St. Joseph’s University, New York President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., is set to host two presidential recitals featuring the work of Claude Debussy and Gabriel Fauré this spring.
“Harmonies de France: A Celebration of the Music of Debussy and Fauré” will take place on the Long Island Campus Thursday, April 4, and at the Brooklyn Campus on Tuesday, April 9.
Both performances are part of the University’s Spring Concert Series and will occur during Common Hour, beginning at 12:40 p.m. A classically trained pianist, Dr. Boomgaarden conducts a recital at both campuses each spring and performs music at numerous other University-related events throughout the year.
On the Long Island Campus, the event will take place in the Muriel and Virginia Pless Center for Performing Arts, while the Brooklyn Campus event will be inside the Tuohy Hall Auditorium. Both events are free and open to the public.
Dr. Boomgaarden will provide an historical background on the creation of the pieces of work he’ll perform, including Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” and “Rêverie,” while leading a discussion on their importance in the history of music. He will also discuss how the music of the French impressionists has influenced popular culture over the past century.
Accomplished soprano Veronica Kaninska, assistant teaching professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies as well as Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University, will join Dr. Boomgaarden during his performances.
