Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Clarinetist Frank Kowalsky, professor emeritus at Florida State University, will perform a guest recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in Cole Concert Hall on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.
Kowalsky will collaborate with several SFA music faculty members, all of whom are graduates of Florida State University, according to Dr. Christopher Ayer, professor of clarinet in the SFA School of Music.
Dr. Jennifer Dalmas, violin and viola; Dr. Evegeni Rachev, cello; and Dr. Ron Petti, piano, were all doctoral students at FSU while Kowalsky was professor of clarinet there. Rachev’s cello teacher at FSU was Lubomir Georgiev, who wrote Dialogues I for cello and piano. Rachev will perform it with Kowalsky that evening.
“So, it’s a special treat for all of them to collaborate together on this concert,” Ayer said.
Among the other selections on the program are “Peregi Verbunk” by Leo Weiner; Suite for Clarinet, Violin and Piano and “Scaramouche” by Darius Milhaud; and Sonata by Carlos Guastavino.
Kowalsky has performed as principal clarinetist with several orchestras throughout the United States. His introduction of Scott McAllister’s “X—Concerto for Clarinet” to the clarinet community in 1998 led to the commissioning of McAllister’s concerto, “Black Dog,” which he premiered at Florida State University in 2003. A member of the faculty at the Interlochen Arts Academy for 10 years, Kowalsky joined the faculty at Florida State University in 1984 and retired in 2013. He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and the Catholic University of America.
Concert tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.