Conservatory Celebrates Standout Students for 2024</h1> <article> <h1>Conservatory Celebrates Standout Students for 2024</h1> <p>eburnett — Mon, 13 May 2024 20:02:44 +0000</p> <span>Conservatory Celebrates Standout Students for 2024</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-05-13T16:02:44-04:00" title="Monday, May 13, 2024 - 16:02">Mon, 05/13/2024 - 16:02</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Each spring, 91ֱ�� Conservatory’s faculty and administration celebrate students whose academic and artistic work is especially meritorious. They are selected by committees and competition juries for exemplary musicianship and academic and personal achievement. Awards generated by numerous endowed funds are dedicated to acknowledging these musicians’ demonstrated excellence, supporting their ongoing study and creative projects, and even assisting with instrument purchases.</p> <p>This year’s honorees were celebrated at a May 13 reception in Stull Recital Hall (<a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBqtKj">see photos</a> of the event on Flickr). They are listed below in alphabetical order by last name:</p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano: Finalist</strong><br> Awarded to piano majors by the piano faculty for excellence in performing works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>Nio L. Ajero</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Louis and Annette Kaufman Music Achievement Award in Violin</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding student of violin<br> <em><strong>Max W. Ball</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Theodore Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding returning student for excellence in musicianship<br> <em><strong>Max W. Ball</strong></em></p> <p><strong>James H. Hall Prize in Musicology</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior for excellence in work in musicology<br> <em><strong>Eliza R. Balmuth</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Delores and Donald White Prize</strong><br> Awarded to conservatory students who demonstrate leadership in elevating 91ֱ�� Conservatory’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals through music performance<br> <em><strong>Joshua A. Barron</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Walter E. Aschaffenburg Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding music composition<br> <em><strong>Jake L. Berran</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Flint Initiative Grant</strong><br> Awarded to innovative, motivated, and prepared conservatory and double-degree students to develop imaginative artistic projects<br> <em><strong>Holly Bogle </strong></em></p> <p><strong>Faustina Hurlbutt Prize</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding graduating student in cello, piano, violin, or voice<br> <strong><em>JJ Jun Li Bui</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano: Finalist</strong><br> Awarded to piano majors by the piano faculty for excellence in performing works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>James Chen</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Arthur Dann Senior Piano Competition</strong><br> Awarded to the winner of this juried competition for excellence in piano performance<br> <em><strong>Yihang Chen</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Senior Concerto Competition</strong><br> Awarded in a juried competition each fall. Four winners are featured as soloists in performances of complete concertos with 91ֱ�� orchestras during the spring semester<br> <em><strong>Drew Dansby</strong></em>, cello</p> <p><strong>Senior Concerto Competition</strong><br> Awarded in a juried competition each fall. Four winners are featured as soloists in performances of complete concertos with 91ֱ�� orchestras during the spring semester<br> <em><strong>Juan Pedro Espinosa Monteros</strong></em>, clarinet</p> <p><strong>Margot Bos Stambler ’84 Professional Development Award</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding voice major of great promise<br> <em><strong>Elizabeth N. Hanje</strong></em></p> <p><strong>James H. Hall Prize in Musicology</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior for excellence in work in musicology<br> <em><strong>Sam C. Hart</strong></em></p> <p><strong>TIMARA Founders Fund John Clough Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a TIMARA major for distinctive work within the department<br> <em><strong>Ben P. Hochster</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Carol Nott Piano Pedagogy Prize</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding graduating senior for continued study in piano pedagogy<br> <em><strong>Soyoung Jeong</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Delores and Donald White Prize</strong><br> Awarded to conservatory students who demonstrate leadership in elevating 91ֱ�� Conservatory’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging goals through music performance<br> <em><strong>Daniela Jimenez Ochoa</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Senior Concerto Competition</strong><br> Awarded in a juried competition each fall. Four winners are featured as soloists in performances of complete concertos with 91ֱ�� orchestras during the spring semester<br> <em><strong>Maya Irizarry Lambright</strong></em>, violin</p> <p><strong>John Elvin Piano Prize</strong><br> Awarded to the student judged by the piano department to be the most talented in the junior class<br> <em><strong>Yu-Wei Lee</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano Third Place: Howard Karp ’51 Prize</strong><br> Awarded to the third-place finisher of this juried competition for excellence in performance of works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>Leo Lu</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano First Place: Peter Takács Prize</strong><br> Awarded to the winner of this juried competition for excellence in performance of works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>Iskandar O. Mamadaliev</strong></em></p> <p><strong>TIMARA Founders Fund Olly Wilson Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a TIMARA major for distinctive work within the department<br> <em><strong>Maya T. McCollum</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Watson Fellowship</strong><br> Awarded by the Thomas J. Watson Foundation to graduating seniors for purposeful, independent exploration outside the United States<br> <strong><em>Maya T. McCollum</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Agnes Fowler Collegiate Scholarship</strong><br> Awarded to a junior majoring in music and strong in instrumental or vocal performance<br> <em><strong>Ian N. McEdwards</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Ruth Cogan Memorial Scholarship in Vocal Performance</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding voice major who has dedicated significant time to the Otto B. Schoepfle Vocal Arts Center<br> <em><strong>Isabel Merat</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Pi Kappa Lambda Prize for Musicianship</strong><br> Awarded to students judged to be the most outstanding of those elected to Pi Kappa Lambda<br> <em><strong>Immanuel B. Mykyta-Chomsky</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Piano Faculty Prize in Accompanying</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in accompanying singers and instrumentalists<br> <em><strong>Immanuel B. Mykyta-Chomsky</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Ernest Hatch Wilkins Memorial Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a returning student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the three preceding years<br> <em><strong>Khai Nien K. Nguyen</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Flint Initiative Grant </strong><br> Awarded to innovative, motivated, and prepared conservatory and double-degree students to develop imaginative artistic projects<br> <em><strong>Sangeetha Ramanuj</strong></em></p> <p><strong>David S. Boe-C. B. Fisk Prize for Excellence in Organ Performance</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding organ student<br> <em><strong>William F. Rehwinkel</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Earl L. Russell Award in Historical Performance</strong><br> Awarded to a student majoring in Historical Performance to assist with the purchase of a musical instrument<br> <em><strong>William F. Rehwinkel</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Margot Bos Stambler ’84 Professional Development Award</strong><br> Awarded to an outstanding voice major of great promise<br> <em><strong>Alan F. Rendzak</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Pi Kappa Lambda Prize for Musicianship</strong><br> Awarded to students judged to be the most outstanding of those elected to Pi Kappa Lambda<br> <em><strong>Alan F. Rendzak</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Wendell and Bettye Logan Prize in Jazz Studies</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in performance