The Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s Thursday Scholarship Series will continue Nov. 15 with an Intergalactic Piano Extravaganza. UGA piano faculty, along with students, guests and five grand pianos, will take the Hodgson Hall stage at 7:30 p.m.
From solo piano selections to piano duets to music for five pianos, the UGA piano faculty and students will present selections by favorite composers from Bach to John Williams, with much of the program relating to the “stars.” Acting as master of ceremonies, Pete Jutras, professor of piano and associate director for research and graduate studies, will guide the audience through the cosmos throughout the evening.
“Hearing five pianos played together is a rare treat for the performers and audience alike. At one point, you’ll experience the majesty of 100 fingers (10 players) all performing at the same time,” said Martha Thomas, the Despy Karlas Professor of Piano and associate director for undergraduate programs at the School of Music. She said that audiences also can look forward to a musical battle ensuing at one point of the night.
Many guests will be joining the extravaganza, including DMA percussionist Denis Petrunin, members of the UGA string faculty and their students, and the Dunamis Duo, which includes UGA piano graduate Soojung Jeon and DMA pianist Yoonsook Song.
“The ‘intergalactic’ theme for this concert reflects all of the musical selections on the program. We wanted to present music that is truly out of this world,” Thomas said.
Tickets for the family-friendly concert are $20 for adults and $6 for students and children. They can be purchased online at pac.uga.edu or by calling the Performing Arts Center at 706-542-4400. All proceeds go directly to supporting student scholarships. For those unable to attend the concert, live streaming will be available online at music.uga.edu/live-streaming.
