Dr. Gary Haynes performs for Lakehill's Lower School.
On December 14, just before the holiday parties, Lakehill Preparatory Lower School students were treated to a special concert by fourth grade teacher Dr. Gary Haynes. A noted composer, Haynes holds a PhD in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Minnesota. He also holds degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder and Hastings College.
Dr. Haynes has written a wide variety of music, including works for chorus and orchestra, song cycles for voice and orchestra, song cycles for voice and piano, five collections of works for solo piano, 11 works for saxophone quartets and octets, and other instrumental works.
His works have received performances throughout the United States, and in Canada, England, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Italy, Norway, and the former Soviet Union. His music has been described as "wonderfully lyrical, rhapsodic pieces, conceived in a dissonant harmonic idiom that revolves around strictly-controlled tonal centers."
An important focus of the fourth grade year is students sharing their achievements with their classmates. After discussing with his fourth graders how it is often difficult to share these accomplishments and perform in front of a crowd, he decided to set an example by sharing his own talents. "I always knew he was more than just a fourth grade teacher, and it was really exciting to see him perform today," said fourth grader Ian Johnston. "The music was very different. I really liked it."
Applications for the 2018-19 school year are due January 12, 2018. Find out more about Lakehill here.