After teaching students the importance of proper technique and practising, members of UPEI’s music faculty are turning their attention to their own work.
The instructors are preparing A Musical Feast at the Steel Recital Hall on Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
“The recital is nutrition for the mind and soul,” says music professor Karem J. Simon.
Like a community dinner, each faculty member has prepared a favourite piece or two to share with students, colleagues and the community during the annual faculty recital.
“The program will end up being a bit of a smorgasbord. You’ll get to taste a lot of different musical items,” says UPEI professor Frances Gray who will open the concert with Bach Partita IV in D Major on piano.
“For me, this would be the (musical) food that I would take into a bomb shelter or a desert island. That’s because I never get tired of it. I find it very nourishing,” she says. “The work has got everything from soulful, slow movements and arias and minuets and a very impressive overture.”
In addition, Gray will play with Simon (clarinet) in Sonata in A, by Brahms.
“I’m looking forward to getting the opportunity to perform and hearing my colleagues perform as well,” Simon says.
Gray says she’s looking forward to collaborating with him on the Braham’s work, which she describes as “another feast.”
“This is a wonderful, rich bourguignon, so full and satisfying,” says Gray who will also play Silhouette by John Harmon collaboratively with Gregory B. Irvine (tuba).
At the end of every gourmet meal, there’s always dessert.And for this occasion, mezzo-soprano Pam Campbell will provide it.
“Our new sessional instructor in voice is going to be singing some Cole Porter songs.
“One of the pieces she’s doing, The Physician, is like a creamy, delightful dessert. The song is about the visit by a lady to her family physician. It’s sure to appeal to the musical palate,” says Simon.
In addition, the evening will feature some tasty entrees by Jim Dickson on guitar, Andrew Zink, piano, and Kevin MacLean, saxophone.
Besides being a feast, the concert is an important learning experience for students, says MacLean, a sessional instructor.
“It’s important that students know why we are their teachers. It’s important that they get to see what can be accomplished through the work we make them do.
“I also think it’s good for them to sit back and watch their teachers perform so they can learn from professional performers and see what the final product (of a work) could possibly be,” says MacLean (saxophone) who will play Brilliance by Ida Gotkovsky collaboratively with Frances McBurnie.
As Simon confirms the final details of the overall program, he’s enthusiastic about everything that he and his colleagues are going to offer the audience.
For example, he will perform in Cadenzas Movements 1 and 4 by Alexina Louie in collaboration with Krista Carruthers, percussion.
“I’m very excited about this concert. There will be a variety of music that, for both the informed listener of classical music and the casual listener, provides a richness that satisfies one’s palate,” he says.
