St. Andrews Bach Society

Composer Tony Zilincik earned degrees from Central Michigan University and Bowling Green (OH) State University.  He is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio where he teaches theory, ear training, composition, and applied tuba.  He directs the Capital University Brass Choir and Capital Thunder, the university tuba and euphonium ensemble.  He is the area head for composition and instrumental music performance.  

 He is the principal tubist with the Central Ohio Symphony, the Cathedral Brass ensemble, and the Capital Brass Quintet.  He performs frequently with the Ceremony Brass Quintet and is sought after as a band and low brass clinician in the midwest.  His compositions have been performed in the United States and abroad, with many of his compositions published by Cimarron Music.  His work, “By Your Name” was recently broadcast by WOSU FM as part of their “Music in Mid-Ohio” series.  Excerpts of his music can be heard at www.myspace.com/tonyzilincik .  Zilincik resides in Bexley, Ohio with his wife Paige, and their children, Sophia and Rachael.

“Circle of Magic and Dancing” was commissioned by oboist Dr. Lindabeth Binkley and the St. Andrew's Bach Society of Tucson, Arizona.  It is written and dedicated to Dr. Binkley and Kimberly Toscano, principal timpanist with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.  

In many cultures, music is associated with dance and the supernatural.  Quite often, the dancing in these cultures takes place in a circle as the dancers wind themselves into a frenzy which sometimes leads to trance and possibly spiritual possession.  Undoubtedly, there is great power at work, and in this piece, I have tried to capture the essence of this power through alternating dance sections and quieter, more meditative sections.  The stark contrast between the highly rhythmic dances and the improvisatory meditations emulates the contrast between the earthly world and the spirit world.