An audience packed into Myhre Recital Hall on Saturday, Nov. 12 to watch Whitworth students showcase their musical talents, while representing the works and legacies of thirteen African American artists in the Black Composers: Series II recital. 

Students performed a variety of piano pieces, some of which were accompanied by vocalists. All these pieces were composed by renowned African American artists, such as “Juba,” composed by the revolutionary African American pianist, Nathaniel Dett, and “Song to the Dark Virgin” by Florence Price.  

According to pianist Zeke Taton, as a musician, it is important to have a diverse repertoire and perform pieces from composers of different cultural backgrounds. “We tend to emphasize the works of Beethoven, Bach and Mozart, but neglect prominent works by talented minority composers,” he said. “By putting on this recital, we get the chance to listen to some of the brilliant works by these composers that many, including myself, have not gotten to hear or play before.” 

This is the second consecutive year Whitworth has hosted a recital centered around Black composers. Director of Piano Studies, Judith Schoepflin, organized the event. “For this recital, each student was given piano and/or vocal pieces by their instructors, Scott Miller for voice and me for the pianists,” Schoepflin said. “The students practice their pieces, and if the pianists are playing with a singer, the two of them rehearse, and then work with Dr. Miller and with me.” 

Schoepflin proudly added that a shorter version of the program was performed on KPBX radio station on Nov. 8, where a handful of student instrumentalists and singers performed their pieces for a broader Spokane audience. “It was a new and exciting experience for all of them,” she said. 

Schoepflin derived inspiration for this recital from a concert series highlighting female composers, which she has showcased at Whitworth for over 25 years. “However, several years ago, I had my students do a recital of music from the African Diaspora, and I thought that it was time for a more extensive series of music by black composers,” she said. 

Several student performers felt emboldened by the mission the recital sought to promote. Pianist Elsa Michelsen expressed, “It will be an educational experience for the audience to learn about composers that they likely won’t be exposed to in many other places,” she said. “I would encourage the audience to read the program notes that have been thoughtfully put together.”  

Michelsen also enjoyed participating in a student-led recital, stating, “Another exciting aspect of this recital is that it is fully a student recital. There are no staff accompanists, rather the piano students get to gain experience in this role which is a very valuable aspect to learn and grow in,” she said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity and hope that future Whitworth piano students are able to gain these experiences as the tradition continues.” 

While musical performances hosted by the music department at Whitworth are always an entertaining and enjoyable experience for the audience, this recital strove to challenge the audience by expanding their musical knowledge.  

Pianist and recital monitor Drew Bair says it beautifully: “I think a big point of this concert is to not only enjoy good music one evening, but to help people find their way into good music they may not have known about otherwise.”