Festival enriches music community
By Lilee Chan
Recognizing student scholarship and engagement in the musical arts as valuable components in one's educational experience, the Department of Music is hosting a Piano Festival May 5-7.
The annual exhibit of musicianship celebrates music as an art form and as a stimulus for community learning.
This year's Piano Festival is part of the annual Music Festival program, established by codirectors Teresa McCollough and Hans Boepple, chair of the music department, in 1997.
The festival brings the talent and artistry of students, faculty, and members of the local community together in a public showcase of performance, instruction, and musical exploration.
"Exposure to the arts is a primary element of a liberal education," Boepple said.
Music Festivals at Santa Clara "demonstrate what a remarkable group of music faculty and music students we have and are a clear demonstration of the strength of the program and the beauty and power of great music."
Beginning the festival on May 5, music majors Weston Arnold, Dustin Callahan, and John Harlander will perform Beethoven at a free Music at Noon concert.
The Piano Extravaganza concert takes place May 6, featuring performances by guest artist Nelita True and Santa Clara piano faculty. Boepple describes True, as "a terrific musician, down to earth, and one of the most celebrated piano teachers in the world."
In the past, the music department has hosted a variety of guest artists, providing students with hands-on experience and unique opportunities to develop their skills.
"The Festival strives to explore great works in depth and to expose students to the variety of literature in a particular area," McCollough said.
Both solo and group performers contribute to the classical and contemporary pieces. Faculty performers include: Boepple, McCollough, Daniel Harrison, Nick Isaacs, and Dr. Pamela Quist.
Guest artists performing are: True, Tian-en Yu and Dolores Duran-Cefalu.
Boepple opens the second half with a piece that he plays with his left hand only. By tradition, the Piano Extravaganza concert ends with a rendition of "Stars and Stripes Forever."
The concluding day features a series of workshops conducted as a symposium. Professors from the Music Teachers Association of California will instruct students in front of an audience.
The festival strives to bring people of different ages, cultures, and experiences together in song.
"At the heart of each of these festivals is music--performing, teaching, learning, exploring, and enjoying music," said Lisa Rademacher, managing director of the Center for Performing Arts
The Piano Festival is about musicianship and human expression, exploration and interaction, passion and appreciation. It is about music, and our love for it.
*Contact Lilee Chan at (541) 331-2749 or l1chan@scu.edu.