October 27, 2009

Alumna, Guest Oboist at WIU October 30

MACOMB, IL - - Guest artist, oboist and Western Illinois University alumna Stacey Berk returns to her undergraduate alma mater to present a masterclass and to give a recital Friday, Oct. 30. The events are open free to the public.

Berk will work with musicians from the WIU oboe studio in a masterclass from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall, located in Simpkins Hall.

Her recital, "Evocations," will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall and will include "Homage to Hafiz"(2004) by Simon A. Sargon (b. 1938); "Évocations for Oboe Solo" (1969) by Henri Tomasi (1901-1971); "Niobe" (1987), for solo oboe and pre-recorded sound track by Thea Musgrave (b. 1928); and "Four Personalities" (2007), by Alyssa Morris (b. 1984). Her final work, which is her own composition written when she was 20 years old, "The Reed-Makin' Blues" (2008), will also feature Western Illinois musicians Michael Ericson, Douglas Huff, Rebecca McGuire and Allison Marcum. Accompanying Beck on piano will be Western's Greg Martin.

A student of Western Illinois Oboe Professor Ericson, Berk taught at Grinnel College and Drake University before moving to Wisconsin, where she is an associate professor of oboe and music theory at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP). She performs as principal oboist with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and as the oboist with Trio Canna, the UWSP faculty reed trio.

Previously, Beck was a member of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and in the award-winning Polaris Wind Quintet, which was formed in 2000 with members from four universities and colleges and two major symphony orchestras in Iowa. From 1995-1999, Berk was a member of the U.S. Air Force Band of the West, stationed in San Antonio (TX). She performed as principal oboist and frequent soloist in the Concert Band and chamber ensembles, and she composed and arranged music for many of the Air Force ensembles. She remains an active composer; and she has received commissions from many organizations, performing artists and schools including the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Symphony Band, The Madera Trio, Wizards Double Reed Consort, Lake Park High School (IL), the Midwest Double Reed Society and Point Dance Ensemble. Her works are available through Cocobolo Music Press.

Berk earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in music education at WIU (1993) and two Master of Music degrees (1995) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one in composition and one in oboe performance.

Sponsors for Berk's visit include the WIU School of Music, the Visiting Lectures Committee and the Council on Student Activities Funds. For more information, contact Ericson by phone, (309) 298-1686, or by e-mail, MB-Ericson@wiu.edu.

Copy By: Bonnie Barker, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606