The Texas Tech University School of Music and the Viola Studio of Kimberly Sparr, assistant professor of viola, will host the first Viola Rodeo event on Saturday (Oct. 28) and Sunday (Oct. 29) at Hemmle Recital Hall. Student and Lubbock community violists and viola enthusiasts will collaborate for a weekend of performances and fellowship opportunities. The events are free and open to the public.
Activities for Saturday include a masterclass and recital featuring guest artist Jason Bonham, the principal violist of the Las Vegas Philharmonic. The masterclass will begin at 10 a.m. and the performance will begin at 2 p.m. The recital also will feature Sparr and collaborative pieces with Texas Tech pianists Tatiana Mann and Susan Wass.
A viola ensemble “play-in” beginning at 4 p.m. will wrap up Saturday’s events. Viola players and any other interested performers are invited to join in music that will be presented at the Viola Studio’s recital on Sunday.
Activities for Sunday include a masterclass presented by Sparr at 10 a.m., followed by a viola ensemble rehearsal at 1 p.m. and the Viola Studio’s recital at 2 p.m.
The Studio’s program will consist of various combinations of violas performing both with and without keyboard accompaniment. Sparr will collaborate with faculty colleagues Blair Williams, assistant professor of music education, and Mark Morton, associate professor of double bass.
Small viola ensembles will perform an arrangement of Franz Schubert’s “Der Erlkönig,” an abstract John Cage work entitled “Dream,” and Jeremy Cohen’s “Cowperson’s Lament” to fit the rodeo theme. Sparr and top Viola Studio students will close the performance with York Bowen’s “Fantasie for Four Violas.”
CONTACT: Kimberly Sparr, assistant professor of viola, School of Music, Texas Tech University, (806) 834-1758 or k.sparr@ttu.edu
(News release from Texas Tech University)
