The Poet Speaks: Concert Experiences Beyond the Music
November 16, 2010: 7:00 pm, Frank Center Theater

This year marks the bicentennial of the birth of Robert Schumann (1810-1856), one of the most “romantic” of the Romantics. He epitomized the era’s aesthetic movement through his music, and, his work as a music critic. This year also marks important anniversaries for Hugo Wolf (1860-1903) and Gustav Mahler (1860-1911). All of these composers’ works represent important psychological and metaphysical connections to their difficult personal lives, as well as to their choice of poetry. Through this celebration of their music we hope to shed light on the sophisticated interplay between poetry and music in their songs.

This project also represents collaboration between faculty members and students of various disciplines, working independently to create a concert “event.” Performing artists are frequently looking for ways to capture an audience's attention and at the same time attract new audience members. Concerts that introduce other art forms or disciplines are an innovative way to inspire both audiences and musicians. Collaborating with colleagues from other disciplines, such as art, history, dance, literature and foreign languages, provides a wealth of ideas for original programming and an opportunity to expand our own appreciation of art.

It is our task as performers to show audiences that live classical music offers something unique and memorable that no recording can duplicate. By exploring the relationship between music and other disciplines and sharing these discoveries with audiences, we hope to help audiences make connections between music and other facets of their lives.

Featuring Presenters: Dr. Scott Beard, piano & Ms. Brooke Evers, voice

with:

Natalie Conte, Joe Regan & Melanie Regan: voice
Stephen Czarkowski: cello
Susan P. Carpenter & Daniel Miller: piano
Adam Booth, Dr. Mark Cantrell, Dr. Keith Alexander
And special guest, Dr. Suzanne Shipley: Spoken Work

Works to be Performed:
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): From Dichterliebe (The Poet’s Love), Op. 48
Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26
Widmung, Op. 25, No. 1
Träumerei (Dreaming), Fantasy Pieces, Op. 73
Selections from Mörike Leider & Italienisches Liederbuch by Hugo Wolf (1860-1903)
Selections from Rückert-Lieder by Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Dr. Scott Beard, Associate Professor of Music

Dr. Scott Beard is a nationally recognized pianist, teacher, clinician, author and recording artist. Recognized for his outstanding teaching abilities, he was named 2006 West Virginia Music Teacher of the Year and runner-up for West Virginia Professor of the Year in 2009. His students have been top prize winners in competitions at the state, regional, national and international level, including the Beethoven Society, Ithaca, Oberlin International, MTNA and National Symphony Concerto competitions. Concerts as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral soloist have taken him throughout the United States and to Canada, Croatia, France, Italy and Spain. Recent recital appearances include Weill Recital Hall, the Tenri Cultural Institute (NYC), the Polish, Belgian & Danish Embassies, the Russian Cultural Institute and numerous universities throughout the East Coast. He recently completed his second European tour, performing in Palermo, Nice, Marseille, and Barcelona. His concerts have been praised for their poetry, passion and innovative programming. Dr. Beard has published articles in several national publications, and his anthologies of ensemble music for piano are published by Alfred Publishing. He is currently Professor of Music and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies at Shepherd University (WV), as well as Acting Dean of Graduate Studies.
Ms. Brooke Evers, Soprano
Soprano Brooke Evers studied as a Fulbright Scholar in Austria, performing in Vienna, Berlin, and Milan before returning to D.C., where she has been heard as a soloist at the Kennedy Center, the Embassy of Austria, the National Cathedral, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Strathmore Mansion, and the Washington Arts Club. Brooke was the winner of the 2007 Vocal Arts Discovery Series Competition, a finalist in the 2008 American Bach Competition and Liederkranz Competition, and a semi-finalist in the New York Oratorio Society Competition. She has participated in the Ravinia Festival of Chicago, the Franz-Schubert-Institut in Baden-bei-Wien, and masterclasses of Elly Ameling, Renée Fleming, Wolfgang Holzmair and others. Brooke sings with the Washington Bach Consort and has appeared as a soloist with director J. Reilly Lewis. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Voice and German from Indiana University and her Master of Music from the University of Maryland, where she performed leading roles in Cimarosa’s Il matrimonio segreto and the workshop premier of Kirke Mechem’s The Newport Rivals as a member of the Maryland Opera Studio. Not limited to classical music, Brooke was recognized by the city of Baltimore as a semi-finalist in the 2008 Billie Holiday Competition for her jazz singing and recently performed the role of Maria in a concert production of The Sound of Music with the Vienna Choral Society. Brooke has also appeared as the soprano soloist for Elijah under the direction of Webster Rogers, soloist for the Brahms and Mozart Requiems with the Washington Summer Sings, and upcoming engagements include Charpentier’s Midnight Mass for Christmas with the New Dominion Chorale. An active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Brooke maintains a private studio and has also taught for the Washington Opera Discovery Camp for children. Information on Brooke’s future performances can be found at www.brookeevers.com.