or composition<br> <em><strong>Coleman Rose</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Selby Harlan Houston Prize</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating senior whose performance in organ and music theory is of distinguished quality<br> <em><strong>Mark U. Slatter</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Rudolph Serkin Scholarship</strong><br> Awarded to a student demonstrating excellence in piano performance<br> <em><strong>Chau Minh Tran</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Flint Initiative Grant </strong><br> Awarded to innovative, motivated, and prepared conservatory and double-degree students to develop imaginative artistic projects<br> <em><strong>Sebastien Tsai</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Louis and Marguerite Bloomberg Greenwood Prize in Voice</strong><br> Awarded to a graduating student excelling in cello, piano, violin, or voice<br> <em><strong>Jordan L. Twadell</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Senior Concerto Competition</strong><br> Awarded in a juried competition each fall. Four winners are featured as soloists in performances of complete concertos with 91ֱ�� orchestras during the spring semester<br> <em><strong>Jiongli Wang</strong></em>, piano</p> <p><strong>Beethoven Prize in Piano Second Place: Leon Fleisher Prize</strong><br> Awarded to the second-place finisher of this juried competition for excellence in performance of works by Beethoven<br> <em><strong>Fiona Wu</strong></em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Annual reception held May 13 in Stull Recital Hall.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-05-13T12:00:00Z">Mon, 05/13/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=39981">Piano and Vocal Accompanying</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=42726">Piano Pedagogy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=35116">Violin</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=35596">Voice</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=33331">Composition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=33031">TIMARA</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=32966">Organ</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=35261">Cello</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/vocal-studies" hreflang="und">Vocal Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/strings" hreflang="und">Strings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/musicology" hreflang="und">Musicology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/music-theory" hreflang="und">Music Theory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/historical-performance" hreflang="und">Historical Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/winds-brass-and-percussion" hreflang="und">Winds, Brass, and Percussion</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Elizabeth Hanje (middle), a fourth-year soprano from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, won the Margot Bos Stambler ’84 Professional Development Award. She is pictured with Dean of the Conservatory Bill Quillen and Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs Leah Brockman.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yevhen Gulenko</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Peter Takács—A Half-Century Celebrated</h1> <p>cstrauss — Sun, 05 May 2024 04:01:47 +0000</p> <span>Peter Takács—A Half-Century Celebrated</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-05-05T00:01:47-04:00" title="Sunday, May 5, 2024 - 00:01">Sun, 05/05/2024 - 00:01</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="https://www.petertakacspianist.com/">Peter Takács</a> may be retiring from 91ֱ��, but that doesn’t mean he’ll stop coming to campus anytime soon.</p> <p>“They can’t get rid of me quite so easily,” the piano professor says, with a knowing smile. After all, he and his wife live in town, and there are still performances and recording sessions to look forward to.</p> <p>Still, this spring marks the official conclusion of Takács’ tenure, after an incredible 48 years of teaching. Many of his former students from around the world are set to convene— either live or via video—for a <a href="https://calendar.oberlin.edu/event/concert-a-celebration-of-peter-takacs">celebratory concert in Warner Concert Hall on May 12</a>. A reception and <a href="https://calendar.oberlin.edu/event/piano-play-a-thon-celebrating-peter-takacs">Piano Play-a-thon</a> will round out the festivities that day.</p> <p>Born in Bucharest, Romania, Takács studied piano in France and the United States before accepting his teaching job at 91ֱ�� in 1976. Described by the <em>New York Times </em>as “a marvelous pianist,” he has performed and given master classes around the world.</p> <p>Even in the midst of his 91ֱ�� career, Takács performed 15 to 20 concerts in a typical year, which he said “contributed to my teaching by always keeping me on my toes, musically speaking.” His student <a href="http://www.spencermyer.com">Spencer Myer '00</a>, now an associate professor at Indiana University, says he has a new appreciation for the challenges of juggling teaching with performing. </p> <p>“I'm excited for him in that he can invest more time in practicing, performing, and doing his passion projects,” Myer said. “It’s definitely not an end—it’s a new chapter. So there’s a lot to celebrate.”</p> <p>Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90 is Myer’s chosen repertoire for the celebration concert. It’s a fitting tribute, as Takács is a well-known Beethoven interpreter. His recording of the complete piano sonatas—released in 2011 and <a href="/news/peter-takacs-complete-beethoven-sonatas-reissued-cambria-label">reissued</a> in 2021—made him the first pianist to release them all in a single volume.</p> <p>“I think he’s just the perfect person and musician and pianist for Beethoven,” Myer said.</p> <p>At 91ֱ��, the <a href="/news/ho-ting-kelvin-tang-earns-2021-takacs-beethoven-piano-prize">Peter Takács Beethoven Prize</a> was established in fall 2019 to celebrate his teaching legacy and lifelong dedication to the composer.</p> <p>Myer had initially come to 91ֱ�� to study with Joseph Schwartz, who retired after his first two years. But Myer felt drawn to Takács because they were of similar musical minds.</p> <p>“He just loves nothing more than to live and breathe and talk about music. I definitely share that with him,” Myer said. “So the connection was there, and I knew that transition from one teacher to another would be totally seamless.”</p> <p>During a recent conversation, Takács touched on the highlights of his teaching career, the legacy of his students, and what comes next.</p> <p><strong>You started at 91ֱ�� more than four decades ago. Could you paint a picture of your first few years?</strong></p> <p>In the early days, I was kind of eager to do just about anything that anybody wanted me to do. You know how it is when you’re young, right? Those were the heady early days of doing difficult contemporary music. And you know, I must say that over the years I’ve retired from that literature and gone to what I love, which is the classics.</p> <p><strong>Any favorite memories from that time?</strong></p> <p>Olivier Messiaen was here in 1978, and I played a piece called Oiseaux exotiques. There's a cadenza for piano, and I made some kind of gesture and I knocked my glasses off. And I just kind of leaned down, picked them off the floor, put them back on and just kept playing. People still remember that—it was an exciting performance.</p> <p><strong>How are you feeling about retirement, has it sunk in yet?</strong></p> <p>There are going to be some adjustments, of course. But last year I was teaching at two thirds, and this year I’m at half. So it’s not completely cold turkey. I feel good about it—I’m still performing and I have some recording plans for the next couple of years, so I’ll definitely keep active.</p> <p><strong>What kind of recording projects are in the works?</strong></p> <p>I’ve already recorded five of Beethoven’s violin sonatas, and the next five are planned for next year. It’s been really exciting—with editing these days, you can do anything you want. The latest violin sonata is in the process of being edited, and it’s fun to see if you can find that perfect take that can fill a gap.</p> <p><strong>You’ll be playing in the celebration concert together with one of your former students, conductor Robert Spano. How did that come about?</strong></p> <p>Bob and I are friends, and he’s writing a piece for us for piano four hands. The working title is Benediction, so that has a ring to it. He said it’s a combination of Arvo Pärt and Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. So he wants it to be kind of simple and maybe sort of childlike in some ways.</p> <p>I’m very touched that he’s coming and I’m touched by everyone that’s coming. There’s maybe 40 studio alumni who are coming that day, including the performers. They’re all exceptional.</p> <p><strong>Are there any shared attributes that you see among your students?