Throughout the past century, American composers have been raising the standard of music.

In their mission to improve music quality, they have helped to create a new American culture.

“We used to get all of our music from Europe,” said Alvin Singleton, one of America’s leading composers. “Now America has some of the best music training in the world.”

Training from American universities such as New York University and Yale University gave Singleton the skills he needed to become one of the best composers of his day.

During his 30-year career, Singleton has been commissioned to write music for some of the most prestigious orchestras in the United States and Europe, such as the Atlanta Symphony and the Detroit Symphony.

Iowa State Symphony conductor Kirk Smith invited Singleton to perform as part of the ISU music department’s Lipa Festival Residency this week.

“I know Kirk very well,” Singleton said. “He’s conducted many of my pieces.”

Beginning tonight at 5:10 p.m., the Iowa State Symphony Orchestra will be performing the orchestral work by Singleton, “56 Blows.”

According to Singleton, “56 Blows” is a meditation on the theme of the Rodney King beating.

While many listeners tend to think certain parts of the percussive piece symbolize specific occurrences in the King beating, Singleton said the piece is not programmatic.

“It’s purely a work of art,” Singleton said.

Singleton, a composer known for music that frequently embraces social themes, said he wrote the piece because the King beating gives an ideal example of the abuse of power.

“It could have happened to anyone,” Singleton said. “We have to always be vigilant. We can’t ignore what’s going on.”

Before tonight’s concert, Singleton will give a public lecture titled “The Artist as the Voice of Social Conscience,” at 12:10 p.m. in the Music Hall Recital Hall. During this lecture he will address this topic and how it relates to “56 Blows.”

The concert will also include music from other living composers, including Linda Coleman of Des Moines.

Coleman’s piece, “Hibernia Suite,” was originally premiered by the Wartburg Community Symphony last February.

Since then, Coleman said she has refined parts of the suite that weren’t finished to her satisfaction because of “deadlines.”

“I rewrote the third movement,” Coleman said. “I had time to finish it.”

“Hibernia Suite,” a melodic piece with an Irish flavor, was originally written by Coleman to reflect her Irish heritage.

“I had previously written lots of stuff for Greek tragedies and other Mediterranean works,” Coleman said.

Although it took her around 500 hours to complete the entire piece, Coleman said every minute was worth it.

“It’s not easy but, oh boy, is it satisfying,” Coleman said.

In addition to tonight’s concert of contemporary music, ISU faculty and students will present “A Celebration of 20th Century Chamber Music” Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Hall Recital Hall.

Friday night’s concert will feature Singleton’s piece “La Flora,” among other selections by ISU faculty and student composers.

All events are free admission.