Loop38 presents Longleaf: a brand-new, concert-length work composed by Dr. Ben Morris, assistant professor of composition at Stephen F. Austin State University. Longleaf traces the history of the longleaf pine tree and the timber industry in East Texas with video projections, historical photographs, natural soundscapes and music, with the goal of raising awareness about the ecological importance of native forests and their reliance on prescribed fire.

Morris' piece reflects on the relationships between people and their environments, highlighting the fascinating fire-adapted tree that relies on frequent burns, both natural and manmade. Longleaf explores the unique landscape through the visuals, recorded audio, and live interactions of the musicians, and even features footage from Morris' own experience at a controlled burn at the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary, which is a remaining stand of longleaf pine maintained by the Nature Conservancy.

To bring even more insight about this Texan tree to our local community, longleaf expert and Nature Conservancy preserve manager Shawn Benedict will be present alongside Dr. Ben Morris for a Q&A session after the performance. As the manager of Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary, Benedict has years of experience and insight to share.

Loop38 is excited to return to M.A.T.C.H. and feature this piece as the finale to our 2023-2024 Season!

Learn More:

Dr. Ben Morris

Composer

The Nature Conservancy

Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. This work is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. Additional funding was provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts.