Music faculty unite for spring concert

Katharine Arthur’s father flew in from Windsor, Ontario, Canada to see her perform this weekend at Cal Poly.

But she’s no student.

In a unique ensemble, the Cal Poly music faculty is banding together to present “Spring Bouquet of Chamber Music” at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Spanos Theatre.

The recital features several faculty members: Katherine Arthur, soprano; Paul Severtson, violin; James Edwards, lute; Jeanne Shumway, cello; Clifton Swanson, bass; Caroline Tobin, clarinet; Keith Snell,trumpet; David Arrivee, harpsichord; and Susan Azaret Davies, piano. Also performing is violinist Brynn Albanese, a string coach for the music department.

Arthur, who teaches performance and private voice lessons and organized the concert, came up with the idea of a faculty performance last year, and received an incredible response from her colleagues. In her four years at Cal Poly, she hasn’t heard of anything similar.

“It’s so unique in that it is the first time I’ve seen so many faculty members in one performance,” she said.

Arthur explained the special relationship she another music department faculty share with their students. Meeting for private lessons once every week for four years, creates a close bond between student and professor.

This concert offers an opportunity for students to see their professors “practicing what they preach.”

“It is important for the music faculty to perform together so that our students can see us ‘in action’ and not just talking about music,” said Swanson, music department professor emeritus and a performer in the concert.

The program is diverse, including music extending from the early Baroque period to 20th century American, explained Swanson. Featured are lute songs by Thomas Campion, “Su le Sponde del Tebro” by Alessandro Scarlatti, “Der Hind auf den Felsen” by Franz Schubert, and songs by Charles Ives. Students, faculty and community members alike are invited to attend.

“There is nothing more enriching than exposure to positive creativity in any genre,” Snell said.

“(Attendees) will not be disappointed by the beauty of the music that has been selected for this recital,” he added. “I guarantee that they will be absolutely thrilled by the virtuosity of the other artists with whom I am honored to perform with on this event.”

Though this is the first time the faculty is performing together, Arthur hopes the concert is only the beginning of a continuing tradition.

Tickets, $6 for students and senior citizens, $10 for the public, are on sale at the Performing Arts Ticket Office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. They may also be ordered by calling SLO-ARTS (756-2787) or visiting www.pacslo.org.

Though performing for their students leaves professors somewhat vulnerable, Arthur is looking forward to it.

“Students can see that we are human,” she said, “We make mistakes, but here we are doing what we love to do.”