Mercier, Horgan, Edwards reunite
GCSU students were serenaded Jan. 23 with the musical stylings of Brad Edwards, brass instructor at the University of South Carolina, on the trombone and GCSU’s very own Richard Mercier, on piano, and Maureen Horgan, on trombone respectively.
The Department of Music and Theatre have always invited exceptional guest artists, but few have as serendipitous of a story as this trio does. While Horgan was a graduate student at the Yale School of Music, Edwards was an undergraduate student at the Hartt School of Music and each knew of the other.
Years later, the two ran into each other at a trombone workshop, and eager for the chance to reminisce, Horgan invited Edwards to play at GCSU with Richard Mercier. Unbeknownst to Horgan, Mercier was the accompanist to Edwards at his undergrad recital in 1986 and he was thrilled for the chance to reunite. Performing an anniversary encore of their piece, “Sonatina,” Edwards jokingly proclaimed there would be “another 20-year reunion in 2026.” GCSU music chair, Mercier shares how “really wonderful it was to play and make music together.”
And the music was wonderful. The program was a fun and upbeat selection. In addition to Edward’s recital piece, he also performed his own composition, “Four Impromptus for Low Bone Alone,” with a movement dedicated to each season. Praising the way words and music “intercept,” he read a short poem before playing, likening it to a “trailer for music.” Students can relate all too well to the idle “meandering” of late summer before the hectic pace of back to school (deadlines pressing). With a quirky sprinkling of characters, Edwards and Mercier concluded with the theme song for “Gaucho,” “Peacock,” “Recluse,” “Windup Toy” and “Hawker”. The pieces were played so lively that they brightened the chilly January night.
Edwards is currently second trombone for the Augusta Symphony and has an impressive resume of solo performances, including the United States Air Force Concert Band. He has published one composition and two books, along with teaching at numerous schools and playing in many ensembles. Lauren Lundin, a sophomore English major, was captivated by his overall performance.
“As a trombone player, I can appreciate the technical skill involved to sound as good as he did, but I’ve always loved to watch trombonists,” Lundin said. “Their sound is pleasing because of their mellow tone, and the slide lends itself to unique sounds that other brass instruments can’t make. But they are also a pleasure to watch because the slide moves with the changing notes, adding a visual aspect that is more like watching the bow of a violin instead of a musician pressing down keys.”
Greg Burns, a senior music education major, himself a trumpet player, took Mercier’s piano class and currently works in his office.
“I love it and respect him because he is a phenomenal musician and it’s great working with someone who knows so much about music. Plus, he treats all his students with respect,” Burns said when asked how it felt to hear his “boss” play.
In addition to directing the Central Georgia Junior Piano Olympics, an adolescent piano competition, and working at various workshops, he has performed at venues in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Most recently, in June 2006, he received an invitation to play at Xinjiang Arts University in China. Mercier has already published numerous titles and has one in progress.
Excited to play with such a great crew, Dr. Horgan is no stranger to the music world. A freelance trombonist, Horgan has performed with the Opera Company of Boston, the Honolulu Symphony, the Boston Philharmonic and at major festivals such as the International Trombone Workshop, the Eastern Trombone Workshop, and the International Women’s Brass Conference. When school’s out for Summer, she performs with the New Hampshire Music Festival.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Feb 2 2007. Filed under Features.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
