Alumnus to Present Piano Concert and Conduct Master Class

Dr. Matthew McCright, a 1999 Westminster College graduate, will present a piano concert Monday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Orr Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public.

The concert program includes a performance of Asa Nisi Masa sponsored by the American Composers Forum through its Encore program, supporting repeat performances of new works.

McCright, a member of the piano faculty at Carleton College in Minneapolis, maintains an active freelance schedule. He is the curator of the Open Doors music series that partners performing artists with charitable causes and is housed at Saints Martha and Mary Episcopal Parish, where he is pianist-in-residence. He will launch The Composer's Project, a nationwide program that features emerging composers.

McCright has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe with ensembles, chamber music groups, concert series, and music festivals. He performs works by living composers, spanning both traditional and contemporary pieces. Upcoming projects include the CD release of Second Childhood and a disc of the piano works of Minnesota composer Gene Gutchë.

While at Westminster, McCright studied with Dr. Nancy Zipay DeSalvo, associate professor and chair of the Department of Music. He earned his master of music in piano from College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and completed a doctor of musical arts degree in piano performance at the University of Minnesota.

In addition to the concert, McCright will conduct a master class Tuesday, March 10, at 2 p.m. in Orr Auditorium. The class is open to all who wish to attend.

Contact Westminster's Department of Music at (724) 946-7270 for more information.

Dr. Matthew McCright