</strong></p> <p>There are some things that are very important to me. It’s kind of a combination of intellectual analysis and emotional involvement with the music. And I think I hear that in my students. I have some who still write to me and say, “I found the perfect phrasing for a certain section of a piece—it took me like a week to figure it out, but I finally did it.” So it’s very rewarding to hear that my legacy is still out there.</p> <p><strong>What’s your favorite 91ֱ�� venue?</strong></p> <p>I think Finney Chapel is a treasure—really beautiful acoustics. There have been events there that linger in the memory. One of them was when Simon Rattle came and conducted Mahler 4 in Finney. The place was completely electric—it was packed to the gills.</p> <p>My concert with Robert Spano was another one of those electric moments, but I was on stage. The orchestra was on its toes and the audience was pretty full—big ovation at the end and all that. </p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Peter Takács with Robert Spano after their December 2021 performance of Beethoven's third piano concerto with the 91ֱ�� Orchestra.</figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Any non-musical hobbies you’re excited to have more time for?</strong></p> <p>I’m kind of an addicted puzzle solver. I do the <em>New York Times</em> crossword, the Spelling Bee, and Wordle. I would love to get in better shape, that would be nice. And we’ll do some traveling. There’s a lot of exciting things that I’m planning to do when I have more time.</p> <p><strong>Any final thoughts about your time at 91ֱ��?</strong></p> <p>I'd like to say that 91ֱ��'s been an ideal place to be. I have incredibly stimulating colleagues and I have had an administration that's been very helpful and not interfering. You pretty much have freedom to profess your convictions. And the students over the years have been incredible.</p> <p>—</p> <p><em>Stephanie Manning '23 completed her bachelor’s degree in bassoon performance with a dual concentration in arts management and journalism. A 2022 fellow of the Rubin Institute for Music Criticism, she has contributed frequently to ClevelandClassical.com and Early Music America. She is currently pursuing a graduate diploma in journalism from Concordia University in Montreal.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Professor Peter Takács has taught 91ֱ�� pianists since 1976. His impressive teaching career may be coming to an end, but a new chapter is just beginning.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-05-04T12:00:00Z">Sat, 05/04/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Stephanie Manning ’23</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3341">Conservatory Faculty</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2414">Faculty</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Pianist Jiongli Wang to Perform with 91ֱ�� Chamber Orchestra</h1> <p>cstrauss — Fri, 03 May 2024 03:26:48 +0000</p> <span>Pianist Jiongli Wang to Perform with 91ֱ�� Chamber Orchestra</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-05-02T23:26:48-04:00" title="Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 23:26">Thu, 05/02/2024 - 23:26</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Each spring, 91ֱ�� orchestras feature four student soloists who have been awarded the honor in the annual Senior Concerto Competition. On <a href="https://calendar.oberlin.edu/event/concert_oberlin_chamber_orchestra_7138">Friday, May 3</a>, the 91ֱ�� Chamber Orchestra performs a program that will showcase fourth-year pianist Jiongli Wang in Frédéric Chopin’s First Piano Concerto. </p> <p>91ֱ�� Orchestras Director <a href="/raphael-jimenez">Raphael Jiménez</a> has also programmed Ludwig van Beethoven’s compellingly rhythmic and inventive Symphony No. 7, as well as the world premiere of Black River Prelude, composed by fourth-year composer Cashel Day-Lewis, commissioned by 91ֱ�� Conservatory in honor of the Lorain County Bicentennial. </p> <p>The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Finney Chapel and is free, open to the public, and <a href="/conservatory/on-stage/live-webcasts/finney-chapel-live-webcast">streamed live at concert time</a>.</p> <p><em><strong>Meet the soloist</strong></em></p> <p>Born in Wenzhou, China, Jiongli Wang started to play the piano at the age of 6. From 2017 to 2020, he studied at Gulangyu Piano Academy at the Central Conservatory of Music. Wang is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at 91ֱ�� Conservatory, where he studies with Professor <a href="/alvin-chow">Alvin Chow</a>. He has performed in major concert halls in China including Shanghai Concert Hall, Gulangyu Concert Hall, and Ningxia Grant Theatre, among several others. He has attended several piano festivals, including Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, Adamant Piano Festival, Shanghai International Music Festival, and Europe International Music Festival. He has been honored to play in master classes for well-known musicians such as Lydia Artymiw, Kathryn Brown, Angela Cheng, Marc-André Hamelin, Douglas Humpherys, Ewa Pobłocka, and Mikhail Voskresensky. At 91ֱ��, Wang has been a prize winner of the 2022 Peter Takács Beethoven Piano Competition and 2023 Arthur Dann Competition, in addition to the 2023 Senior Concerto Competition.</p> <p><em><strong>Q&A</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>What was your reason for choosing the Chopin first piano concerto?</strong></em></p> <p>Chopin's First Piano Concerto is undoubtedly one of the most popular piano concertos in the world. He composed this work at the remarkably young age of 20. Despite his youth, the concerto exhibits not only passion, but also a maturity and depth of emotion that belies his age. These qualities deeply resonate with me, and more importantly, this concerto offers the performer an incredible opportunity to showcase their creativity. Listening to and playing this concerto is such fun, and I never grow bored discovering new things in it.</p> <p><strong><em>What has the piece taught you about your playing and how to reach an audience?</em></strong></p> <p>Music is the art of sound and time, each of which needs to be balanced in delicate proportion. Alongside the emotional depth, mastering various sound qualities is required. Every time I play Chopin's First Concerto, it's an experimentation with different touches in order to explore more possibilities. Moreover, this piece has also taught me about the proportion of rubato. Playing with an orchestra makes it impossible to do the same rubato as in a solo performance. It requires maintaining the steady pulse of the music as well as having flexibility in tempo. Reaching an audience is always a major concern for a musician. For me, aside from fine technique and a wide range of sound, it is even more crucial to play with authenticity and sincerity. </p> <p><em><strong>When you think back on your time at 91ֱ��, what stands out about the experience of going to school here?</strong></em></p> <p>Undoubtedly, I've had a very memorable study experience at 91ֱ��. The vibrant and inclusive community fostered a sense of belonging that enriched both my academic and personal growth. 91ֱ�� Conservatory gathers a group of talented musicians, and I truly felt inspired by my peers. In addition, 91ֱ�� offers an excellent academic environment. The world-class faculty challenged and mentored me to expand my knowledge and develop my skills. Most importantly, many thanks go to my teacher Professor Alvin Chow, who provided me with extremely valuable guidance. Under his tutelage, I’ve cultivated a deeper understanding of music. His unwavering support and encouragement empowered me to push beyond my limits and I’m deeply grateful for his mentorship.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Program also includes world premiere work by composition student Cashel Day-Lewis</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-05-02T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/02/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2410">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2396">International Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4052">Concerto Winners</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/alvin-chow" hreflang="und">Alvin Chow</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/raphael-jimenez" hreflang="und">Raphael Jiménez</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>José Ramón Méndez Appointed to Piano Faculty at 91ֱ��</h1> <p>cstrauss — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:10:04 +0000</p> <span>José Ramón Méndez Appointed to Piano Faculty at 91ֱ��</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-04-18T18:10:04-04:00" title="Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 18:10">Thu, 04/18/2024 - 18:10</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ�� Conservatory is delighted to announce that pianist <a href="https://www.joseramonmendez.com/">José Ramón Méndez</a> will join the faculty as Associate Professor of Piano in the fall 2024 semester. </p> <p>With Professor Peter Takács’ retirement at the end of this spring semester, Méndez now fills in the ranks of the highly acclaimed and productive teaching and performing faculty in 91ֱ��’s Piano Department.