School of Music’s Faculty Artist Series showcases faculty talent

Old and new faculty members of UA’s Fred Fox School of Music came together to present the “Chamber Music Party” recital, featuring violinist Timothy Kantor. on Wednesday, April 12, at 7 p.m., as part of the school’s Faculty Artist Series.

The recital featured three main performances, including the Sergei Prokofiev Sonata for “Two Violins,” the Robert Schumann piece played in a piano quartet in E-flat major and the Igor Stravinsky Suite, the “Soldier’s Tale.”

Kantor, one of the newest professors with the School of Music, was featured as one of the leading violinists in the faculty show.

Kantor has had an extraordinary caliber of musical experience, such as being part of the Afiara Quartet in Toronto, and has also collaborated with other well-known artists, such as scratch DJ Kid Koala and Academy Award-nominated producer K.K. Barrett.

“The most important thing I’d like for students to take away is how crucial it is for music students to see lots of different performances going into their degrees and careers,” Kantor said. “It’s also a great opportunity for students to see these pieces being performed live.”

Kantor said he’s been playing violin all his life and he’s always enjoyed teaching.

“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be working here and doing what I love here at the UA,” Kantor said.

Jackie Glazier, an assistant professor in the School of Music and a professional clarinet player, also played in the Chamber Music Party event. As a clarinet player, Glazier performed “The Solider’s Tale” piece alongside five other faculty artists, such as William Dietz (bassoon), Ryan Darke (trumpet), Moisés Paiewonsky (trombone), Philip Alejo (double bass) and Morris Palter (percussion).

According to Glazier, the performance mainly showcased the newest faculty members of the School of Music.

“It’s always nice to come together and have music as our universal language,” Glazier said. “To put these particular pieces together in a very short amount of time is very challenging but worth performing.”

The Faculty Artist Series performances occur usually once a month, depending on the flexibility of the professors. The shows are free and open to all UA students and faculty. It’s a tradition that has been treasured at the School of Music for many semesters.

“For most students studying to be performers, it’s valuable to see your own mentors perform and to give yourself exposure to great new repertoire,” Glazier said. “It’s great seeing something live on campus and doing the pieces without the need of a conductor.”

When the faculty are not teaching, many professors also showcase their talents outside the UA. The majority of the performers in the Faculty Artist Series balance both teaching and performing their art.

“It’s a really interesting balance,” Glazier said. “Performing makes me a better teacher, and teaching makes me a better performer. I’m doing what I’m preparing my students to do in the future, and both occupations go hand-in-hand.”

Palter, a visiting associate professor in the School of Music, played in the same piece as Glazier during Wednesday’s performance.

“The more active you are as a musician, the more you get to play, the more places you get to see and the more people you meet, which is something that evolves through your career as a musician,” Palter said.

Palter said music concerts happen at the UA nearly twice a week.

“Art is our culture here, and there is so much of it going on campus, which is so fulfilling as a professor to see,” Palter said.

Theodore Buchholz, a cellist and assistant professor in the School of Music, played in the Robert Schumann piano quartet piece on Wednesday night.

“Each faculty member will have a recital once a year, but we find ourselves playing in each other’s recitals,” Buchholz said. “It’s really rewarding to collaborate all the time with talented musicians.”

Buchholz also had kind words to say about Kantor prior to the performance on Wednesday night:

“He is an extraordinary chamber musician, and he has a way of playing that is very engaging with how he communicates the music to an audience,” Buchholz said.

While the Chamber Music Party recital may be over after Wednesday night, there are numerous opportunities to get involved on campus and with the School of Music. With recitals and performances constantly in production, Wildcats can’t miss their opportunity on free and vibrant classical concerts.

For more information on the latest of the Fred Fox School of Music events, please visit its website.

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