The Redfern Arts Center’s Alumni Recital Hall hosted the Faculty Woodwind Recital on Sunday, April 12, an annual recital performed by music staff at Keene State.
The performance involved a variety of different woodwind instruments, such as Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon and more.
While many of the songs weren’t named, there was a mix of tunes created by the faculty and the performers as well as pre-made music covered with woodwind instruments.
Robin Matathias, a flute professor as well as an adjunct faculty in the Environmental Studies Department, spoke about the different instruments used for the performance.
“You have such a variety of instruments and styles,” Matathias said. “There’s oboe and English horn, saxophone, clarinet, flute and piano. All different styles of music. I think it makes it interesting, and hopefully something people enjoy.”
The recital featured songs playing along to a spoken word poem, a song from a music-only performance styled after Romeo and Juliet and an alumni-written piece about a childhood home performed by the alumni’s parents.
Dr. Megan Dillon, professor of saxophone and a performer in the recital, spoke about the process of working on a piece that utilized electronics and a second piece that followed in more of an aria style.
“It’s a pre-recorded accompaniment, and so I have to really fit into that,” Dillon said. “There was a lot of practice with the metronome and then practice with the recording. The process with my other piece was a little more typical. It’s with piano and it’s very lyrical.”
Dillon also spoke highly about working with the pianist who accompanied her on the aria piece.
“My favorite part about the process has been playing with Kirsten, the pianist. I haven’t played with her before, so it was nice meeting her. She’s a wonderful musician, and putting together the piece we were playing was emotional,” said Dillon. “I think that’s my favorite part because it’s collaborative, whereas the other piece is just me.”
Dillon wasn’t the only one to speak highly of the collaborative process. Matathias also spoke about the joy of collaborating with the other people involved in the performance.
“My favorite part is collaborating with such talented people,” Matathias said. “I consider it a real perk of this job that I get to play music with some incredibly talented musicians. That’s what I always look forward to the most.”
Audience members, such as String Coordinator Joe Darby, spoke highly of the show and suggested that others come to watch during the next year.
“It was a wonderful recital–a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon,” Darby said. “I loved the very first piece, which was the duet by Robert Mashinsky, and I liked the clarinet sonata at the end by Copland. I would absolutely suggest this show. It’s a great addition to our faculty recital series.”
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