Pepperdine’s resident guitar virtuoso to begin teaching a master class.
By Jovita McLeod
Staff Writer
Too often, master classes are masterful in name only. True masters of an art are, by their very nature, quite rare. One who is gracious enough to share his knowledge with young learners is even harder to find.
On Saturday, Pepperdine will break that trend; the university will offer an audition to be in a master class in classical guitar taught by a truly talented musician.
Christopher Parkening, a world-renowned classical guitarist and a distinguished professor of guitar at Pepperdine University, will share his talent and technique in a class of students who have auditioned to participate in it.
Parkening, who became famous at a very young age for playing classical guitar, has received numerous awards and recognitions for his art. These accolades include the American Academy of Achievement Award for his excellence in classical guitar, the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Southern California and an Honorary Doctorate from Montana State University.
He has performed throughout the world, including with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and at Carnegie Hall’s 100th Anniversary. Parkening was also added to “Guitar Player” magazine’s “Gallery of Greats,” where he joined one of his inspirations, classical guitarist Andrés Segovia.
Parkening moved his act to Pepperdine in the fall of 2002. He is an appreciated addition to the university and holds the Christopher Parkening Chair in Classical Guitar.
Of course, Parkening is known worldwide and would have been a valuable addition to many other schools that would have liked to have him teach at their institutions.
“UCLA was very interested in him,” said Sara Banta, a professor of music at Pepperdine. “They thought they had him on the dotted line, so to speak.”
But Parkening heard about Pepperdine from a friend. “He came to visit and 10 days later that was it,” Banta said. The accomplished guitarist, a Christian, decided he liked Pepperdine’s philosophy better, which included a central Christian mission.
Parkening keeps a busy schedule of performing and teaching. He teaches five guitar students at Pepperdine who were accepted after auditioning for the opportunity to study under his expertise. These five students are guaranteed a spot in Parkening’s master class Tuesday.
People from outside of Pepperdine can audition for the master classes as well. The auditions for November’s master class are over, but the next class will be offered March 20.
Banta said the master class is “wonderful.” She said the music department has been trying to think of ways to present Parkening to the public for some time. Now at least one master class taught by Parkening will be offered every semester.
Students who would like to participate can send tapes or CDs to Banta care of the Fine Arts Division. Any audition material should be sent at least one month prior to the class. However, a certain level of skill is needed to make the cut. “You can’t just come in and say I want to study with Mr. Parkening,” said Banta. “Having studied enough years so you have gotten to a certain point is necessary.”
The class will be held in Raitt Recital Hall. Although only those who have previously auditioned for the class will be part of the instruction, anyone who wants to watch can purchase tickets. The tickets cost $6 for Pepperdine students and $25 for others.
October 30, 2003