Acclaimed Pianist Spencer Myer to Perform for UA’s Celebrity Series

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Spencer Myer, who is rapidly becoming known as one of the most outstanding pianists of his generation, will perform on The University of Alabama campus at 2 p.m. March 28 in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building.  

The performance is part of the School of Music’s 2009-2010 Celebrity Series in UA’s College of Arts and Sciences.  

Myer also will conduct a piano master class March 29 at 10 a.m. in the Concert Hall.  

“What I try to bring most to a performance is an emotional connection to the music,” Myer said.  “I hope through the course of the recital that the audience will be moved and feel a variety of different emotions.”  

Myer, 31, lives in New York City and has been playing classical music on the piano since he was 6-years-old. Today, he plays solo and collaborative recitals mainly throughout the United States, but he has given orchestral, recital and chamber music performances throughout North America, Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia.  

His solo performance in Tuscaloosa will include a variety of styles of classical music, including Beethoven, Handel and Schubert.  

“One of my biggest missions is to reach the general public and let people know that classical music is not necessarily a high brow, elitist type thing,” Myer said. “I don’t think there is necessarily a huge amount of education that needs to happen with the audience in order for them to appreciate it. If the audience can open themselves up to feeling the emotion in the music, then they’ll have a great experience.”  

Myer has won several piano competitions, most recently the gold medal at the 2008 New Orleans International Piano Competition. He has been soloist with more than a dozen orchestras in the United States, as well as in Beijing, China.  

Myer is a graduate of The Juilliard School. He spent two summers at the Music Academy of the West and completed his undergraduate studies at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Myer earned his doctorate in musical arts from Stony Brook University in 2005.  

“We’re looking forward to his performance, and we’re lucky to have him,” said Amanda Penick, professor of music and coordinator of the piano area in UA’s School of Music. “I’m very grateful that the Celebrity Series has chosen him.”  

Visit http://www.spencermyer.com/ for more information on Myer.  

Single ticket prices are $22, $15 and $7 for students. For ticket information, or an immediate credit card purchase, phone the School of Music Box Office at 205/348-7111. Visit http://music.ua.edu/celebrity-series for more information on the series.

UA’s School of Music is part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.