Rose-Hulman Artist-in-Residence Clare Longendyke, D.M., will continue her mission of introducing classical music to today’s world with a special piano recital on Sunday, February 4, at 5 p.m. in the White Chapel as part of the college’s Discovery Music Series.

The free public concert will feature Longendyke performing Robert Schumann’s Arabeske, Op. 18, three selections from Claude Debussy’s Piano Preludes, and Amy Beach’s unfamiliar gem, Variations on Balkan Themes. 

“All of these music selections represent long-time ‘bucket list’ pieces for me. They are works that I have hoped to feature on the right concert program for a long time,” she said. “I’m so glad that the opportunity presented itself as part of my artist residency at Rose-Hulman.”

The Schumann piece is one that Longendyke learned to appreciate from her teacher at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she earned a doctorate in music. Debussy is a personal favorite composer, with 12 of his works featured in Longendyke’s debut solo CD (being released on March 1). Beach’s piece, unknown and underappreciated by most classical music audiences, has been something the pianist has wanted to perform for the past 15 years, since learning about it in college. 

Longendyke is a soloist, chamber musician, and musical innovator who performs with American orchestras and on recital series around the world. Recent highlights include performances of concertos by Mozart, Falla, Rachmaninoff, Florence Price, and Joan Tower with orchestras in Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, and Virginia. Her solo CD “… of dreams unveiled” features the works of Debussy, Amy Williams, and Anthony R. Green.

Longendyke’s passion for the music she plays radiates through the way she speaks from the concert stage. She has a contagious commitment to the music of our time, and her programming celebrates works by favorite composers of the past — including Robert and Clara Schumann, Beethoven, and Debussy — while creating space for those that are paving the way towards classical music’s more inclusive future. Learn more about Longendyke’s career at www.clarelongendyke.com. 

She is enjoying spending this academic year as Rose-Hulman’s Artist-in-Residence. Along with performing as part of Discovery Music Series shows for the campus and community, she has joined music professor David Chapman, PhD, in teaching music classes.

“Those teaching opportunities offer me the chance to dig more deeply into the music with the Rose-Hulman students, whose curiosity is often much deeper than simply understanding the historical context and implications of the music,” she stated. “I love seeing them light up when I talk about the nitty-gritty of my musical process learning and performing music. It has been a treat to work with students whose approach to music comes most readily from the perspective of a curious learner and an audience member. Our conversations help me think differently, and often more deeply, about the music I perform.”

There are four concerts left in her year-long Rose-Hulman residency. Learn more about the Discovery Music Series at https://www.rose-hulman.edu/about-us/community-and-public-services/weddings-and-special-events/white-chapel-events.html.

“I will be very sad when my residency ends in May,” said Longendyke. 

Tickets are not required to attend Sunday’s recital, with seating being on a first-come, first-served basis. The White Chapel is located on the west side of campus, overlooking Speed Lake.