An evening of song devoted to music by French composers will take place Thursday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Duncan Recital Hall in the Baird Music Hall on the Morehead State University campus.
“Mélodies Françaises” will be presented by soprano, Dr. Roma Prindle, associate professor of music, with guest artist, James Sparks, at the piano. The concert will feature songs by Charles Gounod, Ernest Chausson, Henri Duparc, Claude Debussy, Francis Poulenc, and some familiar cabaret songs. Jessica Crum will provide commentary on the songs.
The concert is free and open to the public.
An ardent proponent of the art song, Dr. Prindle has devoted the major part of career to the classical song repertoire. She has performed in 30 states, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, England, Ireland, Wales, Australia and Taiwan. She has shared her professional experience as an MSU faculty member since 1993.
A native of Harlan, Dr. Prindle received the Bachelor of Arts degree in applied music from Transylvania University. She also holds the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in vocal performance from the Hartt School of Music, Hartford, Conn. Additional studies included study in Salzburg, Austria, with American soprano, Cornelia Prestel and in Minneapolis, Minn. with tenor Clifton Ware.
A native of Greenup, Sparks holds the Master of Music degree in piano accompanying and vocal coaching from Westminster Choir College, where he studied piano with Dr. J.J. Penna. Sparks made his debut with Westminster’s CoOPERAtive program as assistant conductor/pianist for Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore” last year, and joined the program's coaching faculty this past summer.
Since relocating to New Jersey, Sparks has performed with the professional vocal ensemble Princeton ProMusica, given more than 50 public recitals, and is frequently asked to accompany soloists and choirs in the area. Drawing upon a rich and diverse musical background, he has been music director/pianist for more than 10 fully staged opera productions and more than 20 musical theatre productions. Currently, Sparks serves as the minister of music at Clover Hill Reformed Church, as organist and choir director.
During his tenure at MSU, Sparks collaborated with Dr. Prindle in several MSU OperaWorks productions, while studying piano with Dr. Eunbyol Ko. He also has served as principal pianist for the Kentucky Christian University Concert Choir and Chorale, and the University of Louisville Symphony Orchestra.
Sparks works with internationally renowned pianist, Dalton Baldwin. And both artists attended l’Académie Internationale d’Eté de Nice in France last year, where they worked with Baldwin. Dr. Prindle was accepted by audition to work with Baldwin and Dutch soprano Elly Ameling at the International Festival of Art Song in Milwaukee, Wisconsin several years ago. Thursday evening’s concert is part of an ongoing series by Prindle and Sparks. In honor of Dalton Baldwin and Elly Ameling, whose artistry fuels so much of their work, they have borrowed their recital logo and dubbed this series “A Feaste of Recognition.”
Additional information is available by calling Dr. Prindle at 606-783-2481.