</p> <p>"José Ramón Méndez is an excellent fit to be the newest member of our piano faculty,” says <a href="/alvin-chow">Alvin Chow</a>, Professor and Chair of the Piano Department. “We have long admired his work, and are delighted to welcome him to be our colleague." </p> <p>Mendéz is familiar with both the 91ֱ�� campus and many of the Conservatory’s student pianists. He first visited 91ֱ�� in fall 2014 to serve on the jury for 91ֱ��’s Senior Concerto Competition, also performing a recital and teaching a master class. He spoke fondly of the experience, and “the exceptionally high level of excellence of the pianists” he heard perform in the competition and the master class.</p> <p>“I’m excited to be coming to 91ֱ�� because of this level of excellence—really the highest, as far as I’m concerned,” says Mendéz, “but besides that, the rest of the faculty is a draw. I’ve had the chance to be with several of them through the years at festivals. When this opportunity came, the decision was very easy because I knew it was a place where I could contribute. I feel very welcomed.”</p> <p>Méndez grew up in a musical family and received his first music instruction from his father. By age 7, he was already performing on Spanish television and radio stations. He made his solo debut at 11 with the Oviedo Philharmonic Society in Spain, the youngest performer ever to do so in the history of the society. He gained international recognition when he performed Liszt's first piano concerto under the direction of Sergiu Commissiona at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Since then, he has concertized extensively in his native Spain, the United States, Italy, England, Portugal, Holland, and Japan to great acclaim. </p> <p>The repertoire Méndez chooses to perform is very wide. “I am one of those people who remains in love with pieces they’ve played since they were 5,” he laughs. “I never tire of playing pieces and I’m forever in love with the pieces that everybody plays—I might be a very strange type of musician. But I really do love a lot of the repertoire.” </p> <p>He continues more seriously, “Bach has always been a love of mine, and I find that I have almost a therapeutic need for Bach. It’s kind of like a soul-cleansing thing I have to do.” </p> <p>“People that hear my playing refer to me as a Romantic pianist,” he shares, “so that repertoire is important to me. And, because I come from Spain, I play Spanish music for the piano—including contemporary Spanish music. I like to expose people to the music of my country.”</p> <p>Méndez came to the United States for school, completing all of his studies at the Manhattan School of Music. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance with Solomon Mikowsky before finishing his Doctorate of Musical Arts under the tutelage of Byron Janis and Miyoko Lotto.</p> <p>His professional teaching career began in 1996, when he was invited to teach master classes at the Gijon School of Music. He now runs the two-week-long <a href="https://gijonpiano.com/">Gijon International Piano Festival</a> in Gijon, Spain, serving as its artistic director and on the faculty. The festival hosts up to 65 pianists from Europe, Asia, and many students enrolled in American schools. And, Méndez says, “There’s always a large contingent of 91ֱ�� students at the festival. We love receiving students from 91ֱ��. They are good citizens at our festival.”</p> <p>In addition to this festival and others, Méndez has been a member of the keyboard faculties at the University of Texas at Austin, New York University, The Pennsylvania State University, and Northwestern University. He currently serves on the piano faculty at Northern Arizona University.</p> <p>His apparent love for teaching comes through in his hopes and vision for his 91ֱ�� studio. “I hope that I can inspire in the students, if anything else, a love for music, a love for the instrument, and love for the instrument’s repertoire. In my studio, one needs a generally open-minded curiosity for culture and art. And I encourage an open-minded attitude for the works of underrepresented composers and for different musical styles. But, none of that can happen without a safe environment. I want my students to understand that they are encouraged and respected. They have to feel comfortable and safe in order to express who they are.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Described as "the Spanish pianist of his generation” by "Hoja del Lunes de Madrid," he brings an internationally renowned reputation as a pedagogue and performer.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-04-18T12:00:00Z">Thu, 04/18/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3341">Conservatory Faculty</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Semester Ends with a Packed Performance Calendar</h1> <p>cstrauss — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 16:59:18 +0000</p> <span>Semester Ends with a Packed Performance Calendar</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-12-08T11:59:18-05:00" title="Friday, December 8, 2023 - 11:59">Fri, 12/08/2023 - 11:59</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ�� Conservatory’s student and faculty performers have been filling most concert venues throughout the campus over the last week. In just the last few days, we’ve heard performances by the Conservatory’s newest ensembles—the Djembe Orchestra led by Associate Professor of West African Drumming <a href="/weedie-braimah">Weedie Braimah</a>, and students in the 91ֱ�� Creative Music Lab directed in open-form and guided improvisation by Associate Professor of Contemporary Music and Improvisation <a href="/dana-jessen">Dana Jessen</a>. Guest artist and Brazilian pianist Helio Alves collaborated in the performances of original works with Performance and Improvisation Ensembles—ensembles dedicated to the exploration of many different world musics.</p> <p>During these final five bustling days before students head into reading period and then exams, large scale works by Johannes Brahms and Georg Frideric Handel will be heard standing alongside newer works by Jiyun Kim and André Previn. There are also two world premieres that feature appearances by both faculty and student soloists. This explosion of activity feels something akin to the thrilling finale of a fireworks display on New Year's Eve. So, join in—even from a distance. All of these concerts are free and open to the public, and all but one of them can be streamed live at concert time at <strong><a href="http://oberlin.edu/livestream">oberlin.edu/livestream</a></strong>.</p> <p>The <strong>91ֱ�� Orchestra</strong>, conducted by <a href="/raphael-jimenez">Raphael Jiménez</a>, will give their last performance of the fall semester in Finney Chapel on <strong>Friday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m.</strong> Jihyun Kim’s <em>A Tramp in the Assembly Line</em> opens the evening. Kim describes it as “a musical panorama” inspired by scenes from Charlie Chaplin’s comedy, <em>Modern Times</em>. Previously a visiting professor at 91ֱ��, Kim is now composition faculty at the Washington State University.</p> <p>Voice professor and soprano <a href="/katherine-jolly">Katherine Jolly</a> joins the orchestra as featured soloist in the middle work, André Previn's <em>Honey and Rue</em>, a 1992 song cycle commissioned by soprano Kathleen Battle for soprano, orchestra, and jazz combo. The text is a setting of six poems by Lorain, Ohio-born writer Toni Morrison. The lives of women and African Americans are the inspiration for the poems, which use images of yearning, satisfaction, and resolution.</p> <p>Of the composition, Jolly said, “<em>Honey and Rue</em> is a cycle that I've lived with for 21 years. When I heard the recording and read through the score at age 15, I knew it would be a major part of my future career. It was on my bucket list, understanding that I needed to be much older to truly sing it with the technique and depth it deserves. <em>Honey and Rue</em> is a retrospective exploration of a black woman's existence, moving through and back to slavery. I am very honored to sing the 91ֱ�� debut, just seven miles from where Toni Morrison grew up in Lorain.”</p> <p>The orchestra closes the evening with Brahms’ monumental Symphony No. 4— a piece that is at once emotionally despairing and resigned while astonishing and inspirational in its compositional virtuosity.</p> <hr> <p>Opportunities to hear our students and faculty perform <strong>chamber music</strong> abound on <strong>Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10</strong>. Things get underway at <strong>2:30 p.m. on Saturday</strong> in Kulas Recital Hall with small ensemble works that center <strong>classical guitar</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Six quartets</strong> in 91ֱ��’s Advanced String Quartet Seminar will follow on the final <strong>ChamberFest! </strong>performance of the semester at <strong>4:30 p.m.