The School of Music began its concert series with the Faculty Music Show, “Prime Numbers for Strings.”
“I needed a catch phrase for the title. The numbers two, three, and seven are choice words for stringed instruments so it works well with prime numbers,” said Robert Lehmann, director of string studies.
The concert featured Kimberly Lehmann, William Rounds, cellist, George Calvert, bass, Thomas Parchman, clarinet, and Ardith Keef, bassoon.
Lehmann, a violinist, performed with his wife Kimberly in “Sonata a Duo,” by composer Manuel M. Ponce. Ponce, a Mexican composer, is a personal favorite of Lehmann because he grew up in Mexico himself. Lehmann’s connection to Ponce grows further as Lehmann attended the same university where Ponce had served as director many years before. Lehmann had also attended the Conservatorio Nacional de Musica in Mexico City. Performing a Ponce composition was a great honor for Lehmann.
Cellist William Rounds, professor of applied cello, joined the Lehmanns for “Serenade in C major, Op.10” by Ernst von Dohnanyi. Lehmann said of the song, “I had to perform this song. It is one of the jewels no one knows about.”
Rounds is a member of the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and plays regularly for the Boston Symphony.
The School of Music has a full schedule for the year, including continuing concerts by faculty, Jazz Combos, and the USM Chorale.