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WCSU 2009 graduate and Fulbright Scholar Stephen Price has
traveled widely to pursue advanced music studies and perform in some
of the world’s great venues for organ concerts, yet he looks back to
his undergraduate studies at Western as the place where he prepared
a solid base for future success.
Price already had shown a budding passion and
talent for musical performance in organ competitions and music camps
during his youth, and the Buffalo, N.Y., native chose Western over
other prestigious college music programs to study organ performance
under the guidance of Adjunct Professor of Music Stephen Roberts.
Price gained fresh appreciation for the wisdom of that decision over
the course of his experience at Western, which he credited for
providing a “well-rounded education” that has enabled him to make
the most of his opportunities for advanced studies.
“The WCSU music department has always had a
strong music education program,” he said. “Even as a performance
major, I learned many practical skills such as choral conducting and
music technology.”
Price cited School of Visual and Performing
Arts Dean Dr. Dan Goble as an important influence in motivating him
to draw the most from his educational opportunities and musical
gifts. “Dr. Goble was the chair of the music department when I was a
student. He played an important role in my life, as well as every
other student at Western, by his constant determination and strong
work ethic values. It was always clear that Dr. Goble was doing
everything he possibly could to improve and bring the program to the
next level.”
As his organ teacher at WCSU, Roberts “gave me
a wide palette of tools that helped in the development of my
career,” Price said. “Professor Roberts opened many pathways for me,
but also expected me to decide for myself and do the necessary work
needed in order to succeed.
“My studies with Professor Roberts were
constructed in a well-rounded manner. In addition to my private
lessons, I received training in organ construction, organ design,
and church music.” He recalled that his participation in the annual
January organ program trips to Europe “allowed me to get a head
start on what was to come during my Fulbright year in France.”
Price received guidance at Western beyond his
academic field from mentors such as Vice President of Student
Affairs Dr. Walter Bernstein, who took a keen interest in the young
organist’s academic and musical development and “offered insight on
many occasions to the administrative side of academia.” In
preparation for his successful application for a Fulbright
Scholarship, he also forged a close mentoring relationship with
Professor of Anthropology Dr. Rob Whittemore and Professor
of Political Science Dr. Chris Kukk.
“The application process to apply for a
Fulbright is very strenuous and could practically be a course in
itself,” Price said. In drawing upon their experience with the
Fulbright program to mentor him through the complicated steps to
complete the application, “these two professors gave me constant
encouragement and support, which is vital for any student to have
when you are going through this process.”
Price took full advantage of his successful application with the
completion of his Fulbright studies at the Conservatoire national de
région de Toulouse, France.
He performed concerts at the Basilica of St-Sernin and other
venues in Toulouse as well as the American Church in Parish. At the
conclusion of his Fulbright program, he received the Toulouse
conservatory’s François Vidal Prize and the Diplôme d’études
musicales (equivalent to a U.S. Artist Diploma) in organ, awarded
with high honors.
Since his return to the United States, he has continued an active
performance schedule while pursuing studies for a Master of Music
degree in organ performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of
Music. Recent performances have included concerts at St. Thomas
Church Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and Westminster
Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, as well as the inaugural recital in
the Super Nova concert series at Piedmont College in Demorest, Ga.
Price’s program at St. Thomas of classical organ arrangements
by Bach, Dupré, Sweelinck and Duruflé received a standing ovation
and high praise in a review published by the online website Lucid
Culture.
“He may be only a couple of years out of
college, but Stephen Price provided at St. Thomas Church that he’s a
rising star of the organ circuit,” the review observed. “He did it
with a diverse and difficult program which… gave him the opportunity
to showcase his grasp of pretty much everything that’s possible with
a big pipe organ.”
As he now prepares to begin studies this fall for the Doctorate of
Musical Arts in organ performance at Indiana University, Price urged
current students in music and other performing arts programs at
Western to seek out a wide range of educational and cultural
experiences. “My advice is to make the effort to go the extra mile,”
he said, suggesting that students research arts events in cultural
centers from New York and New Haven to Boston. “Take advantage of
every opportunity that WCSU has to offer,” he advised.
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