Elton (courtesy photo)

Hominick (courtesy photo)

 

Annual Foothills Piano Festival
Returns February 5-7

Jacksonville State University's David L. Walters Department of Music will present the annual Foothills Piano Festival on the JSU campus February 5-7. An array of stunning recitals and masterclasses will be featured in the Mason Hall Performance Center. All events are free and open to the public.

On Thursday evening, February 5 at 7:30 p.m., Dr. Nancy Elton of Atlanta will present a recital with works by Beethoven and Liszt. Dr. Elton is on the faculty of the University of West Georgia and the Atlanta Music Academy. An exceptional talent who has achieved doctoral degrees in both piano and voice, Dr. Elton has been hailed as "...an artist capable of amazing fire and brillance as well as being possessed of the most graceful sensitivity and delicacy..." (The State and Columbia Record). A sought-after soloist, her recent performances include Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" and Beethoven's "Third Piano Concerto." A producer of successful, award-winning pianists, Dr. Elton was named Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Music Teachers Association in 2005.

The festival will showcase Dr. Elton's teaching expertise as she coaches junior high and high school pianists in a masterclass on Friday, Feb. 6, at 3 p.m.. Later that evening, all will be treated to the pianism of Dr. Ian Hominick, Professor of Piano at the University of Mississippi. Hailing from Nova Scotia, Dr. Hominick has studied with renowned virtuosi Jerome Rose and Earl Wild. He will present a glorious recital including works by Ravel and Thalberg at 7:30 p.m.. The Halifax Chronicle-Herald described his playing as exhibiting "flash, splash and panache." Regularly heard on public radio, he enjoys a career performing throughout the United States and Canada. Also active as a recording artist, he will release a CD of lesser-known composers of piano music later this year. Dr. Hominick will conclude his participation with the Foothills Piano Festival by offering an exciting masterclass to JSU's college pianists on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.. All are welcome to witness these piano students performing and receiving a public lesson.

Concluding the Festival will be a recital featuring the young pianists of our community. Youth of various ages who study with teachers of the Northeast Alabama Music Teachers Association will demonstrate their development on the hall's Steinway concert grand at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7.

For more information about the events, please contact Dr. Wendy Faughn at ext. 8258.

 

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