Issue Date: 2/13/06
Artist in residence celebrates 25 years at Palomar
By Christine Lucas
- Page 1 of 1
Piano professor and artist-in-residence Peter Gach is celebrating his 25th anniversary at Palomar College by performing a trilogy of piano performances commemorating the three aspects of his career at Palomar.
Gach was scheduled to perform the first of his concerts on Feb. 12. The solo recital featured the music of Chopin, one of Gach's favorite composers.
The second performance is on March 5. It will be in accompaniment with former students who have gone on to various musical careers, including two composers, two singers and one percussionist.
The final performance on April 24 will be a lecture recital in which Gach will explain the meaning and significance of the pieces as he plays them.
"The best way for students of music to learn is by the living example of their teacher's playing," Gach said. "It is one thing for me to talk about performing, and quite another to see me actually demonstrate what I'm talking about in my own recitals and appearances."
Gach said the idea for the trilogy came to him last spring when he realized that he had been at Palomar for 25 years.
While on sabbatical last semester, Gach was able to plan for the trilogy as well as finish a CD of Chopin's music, travel to Poland and Turkey and work on his manuscript of performances, which is still in progress.
Gach teaches piano, keyboarding, performance studies, applied music and musical accompaniment at Palomar.
Gach said his love for music started at a young age. He began playing the piano, organ and accordion at the age of eight but settled with the piano by age 18.
"The biggest musical influence in my early years was my aunt," Gach said, "She had a beautiful voice and used to sing for the family."
Gach said he had no idea that an invitation to perform at Palomar's Concert Hour, was the first step in his career as both a professor and artist-in-residence at Palomar.
"My time at Palomar has been an interesting day-to-day experience," Gach said. "Most of my new students weren't born when I started my career at Palomar."
Although hired as an employee to play and perform musical works, Gach said Palomar has always been very open and supportive in his work.
Gach said he has never been asked to conform his artistic talent, been told what to play or not to play, or given any restrictions.
As well as teaching piano in the music department, Gach created and holds the position of artist-in-residence.
Gach said he is able to practice and perform works as well as teach them to his students, which he says he enjoys.
Gach was scheduled to perform the first of his concerts on Feb. 12. The solo recital featured the music of Chopin, one of Gach's favorite composers.
The second performance is on March 5. It will be in accompaniment with former students who have gone on to various musical careers, including two composers, two singers and one percussionist.
The final performance on April 24 will be a lecture recital in which Gach will explain the meaning and significance of the pieces as he plays them.
"The best way for students of music to learn is by the living example of their teacher's playing," Gach said. "It is one thing for me to talk about performing, and quite another to see me actually demonstrate what I'm talking about in my own recitals and appearances."
Gach said the idea for the trilogy came to him last spring when he realized that he had been at Palomar for 25 years.
While on sabbatical last semester, Gach was able to plan for the trilogy as well as finish a CD of Chopin's music, travel to Poland and Turkey and work on his manuscript of performances, which is still in progress.
Gach teaches piano, keyboarding, performance studies, applied music and musical accompaniment at Palomar.
Gach said his love for music started at a young age. He began playing the piano, organ and accordion at the age of eight but settled with the piano by age 18.
"The biggest musical influence in my early years was my aunt," Gach said, "She had a beautiful voice and used to sing for the family."
Gach said he had no idea that an invitation to perform at Palomar's Concert Hour, was the first step in his career as both a professor and artist-in-residence at Palomar.
"My time at Palomar has been an interesting day-to-day experience," Gach said. "Most of my new students weren't born when I started my career at Palomar."
Although hired as an employee to play and perform musical works, Gach said Palomar has always been very open and supportive in his work.
Gach said he has never been asked to conform his artistic talent, been told what to play or not to play, or given any restrictions.
As well as teaching piano in the music department, Gach created and holds the position of artist-in-residence.
Gach said he is able to practice and perform works as well as teach them to his students, which he says he enjoys.