UCO Ambassador in Residence, Kyle Dillingham, joins UCO Symphony Orchestra to premiere original composition.

The University of Central Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra takes a musical voyage with UCO Ambassador in Residence Kyle Dillingham for the premiere performance of the original composition, "Argosy Overture" at 7:30pm, March 10th at the Oak Tree Country Club, 700 W. Country Club Drive, in Edmond.

The event celebrates the one-year anniversary of the UCO Centre for Global Competency, a certification program recognizing students who have studied abroad, studied international subjects or foreign languages and met other requirements headed by Dennis Dunham, UCO executive director of international affairs.

The original piece, "Argosy Overture", composed by Callen Clarke, an Edmond resident and professional musician, depicts the travels of a global explorer. An argosy is a large merchant ship, which Dunham said is used as a metaphor for travelers in the composition.

The composition will begin with a violin solo by Dilllingham. He represents the adventurer, who begins by asking questions - with his music - and providing his own answers.

"Pretty soon, he asks a question and the world answers - that's the orchestra. But it's not what he expected," Dunham said.

"The highlight for me is when he is going to China, the sound of his violin changes into that of an erhu."

An erhu is a Chinese instrument with two strings.

"This music was written for a special purpose and written to tell a story. It is about a transforming experience of a global experience. And you experience that transformation in about 11 minutes," Dillingham said.

Last fall, Dillingham played his violin for audiences in Thailand and Korea when he and Dunham traveled there for UCO.

"Musical diplomacy brings people together and pretty quickly, too. Music is the universal language", Dillingham said.

Another "fitting" selection for the global theme of the concert is an Austrian composition, Haydn's "Farewell Symphony", conducted by Dr. Ralph Morris, director of the UCO symphony orchestra.

"It is interesting that 2009 is the 200th year of Haydn's death, so this is the year to be doing lots of Haydn", said Morris, who earlier studied and played music for eight years in Austria.

The event also will feature the performance of Hanson's Symphony #2 Romantic. Though the 20th century American composer produced some avant-garde pieces, Morris describes it as a romantic, beautiful work.

Tickets are $10 per person or $5 for UCO faculty, staff and students and may be reserved by calling (405) 974-3375. "Argosy Overture" CDs will be available for sale.

For a complete schedule of College of Arts, Media & Design performances and events, visit www.camd.uco.edu/events.