs and Bells” contains three other movements centered around events occurring at Gustavus. With each season comes a new Carillon composition by Steve Heitzeg, “Aequa” representing fall.
Dr. Chad Winterfeldt will perform as Carillonneur this Wednesday, at 12:20 p.m..