The Gathering Piano Festival
Music of the Romantic Era
Enjoy this collaborative festival.
The Gathering of piano teaching organizations across Northeast Wisconsin presents its first collaborative festival which will be held on November 5, 2022 at the Weidner on the University of Wisconsin Green Bay campus. We welcome teachers and students of all ages and ability levels to join us in a celebration of piano music!
Join Us to Play
All participants will have the chance to play a piece of Romantic music on the main stage at the Weidner. Piano faculty from Lawrence University, UW-Green Bay, St. Norbert College, the University of Minnesota and Arizona State University will present masterclasses and workshops will be held throughout the day. Bösendorfer Artist Baruch Meir will play an evening recital and legendary pianist Ruth Slenczynska will join us via Zoom for a discussion of the music of Chopin. Registration is free and all are welcome.
- Priority registration deadline: October 7, 2022
- Late registration deadline: October 19, 2022
Guest Artists & Presenters
Meet the guest artists and presenters for this year's event.
Registration
Sign up to perform in Cofrin Family Hall or be considered as a performer for a workshop or masterclass.
Guest Artists & Presenters
The Gathering will feature several guest artists and presenters. Additional artists and presenters as well as additional information about each will be added to this page as they are confirmed. Currently, the following are confirmed:
- Baruch Meir (Arizona State University) will play the evening recital and lead a masterclass. Faculty page at https://search.asu.edu/profile/17179.
- Cathy Kautsky (Lawrence University) will teach a masterclass on storytelling in the music of Robert Schumann. Faculty page at http://faculty.lawrence.edu/kautskyc/
- Diana Shapiro (University of Minnesota, Duluth) will teach a masterclass on rubato in Romantic music. Faculty page at https://cahss.d.umn.edu/faculty-staff/dr-diana-shapiro
- Justin Krueger (St. Norbert College): topic TBD. https://www.snc.edu/academics/faculty/justin.krueger.html
- Tricia Marton (University of Wisconsin, Green Bay) will present on music by under-represented composers. Faculty page at https://www.uwgb.edu/directory/people/tricia-marton/
- Michael Rector (University of Wisconsin, Green Bay): topic TBD. Faculty page at https://www.uwgb.edu/directory/people/rectorm/
Schedule & Information
.jpg)
Romantic Theme
19th century music is still the heart of the piano repertoire. Participants can perform Romantic music - or later music written in the Romantic style - and learn about it in workshops, masterclasses and presentations. The day will culminate in a recital of Romantic music played by Bösendorfer artist Baruch Meir on the Weidner's Imperial concert grand.
Participate
Students of all levels will have the chance to perform on the main stage - the Weidner's Cofrin Family Hall. For a chance to work with ourguest artists in a masterclass or a workshop, please fill out the registration form; both teachers and students are welcome to participate. If you're looking for a less formal way to hone your piano skills, our "Ask a Pianist" booth will be staffed throughout the day. Please drop by with a question!
Special Guest: Ruth Slenczynska
Legendary American pianist Ruth Slenczynska was a child prodigy who studied with some of the greatest masters of the Romantic style: Artur Schnabel, Josef Hoffman, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Alfred Cortot. At age 97, she is still playing concerts and has just released a new CD. Ms. Slenczynska will join us virtually from her home in Pennsylvania to speak about the music of Chopin.
Schedule of Events
Cofrin Family Hall Recitals:
Performers should come to the stage of Cofrin Family Hall 5 minutes before their recital start time. Performers will be seated on stage; families and guests may sit with their performer on stage or in the audience. Please plan to stay for the entire recital. Video recordings of each recital will be available on this website after the conclusion of the festival.
Fort Howard Hall Masterclasses:
10AM: “Create your own Character Piece” with Justin Krueger. Compose/Improvise your own Romantic-style character piece! This workshop is particularly aimed at younger pianists.
11AM: Masterclass with Diana Shapiro (University of Minnesota, Duluth). Performers:
- Samantha Baye—Chopin, Prelude in B Minor, Op. 28/6
- Rowan McManus—Granados, Oriental Dance Op. 5/2
- Natalie Baye—Chopin, Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9/2
12 PM: Presentations Literary Romanticism" with Rebecca Nesvet (English Professor at UW-Green Bay) and Rebecca Stewart Teaching Students with ADHD" with UWGB piano majors—Jeremy Raduenz, Rainy Lampone, Madelyn Davies and Aygul Garryevva.
1PM: Masterclass with Baruch Meir (Arizona State University). Performers:
- Daniel Essinger—Schubert, Sonata B-flat, D 960.Movement I: Molto moderato
- Isaac Tomalak—Grieg, Nocturne, Op. 54/4
- Jaylon Jones—Dett, Juba Dance from In the Bottoms
- Grace Claflin—Chopin, Polonaise in A, Op. 40/1
2 PM: Presentation "Composers of Color: Elementary and Intermediate Repertoire by African-American composers" with Tricia Marton (UW-Green Bay | Sheboygan campus and Lakeland University).
3 PM: Presentation (via Zoom) Teaching Chopin" with legendary pianist Ruth Slenczynska
4 PM: Masterclass with Catherine Kautsky (Lawrence University). Performers:
- Skyla Coogan—Granados, Oriental Dance Op. 5/2
- Chloe Meyer—Price, Dream Boat
- Ellie Murphy—Mussorgsky, A Tear
7 PM: Recital in Cofrin Family Hall with Bösendorfer Artist Baruch Meir
Registration
To schedule your performance in Cofrin Family Hall or to be considered as a performer for a workshop or masterclass, please complete the online form by clicking on the picture below. Additional questions can be directed to Michael Rector contact email address: rectorm@uwgb.edu.