MeloMania! was formed in 1997, and had its first concert at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston in February, 1998. MeloMania! is dedicated to music of the post-1945 era, and to the creation of new works by living composers.

The aim of MeloMania! is to present outstanding performances of first-rate works--the members of MeloMania! have an uncompromising commitment to the highest artistic standards and integrity. The ensemble performs existing works written for any possible combination of its instruments, and commissions new pieces written for 1-5 of the group's members.

The members of MeloMania! are: Amy Dissanayake, piano; Mark Engebretson, saxophone; Susan Fancher, saxophone; Michael Overman, percussion; Richard Yeo, cello. MeloMania! has sought the support of an Advisory Board, whose members fill various roles in connection with the ensemble. Members of the Advisory Board are Anne Cole, Cliff Colnot, Ursula Oppens, Gordon Stout and Jay Alan Yim.

At its first concert, MeloMania! presented its first world premiere, "543BP(M)" by Jeffrey Kowalkowski. In the coming season, the group will present a work commissioned by the Chicago Chapter of the American Composers Forum, in conjunction with Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. The work will be written by Keith Carpenter and presented this February at Benedictine. Other concerts this season include the September 10 event at the Chicago Cultural Center and the September 13 event at HotHouse (see listing).

(To avoid charges of favoritism, let me say that the selection of composer Keith Carpenter, Coordinator of the Chicago Chapter of the American Composers Forum, was made independently of the Composers Forum and its selection process. The selection was made by MeloMania! after the awarding of project funding by the ACF).

Biographies of individual members of the group are too lengthy to give in detail here, but here are some highlights:

Amy Briggs DISSANAYAKE performed on a highly acclaimed concert tour as United States Artistic Ambassador (sponsored by the U.S. Information Agency), 1993, a tour which included performances in eight countries in Africa and South Asia.

She has appeared as soloist with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Northwes-tern University Chamber Orchestra, Northwestern University Summer Orchestra, Lincolnwood Chamber Orchestra, Lakeshore Symphony and Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka.

Mark ENGEBRETSON is a composer/performer with numerous commissions from the Austrian Ministry of Culture and performances of his works at festivals such as Wien Modern, Hoergaenge, Ny Musikk (Bergen, Norway), Gaida Festival (Lithuania), ISCM/Austrian Music Days (Tirana, Albania) and the Indiana State University New Music Festival (Terre Haute, IN). As a saxophonist, he is member of the Vienna Saxophone Quartet and has appeared as soloist with the Czech National Orcestra of Brno.

Susan FANCHER has performed all over the world as member of the Vienna Saxophone Quartet and earlier with Sweden's Rollin' Phones. She has recorded for the Phillips label, collaborated with composer Steve Reich in arranging "New York Counterpoint" for saxophones and is on the faculty of Northwestern University.

Michael OVERMAN studied with renowned teachers Gordon Stout and Michael Burritt, and has established a commitment to commissioning new works for solo percussion. An accomplished virtuoso, his repertoire includes pieces by composers like Iannis Xenakis and Joseph Schwantner.

Richard YEO is one of the most sought-after freelance cellists in the Chicago area, having performed with the Grant Park Symphony, Symphony of the Shores, Chicago String Ensemble, Storioni Ensemble, Lake Forest Symphony and the Ad Hoc String Quartet. He is also a member of the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra (in Door County) since 1993.

MeloMania! is currently sifting through an enormous stack of scores and tapes which was sent in following a call for scores posted in the ACF newsletter, and posted on web-sites, apparently all over the world.

Mark Engebretson