</strong>, where audiences will hear performances of six of Ludwig van Beethoven’s middle and late quartets. This seminar is a serious and intense immersion into the world of the string quartet, directed by 91ֱ�� faculty and string quartet specialists, <a href="/sibbi-bernhardsson">Sibbi Bernhardsson</a> and <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/kirsten-docter">Kirsten Docter</a>. The program recently celebrated great success in the launch of 91ֱ��’s fully undergraduate Poiesis Quartet, winner of the 2023 Fischoff National Chamber Music last May.</p> <p>Saturday evening brings the works of four masterful composers for the keyboard—Camille Saint-Saëns, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maurice Ravel, and Franz Schubert—to 91ֱ��’s <strong>Piano Duo Fest</strong>. Hear four sets of student pianist duos perform in Warner Concert Hall at <strong>7:30 p.m</strong>. (<strong><em>This concert is in-person only.)</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Faculty and guest artists</strong> perform a sonata program in Kulas Recital Hall at 1<strong>2:30 p.m. on Sunday</strong>. Hear flutist <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/alexa-still">Alexa Still</a>, violinist Grigory Kalinovsky, and pianists <a href="/tony-weinstein">Anthony Weinstein</a> and <a href="/tatiana-lokhina">Tatiana Lokhina</a> in works by Gabriel Fauré, Anton Rubinstein, and César Franck.</p> <hr> <p><strong>Vocal ensembles</strong> are also featured prominently this weekend. The a cappella early music ensemble <strong>Collegium Musicum 91ֱ��iense</strong>, under the direction of <a href="/steven-plank">Steven Plank</a>, performs their program twice in the intimate setting of Fairchild Chapel at <strong>7:30 p.m.</strong> on <strong>Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9</strong>. The program centers on the music of Henry Purcell, opening and closing with his celebratory anthem in five-part harmony, I was glad. Additional works by William Byrd, Thomas Tallis, and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, among others, fill out the offering.</p> <p>The collective forces of <strong>Musical Union</strong>—the nation’s second longest-standing choral tradition—and <strong>91ֱ�� College Choir</strong> will perform <strong>Handel’s complete Messiah</strong> with the <strong>91ֱ�� Chamber Orchestra</strong> and numerous student vocal soloists on <strong>Sunday, December 10 at 2:30 p.m.</strong> in Finney Chapel.</p> <p>91ֱ�� Conservatory Director of Choral Ensembles <a href="/gregory-ristow">Gregory Ristow</a> says, “We've been so lucky to have faculty members <a href="/edwin-huizinga-06">Edwin Huizinga</a> and <a href="/rebecca-reed">Rebecca Landell Reed</a> from our Historical Performance Program work with our string players and share more about styles of playing and bowing that are unique to the Baroque era. Their suggestions have really helped the piece come alive, with the articulations jumping off the page.”</p> <p>91ֱ��’s Professor of Musicology <a href="/charles-mcguire">Charles McGuire</a> writes, “<em>Messiah </em>was one of the compositions that helped form the canon of concert-hall music we have today, for better or worse. Many choirs were formed in the 19th century specifically to sing <em>Messiah</em>. And performances of <em>Messiah</em> have funded many a charitable undertaking, including 91ֱ��. The Musical Union’s (MU) first performance of the oratorio was in 1849. Between 1878 and 1917, and in most years thereafter, MU gave an annual performance of <em>Messiah</em> in December. These performances were sought-after tickets and the excellence of the Musical Union was reported on nationally, and they raised a great deal of money for our institution.”</p> <p>Ristow continues, “It's been so many years since 91ֱ�� has presented a full performance of Handel's <em>Messiah</em>, and I'm thrilled with how everyone is sounding. If you haven't experienced the whole thing before, it's an experience not to be missed!”</p> <p>Immediately preceding this full performance, the Credo music organization will team up with 91ֱ�� once again in its annual <strong>“Messiah Sing Along” at 1:30 p.m.</strong> For a dozen years now, Credo has presented this event. The organization's director and 91ֱ�� viola professor <a href="/peter-slowik">Peter Slowik</a> says, "As Credo celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, we are so grateful to call 91ֱ�� our home. This year's hybrid format is a result of two great ideas coming together! We are delighted to come alongside the Conservatory's production of <em>Messiah</em> this year, and we look forward to the continuation of the sing-along tradition next year.</p> <hr> <p>The Conservatory’s last performance of the semester is with <strong>91ֱ��’s Contemporary Music Ensemble and Sinfonietta</strong> under the direction of <a href="/timothy-weiss">Timothy Weiss</a>. Their relatively rare appearance in Finney Chapel is at <strong>7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12</strong>. These ensembles regularly perform works by women and 91ֱ�� alumni composers, and they are acclaimed for their commitment to giving world premiere performances. This concert is no different: <strong>Two world premieres</strong>—one by student composer Cashel Day-Lewis and the other by faculty composer <a href="/jesse-jones">Jesse Jones</a> are also solo vehicles for a student violin soloist Max Ball, and voice professor <a href="/timothy-lefebvre">Timothy LeFebvre</a>, baritone. Weiss has also programmed pieces by Carolina Heredia and Lotta Wennäkoski. Completing the program, is the 2022 composition <em>Neshamah </em>by 91ֱ�� alumnus and composer David Serkin Ludwig ’95. The <em>New York Times</em>, has described that “Ludwig orchestrates with the skill and sophistication of a Ravel, and generates the power and thrills of a John Williams adventure film score.”</p> <p>Clearly, there is something for everyone over the next five days. Listen, wherever you are. Learn more on <a href="https://calendar.oberlin.edu/calendar/week?event_types%5B%5D=19263">91ֱ�� Conservatory's Events Calendar</a>.</p> <p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Large and small ensembles bring extraordinary range of repertoire to 91ֱ��’s stages</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-12-08T12:00:00Z">Fri, 12/08/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3879">Performances</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=33331">Composition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=28886">Historical Performance</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/katherine-jolly" hreflang="und">Katherine Jolly</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/gregory-ristow" hreflang="und">Gregory Ristow ’01</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/raphael-jimenez" hreflang="und">Raphael Jiménez</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/timothy-weiss" hreflang="und">Timothy Weiss</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/timothy-lefebvre" hreflang="und">Timothy LeFebvre</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/sibbi-bernhardsson" hreflang="und">Sibbi Bernhardsson</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/kirsten-docter" hreflang="und">Kirsten Docter</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/peter-slowik" hreflang="und">Peter Slowik</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/steven-plank" hreflang="und">Steven Plank</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/edwin-huizinga-06" hreflang="und">Edwin Huizinga ’06</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/rebecca-landell" hreflang="und">Rebecca Landell</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/charles-mcguire" hreflang="und">Charles McGuire</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/alexa-still" hreflang="und">Alexa Still</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/tatiana-lokhina" hreflang="und">Tatiana Lokhina</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/tony-weinstein" hreflang="und">Tony Weinstein</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/weedie-braimah" hreflang="und">Weedie Braimah</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/dana-jessen" hreflang="und">Dana Jessen</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jesse-jones" hreflang="und">Jesse Jones</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/conducting-and-ensembles" hreflang="und">Conducting and Ensembles</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/strings" hreflang="und">Strings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/vocal-studies" hreflang="und">Vocal Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/winds-brass-and-percussion" hreflang="und">Winds, Brass, and Percussion</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/contemporary-music" hreflang="und">Contemporary Music</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Musical Union and the 91ֱ�� Orchestra in Finney Chapel</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Seyfried</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Time Traveling with Jeremy Denk</h1> <p>srasmuss — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 21:32:43 +0000</p> <span>Time Traveling with Jeremy Denk</span> <span><span>srasmuss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-11-13T16:32:43-05:00" title="Monday, November 13, 2023 - 16:32">Mon, 11/13/2023 - 16:32</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>“The bad thing is that you’re always kind of stuck in the past,” the pianist said, referring to repertoire choices. “But the good thing is you can time travel in this wild way and see across centuries a little bit.”