Yesterday, Kaz Tokito, the legendary brilliant piccolo player of the Philadelphia Orchestra, gave a Master Class and concert at the University of Delaware. Eileen Grycky, Assistant Professor of Flute at UD, sponsored the event, which attracted an audience from the community as well as her large studio of undergraduates and graduate students.
Flute Pro Shop set up an exhibit, shown above.
The Master Class featured performers from the UD studio as well as those from other area studios. No matter the performer, they were transformed as a result of Kaz' instruction. It was particularly touching to hear him sing a line, and then play it. The inflection, passion, and musical clarity were the same.
After a lunch break, Kaz performed an incredible concert, featuring both piccolo and flute. He is a consummate artist. The Bach C minor Suite was presented on piccolo, as well as a Telemann Fantasia. Then on to the Roussel "Jouers de Flute" performed on the flute. But the piece "De Resistance" was the Messiaen "Merle Noir" which he performed on the piccolo. It was superb! I would never have thought of this, but it was just perfect. Even the final bird call up to high C. Kaz provided verbal program notes that were very entertaining as well as informative.
I must also mention the phenominal accompaniment of Julie Nishimura for the concert, and Christine McCloskey for the master class.
Eileen Grycky's studio is a spirited and supportive group for each other. The "Spin to Win" wheel was a big hit, and they all cheered as they spun and won, or lost. Great fun, and added a festive feel to the event!
Let me also provide some perspective: I graduated from the University of Delaware in 1974 with a Bachelor of Music in performance. I was the first instrumentalist to earn that degree. Since then, the School of Music had grown in incredible ways. The venue, the Performing Arts Center, is wonderfully contextually designed with the older University buildings in mind. It is warm with wood flooring and paneling. The sound in the Gore Recital Hall is fabulous. The stages are state-of-the-art. It is kept immaculately clean. The student facilities and program managers know what they are doing and are professional in their demeanor. As an alum, and as an exhibitor, I was impressed and proud.
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