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On Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 the University of Tampa will celebrate the musical creations of composer Gwyneth Walker. Located in Fletcher Lounge at 7:30 p.m. Walker will be attending both momentous performances.
Dr. David Isele, UT’s resident composer and organist met her many years ago at the Hartt’s International Contemporary Organ Music Festival. As the two strangers began talking, they bonded over their dreams of writing operas. They then decided to write one together.
Being long distance, they exchanged music scores through the mail. Finally their opera was complete and ready for performance. Entitled “Opera Buffet,” the opera was a celebration of debauchery.
Isele was a full-time faculty member at the University of Tampa upon the opera’s completion. During this time, Gwyneth Walker had come to UT as a guest music history teacher. As the two reunited, the opera was set for show.
Dr. Gary Luter took on the role of director, Susan Taylor Lennon as choreographer and Dr. Isele as music coordinator. “Opera Buffet” was performed four times, three as a staged show and one as a music concert.
Since then, Walker and Isele have written a second opera entitled “Taking It Off,” which celebrates diet and exercising.
In the summer and fall of 2008, UT’s brass quintet, “The Tampa Brass,” began working on Gwyneth Walker’s Shaker tunes. At a music faculty meeting, many professors expressed interest in her works. It was then decided to bring her to Florida and celebrate her music.
Gwyneth Walker currently lives in Vermont on a dairy farm. A former professor at Oberlin Conservatory, she left her position in 1982 to become a full-time composer.
Since then, she has written for all genres of music. This unique quality as a composer is what makes her music well received. All ensembles can participate and will in the two-night spectacular.
“She writes in an accessible style; it is well-constructed and makes emotional sense. She and her music are well-loved,” Isele says.
Dr. Traster, chair of the Music Department, is more than excited for Walker’s arrival. He explains that having direct contact with the composer is an effective experience.
“The students will get an insight of how a part in the music is supposed to be played as well as visualize the imagery that Walker had in mind,” Traster says. “Having the composer work with the players and then watch them perform her compositions is reminiscent of the traditional style of musicianship. Way back when, when nothing was published, the composer would write something and the music would be performed that same night.”
On Nov. 14, the students will take the stage. Performing will be the Collegiate Chorale, Women’s Glee Club, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and OPUS. OPUS will be performing a number from Walker/Isele’s “Opera Buffet.”
On Nov. 15, the faculty will take the stage in celebration of Walker’s dedication. Performing will be the Quartet de Minaret, Dr. Libor Ondras, Lowell Adams, the Tampa Brass, Dr. Grigorios Zamparas and Dr. Hein Jung, with narration by Dr. Isele.
It will surely be a night to remember and hopefully the first composer celebrations of many.
“It is a thriving dynamic to be a composer and a musician. The Music of Gwyneth Walker performances will definitely be the pilot for what’s to come,” says Traster.
So come out to this two-part musical affair Nov. 14-15 at 7:30 p.m. in Fletcher!
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