Certain moments truly are just once-in-a-lifetime. Friends of Chamber Music and the Brazos Valley Astronomy Club will host the 2024 solar eclipse project on Monday, April 8 at 1 p.m. in Century Square.
Elena Reece, artistic director with Friends of Chamber Music, says the event is once in a lifetime that cannot be replicated in any way.
“The main attraction to the event is going to be the world premiere of music that was commissioned by [Friends of Chamber Music] to local composer David Wilborn,” she says.
David is an associate professor in the School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts at Texas A&M University and will be accompanied by his brass ensemble, percussion and a keyboard as well as he directs the performance on stage.
Elena says that while the sun will not be covered in totality, the estimate of totality coverage ranges from 98.4 to 98.6%.
“We can’t beat nature, but we can enhance the experience of a solar eclipse,” she says.
During the time of maximum totality, which will roughly be at 1:38 p.m., the project will also feature a livestream NASA is hosting of the solar eclipse that will be 100% coverage totality.
The composition has two parts, the Prelude which will be performed during the time the darkening begins before the estimated five minutes of maximum totality in College Station reaches the highest point. After the darkening begins waning, the second part of the song will follow returning the light back to the city of College Station.
“Our event is literally connecting a rare astronomical event and the world premiere of new composition crafted exactly for this time in history,” Elena says.
The first 200 guests to arrive at Century Square will be provided protective solar eclipse glasses to watch the momentous event take place.
If you would like to attend the free event, please arrive at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 8, as the estimated full time of the event will last from 1:35 to 1:45 p.m.
