Author: gillpianostudio

Barbara Bryner Gill--Whether playing the piano or singing, Barbara has always enjoyed making music. She holds two music degrees from the University of Utah: a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, and a Master of Arts in Musicology. While attending the University of Utah her teachers included Barlow Bradford, Gladys Gladstone Rosenberg, and Vedrana Subotic.

Barbara regularly performs in the community, and has played for weddings, ceremonies, and special events for over a decade. She has been a choir member of the Utah Chamber Artists since 1999 and is also the Librarian and Administrative Assistant. In addition to teaching private piano lessons and musicianship classes, Barbara has been involved in arts administration holding positions such as the Administrative Coordinator for the Maurice Abravanel Visiting Distinguished Composers Series, and the Marketing Assistant for the Virtuoso Series at the University of Utah. Barbara is also involved in the Salt Lake Piano Competition.

An active member of the Utah Music Teachers Association, Barbara is a past president of the Jordan River chapter. She is Nationally Certified through the Music Teachers National Association and received her Permanent Professional Certified Teacher of Music status in 2015. Her students participate in a variety of performing experiences including the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) festivals. Barbara and her husband have three boys and a girl (named after a concert hall).

Performances

Halloween Recital

What a beautiful venue the Bountiful Davis Art Center is! It has been 11 years since I did a recital where students could dress up in costumes. I remember I was pregnant with my first child and he turns 11 this week.

Whatever happens in performance, it is important to remember that it is a snapshot of what we could do in that very moment. Sometimes it turns out great, adrenaline and all. Sometimes, it’s not-so-great. One way to avoid the not-so-great performance is to know the form of the piece and have many starting spots to move forward in the piece. Another helpful tool is to perform multiple little performances before the “big” performance.

If I had stopped playing the piano after those not-so-great performances I would not enjoy making music today.

Tags Recitals

Music Community

Lang Lang & the Utah Symphony’s 75th Anniversary

Post author By gillpianostudio
Post date October 14, 2015
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I heard Lang Lang play not one concerto, but two for the Utah Symphony’s 75th Anniversary Gala. What a performer! I think he can play pppp and still project to the back of the hall. He played a Mozart piano concerto and the Grieg piano concerto. I love attending concerts. The Grieg concerto had such soothing melodies and I always feel a surge when the strings play passages in unison or at the climactic points!

I was so happy to see that he was greeting people in a reception afterward. I took him to Temple Square when he was 19 years old and came to play for the Virtuoso Series at Libby Gardner Concert Hall (maybe back in 2000 or 2001). I helped Becky Durham with marketing, concert production, hospitality (picking up guest artists at the airport), and whatever else she thought of. I never got a photo and although he remembered coming to Utah to play, I don’t think he remembered me.

Long live Lang Lang!

Incentives

Treasure Given for Piano Pirates

Post author By gillpianostudio
Post date September 8, 2015
No Comments on Treasure Given for Piano Pirates

I’m happy to report that all the students that began the Piano Pirates incentive made it to their treasure (gift card/$5). Congratulations to everyone! I did hear of reports that the Activities for Ice Cream Challenge is still a favorite, so maybe next year it will re-appear.

Uncategorized

I got LASIK!

In June I had LASIK surgery and have been loving playing the piano again. I was having a hard time reading my music, looking up at the music and down at my hands. My vision in one eye was -10.25 because of my astigmatism! My eyes are still healing, but I am loving it.

Now to get a new headshot!

Music Community

88 Hours for 88 Keys

I’m posting some pictures of the Bountiful Davis Art Center’s play-a-thon last weekend. My son and I were able to participate as players and I was a team lead from Sunday, 10 PM to Monday, 2 AM. I didn’t think anyone would sign up for those late night times and I would get to practice, but it turns out that Doc Lloyd Miller (Jazz legend), my friend’s brother and her niece as well as another Bountiful local took those time slots. At least I was able to play on Friday morning and Harrison played on Sunday (7:40 AM)!

I’m excited to have such a classy venue and fabulous instrument for performing! It will be a great addition to my studio recitals. Every time we pass the center I will think, “I played a small part in getting a great instrument to the stage” and I hope others that contributed will feel the same. Great music and art, side by side. What could be better? Oh yes, let’s add “great food.” If you missed it, you can still contribute by visiting http://www.bdac.org, then click on the piano tab.

Federation

Best of Federation Recital

Post author By gillpianostudio
Post date March 30, 2015
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Damon and Quinn were chosen this year to perform on the Best of Federation Recital, held March 26 at Bountiful Music. I’m glad they were chosen to represent themselves and my studio. The sunshine Kawai is definitely a surprise! I know they were wowed with the many fabulous pieces that were chosen as well. I always think it is a great idea to hear others perform and hear what others are doing to develop their talents.

Last year Ben was chosen to perform.

Incentives

Two More Earn Texas Donuts

Post author By gillpianostudio
Post date March 25, 2015
No Comments on Two More Earn Texas Donuts

Congratulations to Trevin & Lainey. Those donuts are huge! I hope you shared with your mom!

Tags Tallies

Performing

Spring Recital (Solo Festival Pieces)

Post author By gillpianostudio
Post date March 11, 2015
No Comments on Spring Recital (Solo Festival Pieces)

I hesitated to call my studio recital a spring recital since it snowed (finally) at the beginning of the week. Thanks to Jackie W. for playing a piano duet and duo with me: Le pas Espagnole, from Dolly, Op.56 by Faure and the Rondo from Double Concerto in E-flat Major, K.365 by Mozart.

I took a photo of Wolfgang Wesemann at the piano as well. He added onto his home and calls his recital hall “Wolfgang’s Konzert Haus.”

Since this recital was in preparation for the solo festival of Federation, I’ll post the junior pledge: I acknowledge my indebtedness to good music; I know that the music of a nation inspires or degrades; I realize that acquaintance with great music instills a love of that which brings courage and lofty ideals and tends toward clean, noble living. I promise to do all in my power to make America truly musical.

Incentives