</p> <p>Denk’s latest program spans three centuries, to be exact—the 19th to the 21st. It’s also an exploration of women composers from the Romantic to the contemporary. While touring the recital across the country, he will perform in 91ֱ��’s Finney Chapel on <a href="/events/artist_recital_series_jeremy_denk_piano">November 30 as part of the Artist Recital Series</a>.</p> <p>“I often struggle with how to present some of this neglected repertoire in the context of a ‘normal’ piano recital,” Denk said. For the works by women, he opted for a playlist format—10 selections, each between two and seven minutes. The order is a careful balance, divided into pairs which are each “wildly contrasting in one way or another.”</p> <p>The opening is shrouded in a “terrible grief,” Denk said, via Clara Schumann’s <em>Romance</em>, Op. 21, No. 1. “You feel her personal investment,” he said. “And there's a violence towards the end where this sorrow bursts into this thing.”</p> <p><em>Romance</em>’s pair, Tania León’s <em>Rituál</em>, is another approach to outpouring emotion. Denk described it as a “really wild and wooly” piece of piano writing. “It may be a little bit much to say it's a new classic, because it's a little bit more confrontational,” he said.“But for me, it’s a classic of the last 40 or 50 years.”</p> <p>The roughly 35-minute playlist continues bouncing back and forth from past to present. For fans of the Romantics, there’s Cécile Chaminade (<em>The Flatterer</em>) and Louise Farrenc (<em>Mélodie in A-flat Major</em>). And for those who prefer a modern sensibility, there’s Meredith Monk’s <em>Paris</em> and Missy Mazzoli’s <em>Heartbreaker</em>.</p> <p>“I wish Missy would write more piano music,” Denk said. “I think her command of harmonies is really astonishing.”</p> <p>Another pleasant surprise for Denk was Ruth Crawford Seeger’s <em>Piano Study in Mixed Accents</em>. “I knew she was a great composer, but this piece is so, so fabulous,” he said. ”It’s just a simple premise—both hands in unison changing meters—but the notes are brilliantly sinuous and it's so funky.”</p> <p>The final pairing stands out to Denk: Phyllis Chen’s ’99 <em>Sumitones</em> and the “Dreaming” movement from Amy Beach’s <em>Four Sketches</em>. Although written more than a century apart, the two works “speak to each other in an incredible way,” he said. </p> <p>He particularly praised the work by Chen, who is a former classmate of his from Indiana University—and a fellow 91ֱ�� alum. “It’s very much about awareness of the acoustics of the space,” he said. “I think it’s the perfect piece for Finney.”</p> <p>Finney Chapel holds plenty of memories from Denk’s time at 91ֱ��. A double degree student in piano performance and chemistry, Denk characterized his time at the school as “incredibly intense” and “quite stressful.” Still, Finney provided plenty of moments to remember: late night recording sessions with the Contemporary Music Ensemble, a winning performance during the concerto competition, and the spellbinding experience of hearing The Cleveland Orchestra for the first time.</p> <p>“It’s a magical space,” he said. The Cleveland Orchestra performance, in particular, was a moment he recounted in his memoir, 2022’s <em>Every Good Boy Does Fine</em>.</p> <p>Denk’s program continues to develop, and he remains open to changes down the line. For instance, there’s the matter of what comes after intermission, which at his recent performance in Washington, D.C. consisted of works by Robert Schumann and Wolfgang Mozart. He asked the audience there whether he should flip the order of the program to end with the women’s voices instead.</p> <p>The response? “They seemed to want the dead white guys to have the last word.”</p> <p>Denk remains unsure. “It's a tough sell, the ending of the all-female composers’ set, because it is so spaced out,” he said after a pause. “We’ll see.”</p> <p>Regardless of the order, Denk hopes audiences walk away thinking of a composer they want to hear more of. There are plenty to choose from within the musical tapestry, from which he highlighted qualities of expressivity, romanticism, and yearning. </p> <p>“Also, my time at 91ֱ�� was characterized by all kinds of inchoate and wild yearning,” he added, laughing. “So, hopefully I can channel all that.”</p> <p>TICKETS<br> <a href="/tickets/event-details?EventId=6201">Reserved seating tickets</a> for Jeremy Denk's performance are $35 for the general public. Discounted tickets are $30 for senior citizens, military, and 91ֱ�� College staff, faculty, and alumni. Student admission is just $10. 91ֱ�� students with a valid ID have access to free tickets through our <a href="/artsguide/ticket-information/claim-your-seat">Claim Your Seat</a> program.</p> <p>Tickets are available online and by phone at 800-371-0178. Patrons may also purchase them in person between noon and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 91ֱ�� College's Central Ticket Service, located at 67 N. Main Street, in the lobby of the Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Complex.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="/artsguide">Arts at 91ֱ��</a>.</p> <p>This program is proudly supported by Ideastream Public Media, official media partner of the Artist Recital Series.</p> <p><em>Stephanie Manning ’23 completed her bachelor’s degree in bassoon performance with a dual concentration in arts management and journalism. A 2022 fellow of the Rubin Institute for Music Criticism, she has contributed frequently to ClevelandClassical.com and Early Music America. She is currently pursuing a graduate diploma in journalism from Concordia University in Montreal.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The pianist and 91ֱ�� alum is touring the country with an era-spanning program featuring women composers. He returns to Finney Chapel for the Artist Recital Series on November 30.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-13T12:00:00Z">Mon, 11/13/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Stephanie Manning '23</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Time traveling isn’t usually taught in music school. But it’s one of <a href="https://www.jeremydenk.com/">Jeremy Denk’s ’90</a> favorite parts about being a classical musician.</p> <p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2364">Artist Recital Series</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2548">Concerts and Recitals</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2357">Double Degree Program</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Michael Wilson</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Courtney Bryan ’04 Wins Prestigious MacArthur Fellowship</h1> <p>eburnett — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 01:09:41 +0000</p> <span>Courtney Bryan ’04 Wins Prestigious MacArthur Fellowship</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-10-03T21:09:41-04:00" title="Tuesday, October 3, 2023 - 21:09">Tue, 10/03/2023 - 21:09</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Composer and pianist <a href="https://www.courtneybryan.com/">Courtney Bryan</a>, a 2004 graduate of 91ֱ�� Conservatory whose works explore the African American experience through a range of musical and sociopolitical influences, has been awarded a MacArthur Fellowship for 2023, one of the nation’s most prestigious and lucrative honors.</p> <p>A native of New Orleans, Bryan completed a BM in <a href="/node/75916">composition</a> at 91ֱ��, an MM from Rutgers University, and an MA and DMA from Columbia University. Since 2016 she has taught at Tulane University, where she is the Albert and Linda Mintz Professor of Music. She is also composer in residence at Opera Philadelphia. Bryan’s compositions have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and numerous other renowned venues and festivals.</p> <p>Widely known as the “Genius Grant,” the <a href="https://www.macfound.org/programs/fellows/">MacArthur Fellowship</a> recognizes the creative contributions and potential of individuals representing disciplines across the sciences, arts, and humanities. Each fellow receives a stipend of $800,000 with no strings attached.