Our visiting artists often give a master class while in town. Students benefit performing before an audience and receiving instruction from these renowned pianists. However, they are not the only ones who benefit; the audience also gains much. In addition to enjoying great music in an intimate setting, the audience hears the artist talk about his or her life and career, gains insights into the music and composer being studied, and watches in rapt attention as the artist helps students achieve new heights in their playing.

At our last master class in March, Simon Trpčeski enthralled students and the audience with his energy, vivacity, and passion for the music, demonstrating at the piano, making gestures, and urging students to try various approaches. The performers in this master class were Alex Lancaster, playing Schubert’s Moment Musicale #1, Cassie Simpson playing Liszt’s Petrarch Sonnet #104, and Bryson Skaar playing Liszt’s Concert Etude: Forest Murmurs.

There is another COPI master class coming up, and we’d love to see you there. Jon Kimura Parker will give a master class on Saturday May 2 at 3:00 PM in Benton Hall Rm 303 on the OSU campus. Admission is free.

Kathryn Louderback, a piano major at OSU, will perform Two Pieces from Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev, and Michael Gu, a 5th grader at Ashbrook Independent School, will perform Chopin Impromptu in A flat major and Prokofiev Etude, Op 2, no. 4.

Thanks to Havilah Green for these photos from Trpčeski’s master class.

~Bonnie Esbensen