The Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music at Georgia Southern University wants the audience to take a musical journey with them at they present “Piano in the Arts, Travels in Time” featuring Gretsch School of Music Faculty Members, Larisa Elisha, violin and Karla Rocker, Piano.
“I hope the audience enjoys variety of different music and can come to appreciate music they may not have ever heard before. Hopefully, the listeners will be inspired to come to more concerts and gain a deeper appreciation for music and the arts,” said Dr. Benjamin Warsaw, Assistant Professor and Artistic Director of Piano in the Arts.
This is their 9th season of the annual series Piano in the Arts. The series is committed to showcasing the versatility of the piano through producing a series of distinctive concerts that encompass many genres of music.
“Selecting repertoire for a program can be a complex process. I believe it is important to showcase the performer in different genres and to choose pieces that the audience will enjoy listening to as much as the performer will enjoy performing them. The performer wants to show musical highs and lows and a variety of dynamics and moods,” said Warsaw.
Ranging from classical and jazz to the American Songbook, Piano in the Arts is devoted to providing world-class concert performances as well as learning opportunities for Georgia Southern students outside of the traditional classroom.
“We have had great success with student engagement and learning through our concerts. Typically, each performer will give a class prior to the performance in which the students have an opportunity to ask questions and engage with the artists in a casual setting,” said Warsaw.
Travels in Time will feature international violinist, Larisa Elisha, who is a soloist, chamber musician and pedagogue, having performed and taught extensively throughout Russia, Europe, Scandinavia, Taiwan, Lithuania, Israel and U.S.. Elisha will be accompanied by pianist, Karla Rocker.
The learning outcome of the series is to increase students’ knowledge in a variety of different genres and to connect with audience members of all ages.
Warsaw said, “It is the responsibility of all musicians and teachers to keep the Arts relevant and alive. The nice thing is, the music sells itself, we just must be agents to welcome the listener to the music. Music can bring peace, happiness, and evoke an array of emotions. As the Hamilton Brothers say, “music makes the world go round.”
The Travels in Time performance happens Thursday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University in the Fine Arts Auditorium Tickets can be purchased by calling (912) 344-2801, visiting the website georgiasouthern.edu/armstrongtickets or by visiting the Fine Arts Box Office weekdays between noon and 3:00pm in Fine Arts Hall.
