John Bailey, Glenn Korff School of Music professor of flute, will present his faculty recital, “Something Old, Something New,” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 in Westbrook Recital Hall, Room 119.
The concert is free and open to the public. It will also be live webcast.
Bailey will be joined on three pieces by Christopher Marks, fortepiano and piano, and on one piece with Suna Gunther, soprano.
“My recital contains some standards in the flute repertoire, plus a world premiere,” Bailey said. “All are melodic, interesting works, and the entire program lasts about an hour.”
The program will include the world premiere of Kurt Knecht’s “Sonata for flute and piano.” Knecht received his Doctor of Musical Arts in composition in 2009 from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and is an active performer and composer in Kansas City. His Doctor of Musical Arts document, “Missa Prolationem,” won the Folsom prize for the most outstanding doctoral dissertation in the University of Nebraska system. He received his Bachelor of Music in piano performance and theory from the University of Tampa and the Master of Music in composition from Southern Methodist University.
“I really enjoyed playing his chamber work ‘Time and the River’ for nine players with my fellow Glenn Korff School of Music faculty members a few years ago and asked Kurt if he would consider writing something for flute,” Bailey said. “The outer movements of his brand-new sonata are quite rhythmic and technically challenging for both flutist and pianist, the final movement being influenced by Indian ‘table’ patterns. The central movement is a tranquil Nocturne and a joy to play.”
Bailey is the Richard H. Larson Distinguished Professor of Music (flute) and a member of the Moran Woodwind Quintet, the resident faculty quintet in the Glenn Korff School of Music. He is principal flutist with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra. He is also an active recitalist, lecturer and masterclass teacher. He was president of the National Flute Association in 2003-2004. Learn more about Bailey here.
Marks is professor of music in organ and associate dean of the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. With his series of recordings of music by Seth Bingham and his many performances on historic American instruments, Marks has gained a reputation as an expert in American organ music old and new. Learn more about Marks here.
Gunther is assistant professor of music in voice. She began her applied voice teaching career at Berea College in Kentucky while simultaneously serving as coach and pianst at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. She has also taught at the University of North Dakota and the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. She joined the Glenn Korff School of Music faculty in 2021. As a performer, she spent the past decade as a “cultural ambassador” of the U.S. State Department. Learn more about Gunther here.
