Professors in the WashU music department held their second Faculty Music Showcase at the 560 Music Center, exhibiting a range of musical talents and techniques. The Faculty Music Showcase was initiated last February, allowing professors in the department to come together each semester and perform pieces of their choice. 

The performance on October 13 incorporated a variety of instruments, including viola, piano, flute, saxophone, guitar, violin, and soprano voice. Both solo and ensemble pieces were part of the program, pulling from different styles such as classical, jazz, and even renditions of poems.

Dr. Jennifer Gartely, Director of Programming and Applied Music, was one of the musicians in the showcase, and she commented on the collaboration and preparation that went into the show.

“The thing about being a performer is that you don’t always get opportunities to choose what you’re going to play,” Gartley said. “Like, if you’re in an orchestra, someone’s always telling you what to do. If you’re going to play a gig, for the most part, someone’s telling you what to do… it’s really nice in these moments to get to pick your own music for a change.”

The concert itself was a great way for audience members to experience and learn about different styles of music, but it was also rewarding for the professors, who were able to collaborate with one another outside of teaching. While preparing for the show, the creative process was organic and unique to each performer. 

Dr. Gartley discussed one of the pieces on the program, Birds of Peace, which she performed alongside Professor Tamara Campbell (Teacher of Applied Music, Voice) and Professor Sandra Geary (Teacher of Applied Music, Piano). She mentioned the flexible process of selecting music.

“Professor Campbell found the piece and really loves the meaning of the text, and she approached Professor Geary and myself to perform. But, you know, Professor Varvel [Director of Guitar] and Professor Vanderheyden [Teacher of Applied Music, Saxophone] have an established duo called Vehachi, and so they perform together all over town all the time.”

Set at 5:30 pm on Friday, the timing of the showcase provided a purposefully casual environment where people could drop by and enjoy some music, with its free admission making it accessible. The audience was diverse, consisting of students, families, and people across all age groups.

“We have about 10,000 people a year that are coming to various concerts here at the 560, mostly community members,” said Gartley. “It’s great to see, you know, a 19-year-old student next to possibly a 75-year-old grandmother that lives down the street. I think that’s a really organic way to introduce the community to WashU in a way that is hard to replicate in some of the other event programming.”

With around 100-150 different musical events every academic year, the music center provides a wide range of opportunities for students to attend concerts and get involved with the music scene at WashU. 

“I’d love to see more WashU communities coming to support our student concerts,” Gartley said. “I think that can build the routine of going to hear music because once you get into that routine of going to concerts and making it part of your ridiculously busy schedules, it becomes less scary.”