JOHNSON CITY (Sept. 17, 2021) — Dr. Heather Killmeyer, associate professor of double reeds in the East Tennessee State University Department of Music, will present a faculty recital, described as a musical celebration of renewal and joy, on Friday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m., in the Martin Center for the Arts Powell Recital Hall.
The free program will feature the exuberant “Concertino” of Brazilian composer Brenno Blauth; Telemann’s emotionally complex “Fantasia in G Minor”; I’lana Cotton’s exotic “Night Crossing,” featuring the unusual combination of English horn, bass clarinet and piano; and the rollicking “Bebop Tango” by jazz composer David Gordon.
Performing those pieces along with Killmeyer will be Dr. Kate Stubbs, adjunct piano faculty, and Lisa Perry, assistant professor of clarinet. Perry will play bass clarinet on Cotton’s “Night Crossing,” while Stubbs will play the piano reduction for Brazilian composer Blauth’s “Concertino,” originally written for oboe and strings.
“I'm very thrilled to be able to perform after a yearlong hiatus due to COVID,” said Dr. Killmeyer. “I selected these pieces because they are all cheery and optimistic in character, or feature minor sections that resolve to hopeful and upbeat themes. And I think we could all use some optimism and reminders that there is eventually a calm after the storm.”
While the performance is free and open to the public, donations will be accepted for Reed Day 2022, an annual recruiting event for the ETSU Department of Music that is held in February.
An opportunity for oboists, bassoonists, clarinetists and saxophonists of all ages to come to the ETSU campus for a day of performances, clinics, and masterclasses, Reed Day 2022 will feature the Atlantic Reed Consort as guest artists and clinicians.
“I believe this will be the first time ETSU has hosted a reed quintet ensemble,” Killmeyer said. “They are relatively new – they have only existed for the past 30 years or so, so not very long in the classical music world – and consist of oboe, bassoon, saxophone, clarinet, and bass clarinet. It has a unique sound and we're very excited to have them work with our students.”
For more information, contact the Department of Music at 423-439-4276 or music@etsu.edu. For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at 423-439-8346.