June 10-15, 2018
On June 10th the Department of Music at the University of Montevallo celebrated the 15th annual week-long Young Musicians’ Camp. Each year the camp provides young musicians between the ages of 11-18 years old the opportunity to create and perform music on a university campus while working directly with professional faculty artists.
During the much-anticipated event, Dr. Alan Goldspiel conducted classes in music history, music theory/ear training, music technology, and guitar. Additionally, Dr. Goldspiel spent 6-plus hours daily giving private lessons, coaching ensembles, and teaching classes for the area’s talented musical youth.
As part of their musical education, the young musicians were addressed by Dr. Goldspiel at one of the event’s Convocations on musicianship, what it means to be a musician, and different professional opportunities in the music field.
Then on Monday evening, June 11th, Dr. Goldspiel performed alongside fellow University of Montevallo Professors, Dr. Melanie Williams (soprano) and Dr. Joe Ortiguera (violinist) during the Monday night Faculty Showcase for the students.
Early in the program, guitarist Goldspiel accompanied violinist, Ortiguera performing Celso Machado’s pieces, Pacoa (Choro) and Pe De Moleque (Samba Choro).
Later in the program, he accompanied soprano, Williams performing Allegra and Presto from Guiseppe Torelli’s piece, Sinfonia con Tromba.
The week-long intensive culminated with a public student performance in LeBaron Recital Hall.
When asked about his decade-long involvement with the Young Musicians’ Camp and what he hoped the experience would contribute to the students’ lives, Goldspiel stated, “I am always amazed by the excitement for music that our camp generates and I truly appreciate seeing the fresh view of music that our campers bring with them.”
As Chair of the Music Department, Dr. Goldspiel worked with camp directors to make sure that all 225 campers had a great time learning, performing, and enjoying traditional camp activities at the University of Montevallo.