</p> <p>Bryan becomes the 14th graduate of 91ֱ�� to be honored with a MacArthur Fellowship. She follows writer and educator <a href="/news/kiese-laymon-98-earns-macarthur-foundation-honor-2022">Kiese Laymon ’98</a>, who won in 2022, and musician <a href="/news/rhiannon-giddens-00-named-macarthur-fellow-2017">Rhiannon Giddens ’00</a>, a 2017 honoree.</p> <p>“It’s still sinking in for me,” Bryan said from the American Academy in Rome, where she is completing work made possible by a <a href="/news/courtney-bryan-04-awarded-rome-prize-composition">Rome Prize</a> awarded in 2019. Still reckoning with the news of her MacArthur honor, she said she’s not sure how she will use the award but that she’s in the early stages of “brainstorm mode.”</p> <p>“The honor of MacArthur is an affirmation of one pursuing one’s own path,” she said. “I feel affirmed and I feel grateful for my family, community, teachers, and collaborators who have helped me grow to who I am today. I also hope to use this stage of my career to see what things I can help build upon—especially in New Orleans, to further creative opportunities for other creatives.”</p> <p>Bryan’s eclectic musical interests—which include classical, jazz, spiritual, gospel, and postmodern influences—can be traced to her studies at 91ֱ��. In addition to her composition major, she studied classical and jazz piano extensively, mentored by piano professors <a href="/node/6736">Alvin Chow</a> and <a href="/node/6721">Dan Wall</a> and a host of other faculty across the conservatory and college. She was a fixture in the 91ֱ�� Jazz Ensemble throughout her time on campus and she regularly collaborates with a long list of fellow 91ֱ�� alumni musicians.</p> <p>“I remain grateful for my time at 91ֱ��: a time when I really got to explore the paths forward and to be in such a creative environment with such amazing professors and classmates,” Bryan said from Rome. “I loved my time at 91ֱ��!”</p> <p>Learn more about Bryan at <a href="https://www.courtneybryan.com/">courtneybryan.com</a>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Composer-pianist’s artistry reveals wide-ranging influences; honor is the 14th for an 91ֱ�� graduate.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-10-04T12:00:00Z">Wed, 10/04/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2974">Conservatory Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3878">Conservatory of Music</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=34691">Jazz Performance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=33331">Composition</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/alvin-chow" hreflang="und">Alvin Chow</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/contemporary-music" hreflang="und">Contemporary Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/jazz-studies" hreflang="und">Jazz Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>2023 Cooper International Competition for Piano Opens</h1> <p>cstrauss — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 02:05:50 +0000</p> <span>2023 Cooper International Competition for Piano Opens</span> <span><span>cstrauss</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-07-30T22:05:50-04:00" title="Sunday, July 30, 2023 - 22:05">Sun, 07/30/2023 - 22:05</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nineteen young pianists from around the world have arrived in 91ֱ�� and have drawn for their order of performance. They will take the stage July 31 through August 4 for the twelfth annual <a href="http://oberlin.edu/cooper">Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition</a>. Each of them will vie for a share of $40,000—including a $20,000 first prize.</p> <p>The field features <a href="/cooper-competition/piano-2023/participants">performers</a> who range in age from 13 to 18 and hail from four states and seven countries: Austria, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and the U.S.</p> <p>These outstanding musicians were chosen from applications that came in from 138 pianists representing 15 countries—Australia, Austria, Canada, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam—and fourteen states from coast to coast.</p> <p>The action begins at 9:00 a.m. Monday, July 31—the first of four consecutive days of free performances at 91ֱ�� presented by the young artists. <a href="/cooper-competition/piano-2023/livestream">All rounds will be streamed live at oberlin.edu/cooper.</a></p> <p>The excitement culminates at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 4, as three finalists perform complete concertos with The Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall in Cleveland, under the direction of conductor David Robertson. Tickets start at just $15 and students under 18 years old are free with a paying adult. More information can be found at the <a href="https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/attend/concerts-and-events/2324/other-events/cooper-piano/">Cleveland Orchestra website</a> or by calling 800-686-1141.</p> <p>The winner takes home a $20,000 first prize, with $10,000 and $5,000 awarded for second and third place, respectively. Each finalist’s prize package also includes a full-tuition scholarship to attend 91ֱ�� Conservatory.</p> <p>In addition to the top prizes, the competition awards $1,500 to each of the fourth- through sixth-place winners, and also grants an Audience Prize of $500. These are presented at the conclusion of the Wednesday Concerto Round in 91ֱ�� on August 2.</p> <p><strong>ABOUT THE 2023 COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS</strong><br> <em>The pianists are listed in order of their drawing and the schedule of their performance during the Semifinal Round on Monday July 31 and Tuesday, August 1. Listings include the participants' age, current residence, and the country or countries they represent.</em></p> <p><strong>MONDAY</strong></p> <p>1. 9:00 am Andrew Sijie Li, 15, Boston, Massachusetts | Canada & Hong Kong<br> 2. 9:45 Jiahong (Ericsson) Lin, 15, West Vancouver, British Columbia | Canada & China<br> 3. 10:45 Antoni Kleczek, 16, Vienna, Virginia | United States<br> 4. 11:30 Sophia Shuya Liu, 14, Montreal, Quebec | Canada</p> <p>5. 2:00 pm Chanhyung Park, 16, Seongnam, Gyeonggi | South Korea<br> 6. 2:45 Yanyan Bao, 16, Zhuhai, Guangdong | China<br> 7. 3:45 Harmony Zhu, 17, Cresskill, New Jersey | Canada<br> 8. 4:30 Xuanyan Gong, 16, Jericho, New York | China</p> <p>9. 7:00 pm Fuyin Liu, 17, Munich, Germany | China<br> 10. 7:45 Lindsey Yang, 17, Temple City, California | United States<br> 11. 8:45 Sawako Harada, 16, Chofu, Tokyo | Japan<br> 12. 9:30 Filip Trifu, 18, Vienna | Austria</p> <p><strong>TUESDAY</strong></p> <p>13. 9:00 am Lewis Fang, 15, Hopewell, New Jersey | Canada<br> 14. 9:45 Seoeun Lee, 14, Suwon, Gyeonggi, South Korea<br> 15. 10:45 Taige Wang, 13, New York, New York | United States<br> 16. 11:30 Yuhe Jin, 16, Shanghai | China</p> <p>17. 2:00 pm Matthew Chang, 14, Bethesda, Maryland | United States<br> 18. 2:45 Pyotr Akulov, 16, Moscow | Russia<br> 19. 3:30 David Choi, 15, Los Angeles California | United States</p> <p><strong>TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW:</strong> Tickets for the Cooper Competition Concerto Finals at Severance Hall range from $15 to $32, and all students under age 18 are admitted free with a paying adult. Tickets are available at the Cleveland Orchestra website or by calling 800-686-1141.</p> <p><strong>COMPETITION SCHEDULE</strong><br> <strong>Monday, July 31</strong><br> Semifinals: Day 1<br> The Semifinal Round runs for two days and features 19 pianists performing 40-minute recitals. Sessions begin at 9 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.</p> <p><strong>Tuesday, August 1</strong><br> Semifinals: Day 2</p> <p>9 a.m. | Semifinals: Session 4<br> 2 p.m. | Semifinals: Session 5</p> <p>6 p.m. | Announcement of the SIX pianists who will move on to the Concerto Round.</p> <p><strong>Wednesday, August 2</strong><br> Concerto Round<br> The Concerto Round features six pianists in performances of a full concerto, with piano accompaniment.<br> 2 p.m. | Concerto Round<br> 7 p.m. | Concerto Round</p> <p>10:00 p.m. | Announcement of the THREE pianists who will move onto the Final Round. Awarding of the 4th through 6th prizes, and Audience Prize.</p> <p><strong>Thursday, August 3</strong><br> 7:30 p.m. | Honors Recital in Warner Concert Hall<br> This concert features pianists in performances of outstanding selections from the Semifinal Round.</p> <p><strong>Friday, August 4</strong><br> 7:30 p.m. | Final Round<br> Three pianists perform complete concertos with The Cleveland Orchestra, under the direction of David Robertson, at Severance Music Center's Mandel Concert Hall in Cleveland, Ohio.</p> <p><strong>ABOUT THE COOPER COMPETITION: </strong>Founded in 2010, the Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition is dedicated to presenting an important international competitive opportunity to highly accomplished young musicians. It is made possible through the generosity of Thomas Cooper, a 1978 graduate of 91ֱ�� College, and his wife, pianist Evon Cooper. The Cooper Competition alternates annually between piano and violin and is open to participants between the ages of 13 and 18. Past winners include pianist George Li and violinist Johan Dalene, both of whom have accumulated numerous international competition prizes and cultivated outstanding performance careers.