From The Classroom, To The Stage: Faculty Members To Perform At Cardinal Stritch

When she's in the classroom, Kay Belich teaches voice to students at . On the stage, she's a metso soprano that can sing a variety of music from many different classic operas.

Belich and other Stritch faculty members are getting ready to take the stage for their students and community members. They'll be performing in a faculty recital on Sunday and showcase a variety of talent from Belich's voice to James Norden on piano, Olga Tuzhilkov on viola and Scott Wenzel on percussion. Guest artist Marie Sander will also give a performance on the flute.

“I think that it is important for faculty members to perform at the University, so that students can hear a variety of repertoire that perhaps they would not encounter on student recitals,” Belich said.

She also noted that working with Dr. Norden, the pianist for the recital, has been very enjoyable and feels this year's program will be enriching for the entire community.

“I hope the students will appreciate the cooperation that preparing a chamber music recital such as this one requires, and that they will be inspired for the presentation of their own programs,” Belich said.

Faculty members at Stritch have put on a performance for several years now, said Dr. Dennis King, music Chair at Stritch and said they are a standard feature to the university's music department.

King said the music selection is chosen by the faculty who performs, and the show helps strengthen the music department itself.

“There's a great benefit to our music majors to see (the faculty perform),” King said.

While music students at Stritch are the main audience members, the concert is free and open to the public so everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

“It's the same as attending any other quality music performance. You're having an enrichment in the arts,” King said.

The faculty members will be performing a variety of works by J. S. Bach, Bohuslav Martinu and Alan Hovhaness. Belich, who has been teaching at Stritch since 1998, will be performing four songs by German composer Hugo Wolf. “His style is Romantic, and his harmonies are lush, and sometimes surprising,” She said.

“I chose the songs because they show Wolf's ability to portray differing moods through the poetry set to music.”

The recital will be held in the Nancy Kendall Theater at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, contact Dr. Dennis King at (414) 410-4349.