Meridian Gallery presents a concert by Blake McGee (clarinet) and Tom Nunn (homemade instruments) performing “Critters and Box on the Rocks,” a new work by Minneapolis-based composer Michael McGee for Bb Clarinet (with processing), T-Rodimba, Skatchbox and Crustacean.

Michael McGee is a Minneapolis-based composer who writes for a wide variety of instrumental ensembles and vocal groups. He studied composition at Manhattan School of Music, Mannes School of Music, and University of California San Diego. His major teachers include William Sydeman, Thomas Pasatieri, Robert Erikson, and Pauline Oliveros. Mr. McGee's music has been performed throughout North America.

Mr. McGee is fluent in many different styles ranging from traditional tonal choral works, to post modern instrumental music, to electronic compositions. His versatility is evident in his collaborations with dancers, multi-media artists, and experimental acoustical instrument builders.

Dr. Blake McGee is a clarinetist in the Portland Oregon area. He is a regular member of the Portland Opera orchestra, the Oregon Mozart Players chamber orchestra, and principal clarinet of the Vancouver Washington Symphony. In addition, he performs regularly with several chamber ensembles in the region, most notably, the Trillium Woodwind Quintet. Dr. McGee teaches woodwinds, music history, jazz band and orchestra at Southwestern Oregon Community College. As strong advocate of new music, he is heavily involved in the commissioning and performance of living composers.

Tom Nunn has designed, built and performed with experimental musical instruments since 1976 and has been an active participant in improvised music performances in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1978. He has also performed in Canada, Europe and New Zealand. He has built over 150 instruments and appears on a number of CDs. He has written a number of published articles on improvisation and experimental instruments and self-published his book, Wisdom of the Impulse: On the Nature of Musical Free Improvisation in 1998.

Mr. Nunn currently performs with the groups RTD3, T.D. Skatchit, Ghost in the House, Reel Change, and Axallto. His most recent invention, the skatchbox, is featured on the new CD, "T.D. Skatchit & Company" (Edgetone Records) with David Michalak and six fellow Bay Area improvisers.

See photos from the concert.