UT’s Music Department is a part of the comprehensive NASM (National Association of Schools of Music) that prepares students for a wide range of future career possibilities such as music educators, performers, composers and technologists. Students are well prepared to meet the challenges of the most selective graduate programs in the nation. UT has six unique performing venues fitted to all types of music including Fletcher Lounge, Grand Salon, the Music Room, Reeves Theater, Sykes Chapel and Falk Theatre. Throughout the semester, there is a wide variety of student ensembles that perform on and off-campus.
Senior Elisabet Fandino exemplifies how successful the Music Department truly is. Fandino, a piano performance major from Jacksonville, plays the piano, organ and harpsichord. Although her main focus is the piano. Fandino was introduced to the instrument when she was eight years old.
“I fell in love with the piano and music and knew, even as a small child, that this is what I wanted to do,” Fandino said. “I am hoping to pursue a graduate degree in piano pedagogy, which will help me guide my piano students through the different technical levels.”
The piano is one of the most popular instruments in the world and is widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, as well as a tool for composition. The piano’s versatility and predominance has made it one of the world’s most familiar musical instruments.
“I have been teaching Fandino for four semesters now,” Grigorios Zamparas, Fandino’s instructor, said. “She is a very serious student who practices every day and has grown tremendously during her studies here at UT, both pianistically and artistically. This is evident in her sound, musical phrasing and the way she is now able to perceive and comprehend big pieces, such as an entire Beethoven sonata.”
Fandino is a recipient of the Sant’yago Cruz Foundation scholarship given by Dr. Rex and Geneva Damron. It is a minority piano scholarship for Hispanics. Apart from that, she performs with small ensembles. She is currently in a string ensemble, the Bella Corda Trio, with Justin Justice (violin) and Joshua Ratliff (viola). She has also performed with a small wind ensemble, men and women’s Glee clubs and the jazz ensemble.
“I have always viewed music as a spiritual experience,” Fandino said. “It has been my outlet in many ways and has helped me understand myself as a person. That is another reason why I’m so passionate about teaching. I enjoy helping people express themselves through music when it may be difficult for them to otherwise.”
On Saturday, April 13 at 3 p.m., Fandino’s senior recital will take place. It will be held in the Sykes Chapel. “I’m going to be playing the piano, harpsichord and organ. It should be a really fun recital. I’m looking forward to the experience,” Fandino said.
Madison Irwin can be reached at xoxomaddie2@aim.com