The Community Music School at Southwestern College is hosting another year of master classes.  To launch this year’s series of master classes pianist Benjamin Bertin will perform a solo recital on Friday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Center. 
           
Bertin will give a short talk about the works on his program before he begins his recital.  Works include: “Partita No. 1 in Bb BWV 825,” by J.S. Bach; “Preludes in g#, D, & c,” by  Rachmaninoff; “Heroic Polonaise,” by Chopin, and others.  A reception will follow his performance in the Darbeth Fine Arts Lobby. 
           
On Saturday, Sept. 18, Bertin will give a piano master class on stage in Messenger.  He will instruct pianists from the CMS and Southwestern College from 10 a.m. – noon.  Both the recital and master class are free and open to the public.  All are welcome to attend.
           
A native of Canada, Bertin seeks to share classical music with people from all walks of life through education, enthusiasm, and passionate performances.  Although a late starter in the realm of classical music, Bertin quickly advanced as a pianist. At age 22, he began undergraduate work at Brandon University under the tutelage of Russian concert artist Alexander Tselyakov.  Bertin possesses a special affinity for Romantic piano music and has been acclaimed for his performances of Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Johannes Brahms.  He currently holds a graduate assistantship in group piano at Bowling Green State University where he is completing his master’s degree.  A student of Thomas Rosenkranz, Bertin continues to develop his craft with aspirations of pursuing a doctoral degree in piano performance in fall 2011.
           
“This is the second year we are offering this master class series.  We are excited to host Benjamin Bertin as our first artist of the school year.” says Melissa Williamson, administrator of the Community Music School.  “We try to hold at least one master class a month and host a different professional musician from the area to share their performance medium with students who are involved in the Community Music School and Southwestern College.” 
           
Williamson adds that Oct. 23 and Nov. 13 are the dates for the next Saturday Master Classes.      Updates and more information are available on the CMS website: www.sckans.edu/cms.
            
The mission of the Community Music School at Southwestern College is to nurture the fine arts community of South Central Kansas and North Central Oklahoma with rich, musical experiences for people of all ages.
           
“Our vision is to encourage excellence in the arts by offering a wide array of private lessons, master classes, ensembles, performance opportunities, and more on the campus of Southwestern College,” says Williamson.