Dr. Gail Levinsky, a professor of music at Susquehanna University, performed in the Rowan University Spotlight Series in Boyd Recital Hall at 7:30 pm on Feb 5.
The event began with a concert featuring three pieces performed on alto saxophone by Levinsky. Following a brief intermission, a masterclass in alto saxophone began with two students, Jay Fielding and Jack Crawford, performing and receiving notes on their performances from Levinsky.
The first song in the concert, “Cover Us With Song” by Denise Ondisko with words by Robert Frost, was a contemporary piece with nature sounds and a voice-over of the poem backing the saxophone.
The second song in the concert, “Komorebi: tree escape light,” by Miho Sasaki, had three parts titled “Filter,” “Earth Bed,” and “Scatter.”
The final piece in the concert performed by Levinsky was “Quiet Hearts: A Kaddish” by Marilyn Shrude, a song of quiet grief and remembrance. Levinsky told a story of personal grief and asked audience members to reflect on those they are grieving as well.
Antonio Torres, a freshman music education major with a minor in jazz performance, reflected on the first part of the performance. Torres thinks more of Rowan’s student body should take advantage of the free concert tickets.
“I think it’s a really good experience, especially for people that don’t really listen to music as much. I think they’ll really enjoy things like that,” said Torres.
Aedan Bonner is a senior music and mathematics major who was an audience member for the performance, as well.
“Tonight was incredible. I’m always a big fan of contemporary saxophone. I grew up playing saxophone for the longest time. So just to hear it in this medium was really impressive,” said Bonner.
Bonner continued on about how great some of the visiting performers are.
“We’re always having tons of great music opportunities and performance opportunities around this building [Wilson Hall]. I’d love to see more of Rowan’s community pop out to things like this,” said Bonner.
Dr. Levinsky then began the masterclass, beginning with Jay Fielding, who performed an excerpt from “Sonata, Mvt. 1- Allegro” by Lawson Lunde. Dr. Levinsky then gave feedback and tips to Fielding.
The second and final masterclass, with Jack Crawford performing an excerpt from “Fantaisie sur un thème originale” by Jules Demerssemen. Dr. Levinsky also gave subsequent feedback to Crawford on the piece.
Gail Levinsky then opened the room for questions. When asked what one idea she could tell students about the arts, she discussed how the arts and the subsequent funding for them had become a political objective in the Trump administration, which had come in the form of the radical changes to the Kennedy Center.
“The first word that comes to my mind is imperative or required. There’s no way of getting around it; maybe it is political. No way of getting around this. We’re scared. If the nation’s premier artist venue, which houses the national symphony in an instant, is gone,” said Levinsky.
Levinsky continued discussing the dire need for the arts and general support for the arts now, more than ever.
“The impact of that and the musicians it has affected, let alone the pulling of music out of schools because of financial, or the arts in general. I think your generation is going to have to raise your hand and demand and assist,” said Levinsky.
Jay Fielding is a sophomore music education major with the primary instrument being the alto saxophone, who performed the first section of the masterclass.
“I thought Dr. Levinsky was a great teacher, and she taught me a lot of great techniques that I’m really gonna put into use and practice to make sure the piece gets better,” said Fielding.
With a Rowan ID, students are able to see any concert for free, including the 56th Annual Jazz Festival Concert on Feb. 13.
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