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Young pianists vie for $40,000 in cash prizes plus the opportunity to perform with The Cleveland Orchestra.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-07-30T12:00:00Z">Sun, 07/30/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Cathy Partlow Strauss ’84</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2388">Cooper Competition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Universal Languages</h1> <p>eburnett — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 20:06:20 +0000</p> <span>Universal Languages</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-07-06T16:06:20-04:00" title="Thursday, July 6, 2023 - 16:06">Thu, 07/06/2023 - 16:06</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Kenji Anderson grew up around native Japanese speakers. His mother is Japanese, and when his family visited his grandparents in Japan, he would pick up words and phrases along the way. But it was his Japanese classes at 91ֱ�� that expanded his knowledge and fueled his passion for the country’s language and culture.</p> <p>As a <a href="https://piaweb.princeton.edu/">Princeton in Asia</a> teaching fellow, Anderson looks forward to strengthening his language skills and immersing himself in the local community of Yakage, a town in the Okayama prefecture, which will be his home base for at least the next year. As a fellow, Anderson, who departed for Japan on June 19, teaches English in local preschools and provides administrative support to the Yakage Town Hall.</p> <p>“One of the really great things about Princeton in Asia is the focus on community,” he says: “Both the community of the other fellows, but in particular, the community that you’re entering into, because we have specific roles and specific jobs cut out for us in the community.”</p> <p>Anderson, a 2022 91ֱ�� grad who studied <a href="/node/3441">English</a> and <a href="/node/24141">piano performance</a>, also pursued his interest in <a href="/node/388191">Japanese culture and language</a> through his classes and social ties on campus. He credits an East Asian studies course on fantasy in Japanese literature and movies for sparking his interest in the subject.</p> <p>“I’ve always been really interested in living in Japan,” he says. “Over my time at 91ֱ��, my general interest in Japan became combined with my interest in English and literature.”</p> <p>Anderson also took several Japanese language courses. “It was a cool way to really work on a skill that I grew up around. It was also great to have the language-learning process <em>defamiliarized</em> to me.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kenji Anderson came to 91ֱ�� to study English and piano—and left with a deepened love of Japan.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-07-13T12:00:00Z">Thu, 07/13/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Brittany Moseley</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2357">Double Degree Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25336">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25346">English</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" hreflang="und">English</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">In addition to his studies toward a double degree, Kenji Anderson fueled his fascination for Japanese culture through 91ֱ�� courses and social events.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Kenji Anderson</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32097" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-giant> <p>91ֱ��’s <a href="/node/24686">Double Degree Program</a> was definitely what drew me in. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to study in the college coming in, so I landed on the English major, which was also one of the best gifts of 91ֱ��.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27745" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>Anderson grew up in “a pretty musical household” in Emporia, Kansas. He began taking piano lessons at an early age and went on to learn the violin. For a while, he considered life as an opera singer. When it came time to apply for college, he was interested in studying at a conservatory, but also wanted to attend a school that was academically strong. For him, 91ֱ�� was the perfect fit.</p> <p>“91ֱ��’s <a href="/node/24686">Double Degree Program</a> was definitely what drew me in,” he says. “I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to study in the college coming in, so I landed on the English major, which was also one of the best gifts of 91ֱ��.”</p> <p>Anderson sees a connection between his chosen majors. Without even realizing it, he invokes musical references when talking about his English major (“Texts are a great instrument for learning about life generally,” he says at one point). He even conjoined them for his English honors thesis: a musical literary analysis on opera, which focused on the art form’s text.</p> <p>Outside of his coursework, Anderson was involved with the Japanese Student Association, which celebrates traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through events held throughout the school year. Early on, he also worked with Ballet 91ֱ�� in a musical capacity and contributed to the student newspaper the <em>91ֱ�� Review</em> as well as the student-run literary publication <em>Wilder Voice</em>.</p> <p>Anderson admits that 91ֱ��’s close-knit campus community—roughly 2,900 students pursuing studies across the college and conservatory—was a surprise at first. In time, that very dynamic became a highlight of his experience here. “By the end, it’s really nice, because you can’t get too wrapped up in your own world,” he says. “You run into people so you’re pulled back into the community. That’s a really valuable experience I had at 91ֱ��.”</p> <hr> <p><em>Founded in 1898 and affiliated with Princeton University, Princeton in Asia is dedicated to promoting appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between the U.S. and Asia.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>91ֱ�� Offers MFA in Piano Technology</h1> <p>eburnett — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:19:51 +0000</p> <span>91ֱ�� Offers MFA in Piano Technology</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-07-11T09:19:51-04:00" title="Tuesday, July 11, 2023 - 09:19">Tue, 07/11/2023 - 09:19</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Since its inception in 2014, 91ֱ�� Conservatory’s <a href="/node/388166">graduate-level program in piano technology</a> has emerged as a world leader in training students for careers in advanced piano technology.</p> <p>Beginning this year, graduates of the two-year program will earn a Master of Fine Arts in Piano Technology. The new degree replaces the Artist Diploma, which is typically conferred only in conservatory settings.</p> <p>Developed in conjunction with Steinway & Sons, 91ֱ��’s piano technology program encompasses maintenance and rebuilding as well as preparation of instruments for performance and the subtle dynamics at play when translating a concert artist's concept of how the instrument should respond to them. Since the program’s founding, graduates have secured prized positions with performing arts organizations and educational institutions across America and throughout the world.</p> <p>“You don’t need to be a high-level musician to excel in this program,” says <a href="/node/30191">John Cavanaugh</a>, executive director of piano technology and one of two principal mentors. “We welcome students who don’t necessarily have an extensive background in music: those whose undergraduate degrees may be in engineering, math, science, or even something else. We’re interested in helping students who have an interest in learning how artistry meets technology to put all of these different backgrounds together.”</p> <p>The application for fall 2024 entry will become available in September. Learn more on the <a href="/node/388166">piano technology page</a> of oberlin.edu.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Two-year graduate program prepares students for careers that blend artistry and technology, with no prior musical training necessary.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-07-11T12:00:00Z">Tue, 07/11/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=28901">Piano Technology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=29541">Piano</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/john-cavanaugh" hreflang="und">John Cavanaugh</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/keyboard-studies" hreflang="und">Keyboard Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Piano technology students works on an instrument in the shop.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Julie Gulenko</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>