By CODY SCOTT, staff writer
Amarillo College will launch its Art Force Piano Series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, in the Concert Hall Theater at the Washington Street Campus.
“Our piano series is an opportunity for us to bring in guest artist to interact with our music majors as well as to give our general students here at Amarillo College an opportunity to hear something they normally wouldn’t hear,” Camille Nies, the chair of the music department, said. “We’re also open to the community serving a purpose and providing many resources, even our non music majors.”
Nies said the music department has been consistent in delivering entertainment to a variety of audiences.
“We have series like this to feature excellent quality performances for different audiences and it provides free entertainment as well as giving an art supportive community here in the Texas Panhandle,” she said. “We have been doing this for 60 years and have become a center of the musical world here in our community.”
While other instructors are here to provide service to their audience and make live events possible, some are actual performers themselves.
“This career path requires one to be very dedicated and very hard working,” said Bruce Lin, a piano professor/performer. “I had to spend a lot of time practicing my instrument, collaborating with other musicians and studying the history of music for proper performance techniques.”
As well as being a dedicated performer, Lin said, he also wants his students to succeed.
“My advice to students is that they have to be willing to work hard and dedicate their time while learning patience,” he said. “They have to be willing to be content when they are not financially secure. Us musicians don’t always have secure income and can go days/weeks without gigs.”
He added that music can come with many struggles but is also very essential to life.
“Music is essential to us because it stimulates our emotional system as well as regulating our anxiety, stress and even anger,” he said. “It improves our concentration allowing our brain to become more involved. Also, as a musician you may never what little opportunity can turn into something big.”
The seven-month Art Force Piano Series features the following five installments:
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. – “Thirty Dirty Fingers” – Dr. Bruce Lin and Dr. Nathaniel Fryml of the AC faculty, and Dr. James Rauscher, former chair of the AC music department (retired).
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. – “Dances and Romances” – Alex McDonald and Rachel Li McDonald.
Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. – “2022 Jam with Love!” – AC Music Faculty.
Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. – “Forgotten Masterpieces of Central European Piano Music” – Slawomir Dobrzanski.
Tuesday, April 5, 2022, – “Beethoven 250” – David Palmer, artistic director of Chamber Music Amarillo.
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