FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgc.edu

SGC presents ‘A Tricentennial Celebration of the Piano: 1709-2009’

At the turn of the eighteenth century, the harpsichord reigned supreme as the king of keyboard instruments. Then in 1709, an Italian inventor named Bartolomeo Christofori came up with an idea for an upgrade in keyboard technology that would forever change music history. The harpsichord's plectra (similar to guitar picks) which merely plucked the strings were replaced by hammers designed to strike the strings directly, thereby creating an instant capability of producing a wide range of volume from soft sounds to loud sounds. This new instrument, which he aptly named the pianoforte (Italian for soft-loud), slowly rose to popularity and has now become the most popular instrument of choice for musicians all over the world.

The year 2009 marks the 300th anniversary of Christofori's invention, and South Georgia College has decided to honor the occasion by presenting A Tricentennial Celebration of the Piano: 1709-2009, featuring Dr. Joe Chapman, Director of Keyboard Studies at North Georgia College and State University. The performance will open with a Bach toccata composed in 1709, which was originally intended for the harpsichord but now is commonly performed on the piano. Following the toccata, Dr. Chapman will trace the evolution of piano music through the work of such well-known 18th- and 19th-century composers as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. The time-line will continue through the twentieth century by taking a glance at experimental techniques for piano, including a work by Henry Cowell entitled The Aeolian Harp, which requires Dr. Chapman to take a more direct approach in producing sound by reaching inside the piano to play the strings by hand. The program is set to conclude with the world premiere tour of a brand-new exciting composition by rising composer, Cody Brookshire.

The concert will take place at McGourik Auditorium inside Peterson Hall on the SGC campus on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge for admission.

Dr. Joe Chapman has performed in the United States and eight foreign countries as conductor, accompanist, vocalist, and instrumentalist. He has presented numerous solo piano recitals in Georgia and throughout the southeast, including programs for public radio and television. Beyond his expertise at the keyboard, Dr. Chapman is also active as an arranger and composer. His music has been performed by choirs and bands from elementary schools to universities to churches to community ensembles, in North America, Europe, and Africa. As Professor of Music at North Georgia College and State University for the past twenty-five years, Dr. Chapman has acquired an eclectic mix or responsibilities. Not only does he teach piano and music theory, but also he serves as director of both the NGCSU Orchestra as well as the university's premier bluegrass ensemble, The New Crown Mountain Boys. He is both founder and coordinator of NGCSU’s annual All American Piano Celebration, which has brought hundreds of talented pianists to the Dahlonega campus to promote live performance of works by American composers since its inception in 1988. A graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in piano performance, he has served the music profession in a variety of capacities, including a term as president of the Georgia Music Teachers Association.
 

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.