Pfeiffer University to Host Visiting Composer Paul Basler October 19 and 20

The School of Humanities and Music Department at Pfeiffer University will host Visiting Composer Paul Basler on October 19 and 20, 2009 on the Misenheimer campus. Dr. Basler’s residency will feature a number of lectures, master classes, and concerts culminating in a Fall Concert by the Pfeiffer University Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir at 7 PM on Tuesday, October 20.

Paul Basler was a 1993-94 Fulbright Senior Lecturer in Music at Kenyatta University (Nairobi, Kenya). He is currently Professor of Music at the University of Florida where he teaches horn and composition. In 1995-96 he was named University of Florida Teacher of the Year. Dr. Basler taught in North Carolina as a Visiting Artist in Residence at Caldwell Community College and at Western Carolina University. He received his B.M. degree magna cum laude from the Florida State University, M.M., M.A. and D.M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University and has received teaching awards and citations from the University of Florida College of Fine Arts, Stony Brook University, Western Carolina University, Kenyatta University and the Kenya Office of the President/Permanent Music Commission. Dr. Basler is widely recognized as one of the most important instructors of horn in the United States, and his published textbooks on horn pedagogy and performance etudes are used by hundreds of schools of music and conservatories across the globe. He has also served as a board member and consultant to numerous national and international arts organizations and is a frequent guest lecturer at educational conferences worldwide.

As a performing artist on the Horn, Paul Basler maintains a busy performing schedule throughout the United States and abroad, having premiered over 200 works written for him in the past seven years. He also has received two American Cultural Affairs Specialist Grants from the U.S. Department of State and serves as Visiting Professor with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Culture and National Conservatory of Music.

One of the most performed composers of his generation, his music has been received with enthusiastic acclaim throughout the world, the New York Times describing his music as “virtuosic and highly athletic.” The recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council Composer's Fellowship and several National Endowment for the Arts Composer/Teacher grants, Basler's compositions have been performed throughout the world and recent compositions have received performances at Carnegie Hall, the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Tanglewood, the Spoleto Festival, Symphony Hall in Chicago, Kennedy Center, the National Theatres of the Dominican Republic and Kenya, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, the Aspen Music Festival, the Grand Teton Music Festival and in Shanghai by the Shanghai Philharmonic.

While at Pfeiffer, Dr. Basler will present at Cultural Hour lecture on the Music of Kenya, talk with music students about his compositions and musical inspirations, present a master class for horn students, and work with University student composers and ensembles.

The Fall Concert of the Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir will feature faculty soloists Rusty Smith, trumpet and Scott Bailey, trombone in a new work entitled Fandango by Joseph Turrin. Several works by Paul Basler will be performed by the Pfeiffer University Concert Choir, directed by Joe Judge, and the Wind Ensemble, directed by David Kirby.  Paul Basler will present insight into the works for the audience. The concert will be at 7 PM in the Stokes Community Room on the Misenheimer campus. The public in cordially invited to attend the Tuesday evening concert and any other events during the residency.

For a complete schedule of the Residency, visit www.pfeiffer.edu, or contact Dr. David Kirby at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

SCHEDULE
Monday, October 19:
10 AM Cultural Hour – The Music of Kenya – Henry Pfeiffer Chapel
12 PM lunch in Dining Hall
4 PM Horn Master  Class – Band Room
6-8 PM Dress Rehearsal with the Wind Ensemble- Stokes Community Room

Tuesday Oct. 19:
12:30 Dress Rehearsal with the Choir – Stokes Community Room
4:30 Music Colloqium – The Music of Paul Basler – finding inspiration from Appalachia to Kenya-Chapel
7 PM Band and Choir Concert-Stokes Community Room

To be scheduled:
Composition masterclass – TBA

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