Department of Music - Lipscomb University

Department of Music

The Music of David Wendell Guion: Cowboy Composer

Dr. Kay Williams, piano
Thursday, Jan. 26
5 p.m., Ward Hall

The Department of Music invites you to a recital of and lecture on music by Texas composer David Wendell Guion. Abilene Christian University Professor of Piano Kay Williams, will perform and discuss Guion's music in the context of American isolationism between the World Wars. Williams will also explain the music’s waning popularity following World War II.

Guion’s pieces could be labeled as nationalistic music because they draw upon the music of the American West and the African-American spirituals for their inspiration. Pieces like Turkey in The Straw and Home on the Range, made David Guion famous between World War I and II. America had entered an isolationist period – a time of searching for what it meant to be an American. Guion’s music spoke to the need to return to cultural roots.

Concerts are open to the public and free unless noted. Performances are subject to change. For additional information, contact the Lipscomb University Department of Music at 1.800.333.4358, ext. 5932 or 615.966.5932.

Coming Events

2012-2013 Scholarship Auditions

Students interested in auditioning for scholarships for fall 2012 may plan to attend one of the audition dates, or contact the department directly to schedule an individual audition appointment (615-966-5929). Auditions will be held on Saturday February 11, 2012, and Saturday, February 25, 2012. The Department of Music offers scholarships for music majors and minors, and on a more limited basis for instrumental and choral ensemble participants. Follow these links for information about audition scheduling or to learn about audition guidelines.

Department of Music News Highlights

Three Lipscomb students placed first, second and third at the Music Teachers National Association composition contest in November. Julian Calvin's "Miniatures for Flute & Piano" won first place. Zac Swann's "String Quartet No. 2" won second place, and Alyssa Dunne's "Pater Noster" won third place.

The judges were:
Samuel Zyman, The Juilliard School
Oscar Bettiso, The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University
Don Freund, Indiana University

2012 Preparatory Piano Competition Scheduled for March 3, 2012

This year's Nashville Piano Achievement Competition is sheduled for March 3 at the McMeen Music Center on the Lipscomb University Campus; in 2011 this event hosted over fifty students along with their families and teachers. NPAC is a structured program for preparatory piano students to learn and perform quality literature, and to be rewarded for excellence in performance. The competition was founded and managed for many years by several of Nashville's excellent private piano teachers. In 2011 the Lipscomb University Music Department assumed sponsorship and directorship of the program, with Dr. Jerome Reed serving as NPAC President and Ms. Donna King serving as Competition Chair.