Ouachita alumnus Aaron Harp will be returning to his alma mater on September 17 to perform as a guest artist. The next day, September 18, Harp will also be teaching a master class to interested students.
“I always enjoy being back on campus,” Harp said, “but it’s a special honor to be asked to return as a guest artist. Ouachita is where my love for the art of singing took root, so it will be a treat to perform in McBeth Recital Hall again.”
Harp, a baritone vocalist, graduated from Ouachita in 2007 with a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and later earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas. Harp has performed with several ensembles, which include the Dallas Bach Society, the Denton Bach Society, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and the Orchestra of New Spain. Harp also performed in last semester’s production of Handel’s Messiah alongside the University Concert Choir. He also teaches middle and high school choirs at Northland Christian School in Houston, Texas.
Harp also briefly described his program, emphasizing on the thematic elements he will use.
“My program explores themes of life and death through some of the most beautiful compositions by Bach, Fauré, and Finzi,” Harp said. “The recital closes with 3 spirituals that point us toward our ultimate hope in both life and death that Christ will return and make all things new.”
Regarding his master class, vocal students should even more training in order to improve the foundations of performance.
“In my teaching I emphasize having a solid technical foundation and from there exploring the range of interpretive possibilities in the music,” said Harp.
Harp’s performance on Thursday will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, his two-hour master class will begin at 3 p.m. Both the recital and the master class will be held in McBeth Recital Hall.
