Although the audience at the Washington University Faculty Showcase Recital on Saturday evening in the 560 Building was small in number, attendees found a performance of skillfully-played music.
The University organized the event with the Missouri Music Teachers Association, which held competitive auditions during the weekend. As part of the Association’s conferences, host schools usually hold an event to showcase the talents of their faculty.
Fewer than 50 people attended the event.
The recital featured music by Frédéric Chopin and Paul Bonneau, and original jazz work by Music Director Henry Claude and Teacher of Applied Music Vincent Varvel from the University’s music department.
Elizabeth MacDonald, director of strings and cello teacher at the University, performed a Romantic piece by Clara Rogers, an English composer whose work dates from the turn of the century.
“The concert was a huge success,” MacDonald said. “It was very miscellaneous. We had some people that improvised. Our stuff was entirely written down yet unknown.”
“We both thought the piece was beautiful and needed another hearing. We enjoyed looking at it again in a new way,” MacDonald, who had performed the piece before, said.
Paul Compton, a staff member of the School of Medicine and a self-titled “frustrated musician” with a passion for the piano, attended the recital.
“Almost any kind of free, classical event around here I try to attend if I can,” Compton said, “I wish I could play like those guys.”
The musicians consisted of a small but mixed group of music faculty, who specialized in instruments ranging from piano to percussion. Many of these faculty members have also made appearances with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, along with other prestigious venues around the country, including Carnegie Recital Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City.
Compton’s friend Andrea Kaiser also came to the show. She had been to only one music event in the past.
“I felt very sorry for [the performers] because their talent far surpassed their audience,” Kaiser said. “Their skills were unbelievable—how beautifully done it was and how gracefully they hit the keys—it was beautiful.”
Both Compton and Kaiser said they were disappointed with the recital’s low turnout.
“We need a lot more people to come and attend these things. Word needs to get out,” Kaiser said.
According to Annette Burkhart, co-chair of the event and the piano accompanist to MacDonald, there has usually been a strong interest in faculty recitals. Although the 560 Building hosts several concerts each week, community members are often especially curious to hear what the University’s music faculty themselves have to offer.
This will not be the only opportunity for the faculty to perform and exhibit their talents.
“We are very interested with this building and this location in reaching out to the community around us musically,” Burkhart added.
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