Bryan Helsel to Give Recital on Steinway Piano at Westminster

Brian Helsel, a 1997 Westminster graduate, will perform the works of Steve Barr, a 1998 Westminster graduate, Monday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Wallace Memorial Chapel. 

 The program, which will be played on a new Steinway piano donated by the class of 1954, will begin with "Sonata No. 2, Op. 22" by Schumann, and end with Bolcom's "Two Ghost Rags."  The balance of the program will be Barr's "Five Miniatures of Summer." 

 "The work reflects the composer's impressions of several aspects of summer that are found in the outdoors," Helsel said, who debuted this work in a concert broadcast through West Virginia Public Radio.  "This set of brief movements explores scenes in chronological order over the course of a single day, using a variety of harmonic and formal structures, while attempting to preserve economy of means."

 While at Westminster, Helsel earned his degree in vocal music education and piano performance, and his master's from Duquesne University.  He has taught music for eight years, most recently in the Butler Area School District.  Helsel also advises extra-curricular choral groups at Butler Senior High School, and is the assistant director and accompanist for the Blazing Star Choral Society, and the community choir of Butler County.  He has played piano and organ for the Butler Symphony, and the North Main Street Church of God in Butler, and trumpet for the Butler Brass Quintet.

 Barr composes music for a variety of genres, including choral, vocal, symphonic and orchestral works, chamber music, as well as keyboard solos and electronic music.  He earned his master's degree from the University of South Florida, and his Ph.D. from West Virginia University.

 For more information, contact the Westminster College Department of Music at (724) 946-7190.

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