Wouldn’t it be nice if professors had to take finals too, so they were reminded of the work it requires? For some professors at the U, this is almost a reality. Throughout the semester, College of Music professors showcase their talents at free concerts held on Sunday evenings, starting at 7 p.m. in the Libby Gardner Concert Hall. Whether or not you are the kind of person who likes classical music, I recommend going. Music can be an excellent way to clear the mind and relieve stress.
The most recent faculty showcase concert was the second of the semester and featured french horn, piano, cello, violin, viola, bass, drums and trumpet spread across three sections. The first section was performed by adjunct professors Gerald Elias (violin), Roberta Zalkind (viola) and John Eckstein (cello). Even for a non-music major, these professors displayed obvious talent and skill with their respective instruments. The melodies wove together seamlessly as they worked through Ludwig van Beethoven’s “String Trio in C Minor Op. 9 No. 3.” Following this performance, adjunct professor Stephen Proser (french horn) and visiting assistant professor Stephanie Neeman (piano) played “Élégie for Horn and Piano,” composed by Francis Poulenc. While not my favorite piece with its repeated loud, forceful notes from both the horn and the piano, I found I could still appreciate this more unique combination of instruments.
At the conclusion of Proser and Neeman’s piece, a larger group assembled on the stage with two guests (one on drums, one on trumpet) accompanying adjunct assistant professor Dan Waldis (jazz piano) and assistant professor Denson Angulo (jazz bass). Filled with upbeat rhythms and powerful note combinations, their first piece, “A Lament for Young Colored Souls,” composed by Kris Johnson, was moving and engaging. This group produced masterful jazz music, filling Libby Gardner Hall with sound in ways the smaller and more classically sounding pieces had not. The final piece of the evening also belonged to the jazz ensemble titled My Apologies, a perfect ending to an educational and entertaining hour of music, with the concert ending almost exactly at 8 p.m.
Clearly the U is lucky to have such talented music professors. These free concerts are a great opportunity for students to appreciate the music produced by these highly trained individuals.
The next faculty performance is scheduled for Oct. 11 and will feature Beethoven solo piano sonatas, performed by Vedrana Subotic.