Written by Kenzie James // Graphic by Ben Evans
The Harding Arts and Life Performance Series invited Dr. Jerome Reed, professor of piano at Lipscomb University, to perform a solo piano concert. Reed performed Jan. 25 and was the third artist for Arts and Life this school year.
Last semester’s artists included The Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band and Emmet Cahill.
Reed is a returning performer, previously performing at Harding in the early 2000s. Dr. Scott Carrell, director of piano studies, first met Reed because of that performance, and they stayed in touch throughout the years. In the spirit of the University’s Centennial year and reflecting on moments in Harding’s history, Arts and Life invited Reed to perform again this year.
Reed added history of his own to the celebration by including pieces from his experience at Lipscomb in his program. Two of the modern pieces he performed are Prayers and Meditations, composed by N. Lincoln Hanks, and It Is Finished, composed by Michael Rickelton.
Both composers were former students of Reed’s, Carrell said. Including It Is Finished in the program added to the evening’s significance because Reed’s performance was the world premiere of Rickelton’s piece. Carrell described how the original premiere date was interrupted by COVID-19, and Reed “just didn’t have another right opportunity to do it.” That opportunity presented itself with the performance Thursday night, during a year of celebrations.
“This seemed to be the right [opportunity] because it fits in with the Centennial,” Carrell said.
Students are drawn back to The Arts and Life performances for the unique concert experience and the music they get to hear.
Freshman Reagan Mitchell said she went to both the Gravel Yard Bluegrass Band and Emmet Cahill performances last semester.
“What I really enjoyed about the Arts and Life performances that caused me to go a couple of times was their atmosphere,” Mitchell said.
Sophomore Grayson Thompson said he attends Arts and Life concerts to watch the musicians perform and see each artist’s personality come out in the music.
“Watching them do what they are passionate about and live out their dreams on stage is an experience that I will never forget,” Thompson said.
