On Nov. 4, the symphony will be led by guest conductor Joan Tower, who is much better known as one of America's leading composers. Her piano concerto in particular has received widespread performances, including a 1995 airing here by the Anchorage Civic Orchestra with pianist and Tower champion Paul Barnes. Conductor Fleischer, who has worked with Tower, is also a fan. Composers Inc. The event will feature performances of recently minted music from around the Pacific Northwest. Once again, UAA's Arts Building Recital Hall will be the site of several notable performances of everything from guitar to swing band.
Many events feature students and are free.
But some dates should be set aside on account of the caliber of professional musicianship that will be showcased. On Oct. 20, pianist Caio Pagano, a veteran of such august venues as Alice Tully Hall in New York, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, will give a solo recital there. UAA music professor Timothy Smith, who brought down the house when he played ''Totentanz'' with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra last year, also will give a solo recital in February. Two world-famed pianists also will perform in Anchorage this season. On Oct. 27, Cliburn gold medalist Jon Nakamatsu, who played a fine recital here in 1997, will return with the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet.