John M. Long School of Music puts on a recital

Two John M. Long School of Music faculty members held a recital composed of flute and piano music Sunday. Dr. Heather Small, associate professor of flute, and Dr. Benjamin Crook, assistant professor of music in collaborative piano, started preparation for the concert just a few months ago, using a mix of individual and collaborative approaches. 

“I began developing the program and researching the pieces/composers over the summer,” Small said. “We practiced individually and then began putting the 2 parts together by the end of August.” 

For Small, developing the program was more than just picking songs she liked or knew would be fun to play though; she had a specific journey for the listener she was putting together with each piece. 

“The overarching theme as I developed the repertoire was a dark to light motive with ‘I Will Not be Sad in this World’ at the center,” Small said. 

According to two student audience members, the piece Small placed at the center of the recital was the show’s most powerful moment. 

“I forgot the name of my favorite piece, but it was the third piece, played with the alto flute and the electronics,” said Mystic Wilkes, a junior interdisciplinary studies major from Douglas, Georgia. 

“Dr. Heather Small’s alto flute performance of ‘I Will Not be Sad in This World,’ which was enhanced by electronics, was my favorite piece,” said Jennasis Peak, a freshman elementary education major from Luverne, Alabama. “I really enjoyed how the electronic sounds merged with the flute. It created a really unique experience.” 

For Small though, there was a different most powerful point of the show – one that she believed highlighted the pair's teamwork and musical achievement the most. 

“I loved all the music, but I’d have to say that I was happiest with our performance of the Flute Sonata by Mel Bonis,” Small said. “One of the focal points in our rehearsals with this piece were the musical nuances and ensemble -- awareness of one another.  

“I think that showed during yesterday’s recital.” 

Musical achievement was not the only goal they had in mind though. One of the main goals of the performance was to inspire and set an example for the professors’ students in the crowd, who will have put on a similar performance in the future. 

“I hope that we provided a strong example of performance standards and stage etiquette for our students,” Small said. “Playing in large groups like the Sound of the South is one thing, but each music major will have to perform a senior recital before they graduate.  

“It’s a culminating moment in their degree.”