Flutist Gabe Southard will present a faculty recital at Hope College on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Wichers Auditorium of Nykerk Hall of Music.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The program will feature “Allusions,” by Dana Wilson; “Sonata for Flute and Piano,” by Lowell Liebermann; “Deep Blue,” by Ian Clarke; and “Sonata No. 2,” by Eric Ewazen.
Southard, an associate professor of music, also conducts the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, teaches flute and heads the department’s instrumental division.
In addition to his collegiate teaching, Southard has served as clinician at several high schools and taught at the New England Music Camp in 2002. As a flute player, Southard maintains an active performing schedule by playing principal flute in the Holland Symphony Orchestra, giving recitals and playing in chamber ensembles. He has also performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Lucca, Italy Opera Orchestra, and community orchestras.
Southard completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in conducting at Michigan State University, where he worked with Professor John Whitwell. Prior to his residence at Michigan State University, he served as Wind Symphony conductor and Flute Studio teacher at the University of Michigan-Flint, where he also taught Orchestration, Music Appreciation, and Advanced Conducting. While living in Cincinnati, Ohio, Southard served as conductor of the Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble from 1999 to 2002. Under his direction, the ensemble toured England and Scotland, taking first place at the Bournemouth International Musicmakers Festival, completed a CD of the works of Mark Camphouse and was invited to perform at the Ohio Music Educators Regional Conference.
Southard received his Master of Music degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied conducting with James Smith. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he created the UW Brass Choir and the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Brass Choir program. At Ithaca College, he completed a bachelor’s degree in flute performance under the tutelage of Wendy Mehne, where he was instrumental in creating the Ithaca Chamber Winds.
Southard will be assisted by pianist Sarah Bast.
Nykerk Hall of Music is located in the central Hope campus at the former 127 E. 12th St. between College and Columbia avenues.