Rock music has woven its way into the once-classic orchestral style with electrified instruments to create a new symphonic rock sound.
David Wallace, a faculty member of The Juilliard School and a Senior Teaching Artist at the New York Philharmonic, was weary of the electrified violin and viola at first, but after meeting Mark Wood of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, he changed his mind.
Wallace will be bringing his eclectic music to Ohio University for a performance Friday evening, as well as to Saturday’s 6th Annual String Fling.
The String Fling was created by Elizabeth Braun, director of the Athens Community Music School and a professor of music education at OU, as an event for both community members and music majors to gain experience working with alternative string styles with the help of a guest artist.
“We try to open up their minds and provide opportunities to experience new playing styles,” Braun said. “So many of us associate string instruments with classic music, but there is so much more to it.”
This weekend, Wallace will be performing a variety of his own music, but students will also have an opportunity to learn and perform with him, said Christina McGann, an artist in residence and chamber music coach at OU.
“I think String Fling covers a wide range of abilities, from technique processes to performance styles,” McGann said. “What’s so great is that at the end of the day, everyone has a chance to see what everyone else has been up to all day when they all perform together.”
The musical world is a very rich and eclectic place where musicians have an opportunity to become versatile instead of being limited by certain types of music, Wallace said.
“I am a firm believer that creativity is a birthright, and you have to be able to implement that,” he said. “It’s not the easiest place to begin, but people have so many traditions at their fingertips to improvise and create with. There is room to change.”
Lauretta Werner, president of the OU chapter of American String Teachers Association and a sophomore studying music performance, said it’s important for students to see how someone can pursue a career based not only on one talent, but the ability to involve an audience.
“He doesn’t just play a variety of instruments or compose, he even wrote a book on engaging the audience,” Werner said. “It’s good for us students to see that we can more than just music.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Visiting Artist Recital featuring Dr. David Wallace
WHAT: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Glidden Recital Hall
ADMISSION: Free
WHAT: String Fling Performance
WHEN: Saturday at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Glidden 101
ADMISSION: Free
