RVCC Music Faculty Recital Awes Audience

Roaring applause concluded Raritan Valley Community College's annual music faculty recital on February 27^th.

About 50 people filled the Welpe Theatre as most of the music faculty performed live for the community.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department hosts several performances each semester. Most feature student performances. But according to Tony Strong, organizer of most events, it is important for the instructors to perform to establish and keep an intimate relationship with students and the community.

Strong said that RVCC students should know, “our programs are very rigorous and they can have confidence to study with great faculty and probably get a very good foundation for continuing education at conservatories or four year schools.”

The performers played music styles from classical to jazz and incorporated many instruments. Though most pieces were improvisations, it seemed as if everyone on stage had been playing together for years.

Strong opened the concert with a prelude by Bach. John Schiel followed playing a solo piano sonata by the Romantic era composer Franz Schubert.

Larry Barbee, John Loehrke, and Steve Hudson then took the stage for an ensemble performance of an original piece by Barbee. The former laid out a warming progression on guitar. Loehrke and Hudson joined in with bass and piano, respectively.

Barbee began a round of improvisations with a flurry of notes from his guitar. Hudson took over with a melodic solo of his own. Everyone in the audience responded with cheers.

All remained on the stage to play a piece written by Hudson. His song blended multiple music styles.

Margaret Nelson then played into the intermission with “Toccata” by the Russian composer Khachaturian.

Michael Eckhart performed a solo after the intermission. His original composition consisted of the use of synthesizers to create the semblance of a multi-instrument piece.

To honor the 200^th anniversary of German composer Robert Schumann, Strong played two of his pieces. The solo piano performance left the audience in awe.

Loehrke, Barbee, and Hudson took the stage together again to end the concert with an ensemble act. The group performed “Alone Together”, a song from a 1930's broadway play and a staple of jazz. All of the audience was standing and applauding the musicians at the end.

VAPA hopes to encourage more students to become both aware and involved with the arts program at RVCC.

Those interested in seeing hosted events should visit the Visual and Performing Arts page on the RVCC website.

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