Faculty showcase performance skills
Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 2:15PM By Debra Seth
It’s not often that students get to see their professors outside of classroom or office environments, but the department of music allows members of the Winthrop community a unique opportunity to view the educators in a different role: as performers.
The Faculty Series allows Winthrop professors the opportunity to showcase their performance skills and play music. Various ensembles are created based on the unique instruments each professor plays.
In addition to their rigorous schedules, the professors also make time to practice with their ensembles in preparation for performances throughout the year.
The strings ensemble has played together for three consecutive years and combines the experience of Thomas Hildreth, Elizabeth Burns and Judith Meister.
Hildreth is the conductor of the Rock Hill Chamber Orchestra at Winthrop University and plays bass in the upcoming ensemble.
Having played with many great artists and having been featured on several national recordings, Hildreth is excited about the upcoming show.
“I really enjoy any opportunity I get to work with the members of the ensemble,” Hildreth said.
Hildreth offers a formula for his ability to balance his duties as an instructor and performer.
“I enjoy both performing and teaching,” Hildreth said. “For me, the two activities go hand in hand. I learn things preparing for performances that I incorporate into my teaching, and I find that teaching helps me grow as a performer as well.”
He said this attitude could benefit students and other staff members with multiple responsibilities.
“One of our biggest challenges is finding music written for violin, cello and double bass,” Hildreth said. “This time, we are playing a three part invention by Bach that I’ve adapted for the group plus a traditional fiddle tune arranged by Mark O’Connor, a fiddle player, and Edgar Meyer, a bassist.”
Other members of the three piece ensemble are Elizabeth Burns, cello player and professor at Winthrop, and Judith Meister, violin player and adjunct professor at Winthrop and Wingate Universities.
The recital is an accompaniment of Dr. L.H., Dickert, Winthrop’s guitar instructor, will join the group for their performance of Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos’ Aria from Bachianas Brazilieras no. 5.
All three educators perform actively in the region, according to the Department of Music’s Web site.
In addition to teaching and their involvement in the faculty series, individual members of the trio are involved in the S.C. Philharmonic Orchestra, the Charlotte and N.C. Symphanies, the South Bend and Hills Dale Symphanies and national and independent recordings.
The faculty series will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 22, in Barnes Recital Hall. This is a free cultural event.
