Composer Debra Kaye's AND SO IT BEGINS to Play St. Peter's Church

Composer Debra Kay's work And So It Begins for saxophone and string orchestra will be performed at St. Peter's Church, 619 Lexington Ave. in New York at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 1.

And So It Begins is a concerto that was commissioned by the Classical Saxophone Project; Javier Oviedo, tenor saxophone and the Classical Saxophone Orchestra. The theme of the composition is loss and regeneration and it appeared on Ms. Kaye's debut CD of the same name that Ted Gioia included on his list of top 100 CDs and recognized as "an album that will surely stand the test of time."

Ms. Kaye has been hailed as "a unique voice in American music" for her "transcendent, witty, colorful and profound" works blending her deep classical roots with a wide range of influences including jazz, world music, folk, experimental improvisation, world events and sounds of daily life. With a catalogue of close to 40 works, chamber and orchestral music, art songs, a choral and theatrical composition, her work has been honored with multiple ASCAP Plus Awards for her "creative contributions to American music."

Jean-Pierre Schmitt, artistic director for the Classical Saxophone Project, will conduct the concert, the finale in a series of New York performances during 2016-17. Featured performer Oviedo is executive director of the Project. The Project's mission is to highlight the traditional classical saxophone repertoire through live performances and recordings and to commission new music that highlights this instrument. He is acclaimed for his lustrous tone, passionate musicianship and formidable technique.

For tickets ($25) and more information, visit www.debrakayecomposer.com.