A Grand Piano Celebration at George Mason University this Weekend
Fairfax Station resident, Linda Apple Monson, honored for her contribution to piano music
"A Grand Piano Celebration" will be presented at George Mason University (GMU) on Sunday, Sept. 18. Dr. Linda Apple Monson, a gifted pianist who has lived in Fairfax Station for many years, is the guest of honor and the featured artist.
“I’m looking forward to it. It will be so much fun,” Monson said.
Last spring, Monson received an extraordinary tribute. From the stage of George Mason’s Center for the Arts, Dean William Reeder announced that an anonymous donor had given $100,000 to establish a scholarship fund in Monson’s name at the School of Music.
The Dr. Linda Apple Monson Music Endowment Fund recognizes her contributions as a pianist, a teacher, an administrator and a leader. She is the Director of Keyboard Studies at Mason, the School of Music's Associate Director for Academic Affairs and an International Steinway Artist.
“A Grand Piano Celebration” is the university’s groundbreaking effort to match the $100,000 donated by the anonymous benefactor. Monson is “very excited” about this concert, which will begin in the Concert Hall at 3:00 p.m.
The performance showcases the talents of faculty and students. It also highlights the versatility of that “grande dame” of instruments, the piano. Students will perform pieces by Beethoven, Debussy, Brahms and Albeniz. In addition, two doctoral candidates will play a virtuoso duo-piano work (two pianists at two Steinway grands).
Monson will also perform several dramatic solo piano works by Spanish composers. She will collaborate with John Aler, a Grammy-winning tenor, on works by Schubert, as well as noted jazz trombonist Harry Watters in an new composition by Don Bowyer.
In the grand finale, the Concert Hall will rock to a phenomenal piano ensemble. Monson and five distinguished pianists will play “Stars and Stripes Forever” on three Steinway grands.
If you are interested in attending “A Grand Piano Celebration,” please visit their website.
Patricia Mandes
4:19 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
The tribute to Dr. Linda Monson on Sunday was magnificent. Throughout the day, she and her students and colleagues demonstrated their artistry and professionalism. The performances were breathtaking.
Bob Warakomsky
6:16 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
This is a wonderful article publicizing the outstanding caliber of music that is available to local area residents practically in their back yard. Students and faculty of the George Mason University School of Music regularly have performances throughout the school year that are available to the public at minimum or no cost. Trish Mandes is doing a wonderful job of "spreading the word" with her timely and engaging articles that pertain to the School of Music.
Alice Heyer
3:44 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Many thabks to Fairfax Station Patch for publishing this fabulous storty about a Fairfax Station resident, Dr. Linda Apple Monson. Her dedication and profesionalism for her art and her commitment and enthusiam to music education was on full display on September 18 at the Grand Piano Celebration at George Mason University. The $200,000 endowment fund in her honor is a deserving tribute. It will be used to further the academic goals and artistic dreams of students for years to come.
Jill Graziano Laiacona
1:20 pm on Friday, September 23, 2011
Trish, thank you for this fantastic article publicizing our School of Music and the Dr. Linda Apple Monson Music Endowment Fund. We truly appreciate all of the work you do to help us promote the outstanding work of the students in our College of Visual and Performing Arts.