Music enthusiasts should be sure to attend the cello performance by Matt Haimovitz this Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Sage Center for the Arts.
Young but widely known, Haimovitz has been invited to share his talent on Hillsdale College’s campus as part of the professional artist series, a series that seeks to expose the community to good music. Sometimes over a year in advance, the program selects, invites, and pays professional artists to perform at the school.
Associate Professor of Music James Holleman said Haimovitz was “young and very experimental.” He described his practice of crossing classical styles with jazz, rock, and modern music.
“We’re not quite sure what we’re going to get on Saturday. The program says pieces will be announced from stage. It’s going to be very interesting; it is not going to be your grandpa’s cello recital,” Holleman said.
“[Haimovitz] is world-class musician,” he continued, “It is a great opportunity to get exposed to this; it is going to be different and interesting, and possibly challenging for the listener.”
It is not just a visiting artist that brings us more modern music. Holleman referred to Hillsdale students as “very open” to a more modern approach to music.
“Elliot Gaiser arranged last year Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen,” Holleman said. “One of our quartets did a metal rock arrangement, so the students are actually crossing borders and having kind of a fusion of different styles. I think they are going to be very excited about this.”
Sharon Barrett, a fifth year senior with a music major, looks forward to the concert.
“I always enjoy a professional artist series,” Barrett said. “ As a vocalist, I enjoy going to hear instrumentalists because it gives me the opportunity to just enjoy their music.”
In addition to the concert he will be giving, Haimovitz will be teaching two master classes for Hillsdale’s cello students. These master classes give students a chance to play their music for the professional artist and receive constructive feedback on their technique and musicality.
The first master class is scheduled for Friday at 4 pm and will provide feedback to students on a selection of traditional cello music, while Saturday’s master class will be reserved for the more modern pieces.
Jennifer Franklund, a junior and music major, will be attending the Friday master class.
“I’m looking forward to the master class because I always enjoy learning from different teachers,” Franklund said.
Victoria Coe, a junior and music major, also plans to attend the first master class.
“I want to hear how he helps the concerto competitors,” Coe said.
Students are grateful that the Professional Artist Series allows them the opportunity to interact with and learn from professionals within their field of interest.
“I don’t think there is another time in our lives we’ll get to see so many professional top shelf artists for free,” Coe said.
