Linda Nemec Foster, Grand Rapids first poet laureate, and acclaimed jazz musician Steve Talaga have combined their talents in a unique collaboration resulting in “Contemplating the Heavens.” Talaga, who performs with the jazz groups Mind’s Eye and Evidence, composed an original score for nine musicians that reflect a wide range of musical styles: jazz, classical, blues, contemporary and third stream.

The world premiere of the musical composition inspired by Foster’s chapbook of the same name (Ridgeway Press 2001) will be presented on Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m. in Kretschmer Recital Hall of the Aquinas College Art and Music Center. Tickets will be on sale at the door for $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Both the score and the CD have recently been nominated for this year’s Pulitzer Prize in Music.

Foster will be on hand to read her poems at the concert. Both the chapbook and the CD, with cover artwork by Aquinas College art professor Stephen Schousen, will be available for purchase at the concert.

Talaga is an adjunct assistant professor of music at Aquinas College and Foster is a 1972 alumna of Aquinas. For more information on the chapbook or CD, contact the Aquinas Music Department or visit the following Web sites: lindanemecfoster.com