‘On The Verge’ presents Blair McMillen

September 11, 2014

Georgia Southern University’s Department of Music presents contemporary pianist Blair McMillen as the first guest artist this year for its On the Verge concert series. McMillen will perform in the Carol A. Carter Recital Hall of the University’s Foy Building on Wednesday, October 1, at 7:30 p.m. after presenting a masterclass in the Recital Hall at 1:25 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

At Georgia Southern, Blair will present his “Piano 20/21” concert, a casual hour-long journey through some of the trends in 20^th and 21^st Century piano music, including the influence of jazz and improvisation in modern recital music. During the concert, Blair will play, demonstrate, and discuss music by Aaron Copland, Annie Gosfield, John Cage, Marco Stroppa, György Ligeti, Fred Hersch, and Ray Charles, among others.

The New York Times has described McMillen as “riveting,” “prodigiously accomplished and exciting” and as one of piano’s “brilliant stars.” McMillen is known for his imaginative and daring style and has premiered hundreds of works as a soloist and with ensembles. He constantly collaborates with composers and artists of other genres in commissioning woks that stretch the boundaries of the piano and the traditional recital format.

“We are so pleased to bring Blair McMillen to campus,” said Martin Gendelman, DMA, coordinator of On the Verge. “McMillen has preformed with the New York Philharmonic and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and at Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center, but Georgia Southern students and members of the community will be able to hear this acclaimed contemporary pianist without leaving Statesboro!”

Gendelman created the On the Verge concert series to introduce local audience members to music they might not otherwise hear. The series is made possible through the support of the Campus Life Enrichment Committee. For more information, email ontheverge@georgiasouthern.edu.

The Department of Music is housed in the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Georgia Southern’s College of the Creative Mind. CLASS prepares its students to achieve academic excellence, develop their analytical skills, enhance their creativity, and embrace their responsibilities as citizens of their communities, nations, and world. For more information, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/class.