Meet composer and conductor Bill Ryan and Billband for this New Sounds program.  Ryan is the director of the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) new music group, and the mastermind behind 2007’s “story of the year in new music circles” where his all-student, all-volunteer band recorded Steve Reich’s 1976 masterwork, “Music for 18 Musicians,” to choruses of critical praise.  Bill Ryan and the ensemble went on to record Terry Riley’s “In C.”  Ryan is also a composer, and has recently released a record of his own compositions, “Towards Daybreak.”  Members of Billband - violinist/composer Todd Reynolds, and Bang on a Can All-Stars pianist Vicky Chow and cellist Ashley Bathgate- perform Ryan’s works live in the studio.  

Billband performs at Le Poisson Rouge this Sunday night, Feb. 10, 2013.  More information: "Towards Daybreak" record release show.

PROGRAM #3429, with Bill Ryan & Billband  (First aired on 2/8/2013)