Chorus of events at Metro
by Chelsy Klein
The Metropolitan

-Photo by William C. Moore Thomas Kielmeyer, a choral music major at Metro, practices the violin during a string techniques class on Sept. 23.

The stage is set for an exciting semester of musical performances sponsored by the Metro State Music Dept.

Walter L. Barr, chair of the music department, and his well-trained staff of music professors, have arranged for Metro to host some of the state’s most exciting musical events. Metro will be host to many professional musicians including guitarist Paul Galbraith, who will be performing at 7:30 on Sept. 23 at the King Center. Galbraith was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998 for his all-Bach CD; but that’s not the only thing that makes his appearance at Metro special. Galbraith plays the guitar, but this is no ordinary guitar: it is an eight-string unit that rests on a metal endpin, similar to that of a cello.

The music department has not forgotten about the students: There are student recitals at 2 p.m. every Monday and larger recital performances, such as the senior recital of Jennifer Petrie, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 1.

Among the highlights of the music department’s schedule are their annual celebrations. The celebrations range from a piano celebration to a full-bore jazz celebration in April in which there are three full days of jazz performances from both students and professionals alike. Barr suggested there might be a special surprise guest coming for the third annual jazz celebration. He explained that the celebrations are a way for Metro to reach out to the community and get their involvement and support.

For example, the choral celebration has tentatively gathered twelve choirs from local public schools to participate. The celebrations include clinics, workshops and performances by the staff and students, as well as professional musicians.

“Rather than just going it alone, and trying to do something just simply for only our students and using just that kind of base, we’re expanding the base to create these collaborations and to reach out into the community, which certainly parallels the mission and the role of what Metro is about,” said Barr.

Barr explained that there are a lot of terrific performances in-between the celebrations and he encourages all to come and see. He said that while most performances are free to the general public, there are some that the public will have to pay to see. Students with their IDs will still get free admission.

Barr beamed with pride when he spoke about his staff of professors and all of their accomplishments.

“The Metro Music Department is the only department of music in the state that has three faculty members in the 2002 and 2003 “Who’s Who of Jazz.” No other institution has that.” Those distinguished professors are: Ron Miles, Dr. Fred Hess, and Hugh Regan.

Barr also spoke of Dr. Tamara Goldstein who helps to set up the piano celebration here at Metro, and is also responsible for bringing musicians together for the Aspen Summer Music Festival. Barr made sure to mention that this is a very prestigious position, which includes working with artists from all around the world, including Julliard.

When asked about how the budget cuts have affected the music department, Barr said that they, like all of the other departments, have felt the squeeze, but Metro’s administration, including the Dean and the Provost, have been supportive. He said that the most devastating cut came in the form of scholarship reductions. “We’re hopeful that (the budget cuts) get better – quickly.”

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