On Sept. 21, the vibrant sounds of George Gershwin were brought to life in the Hoag Auditorium on the University of North Georgia’s Dahlonega campus from 7:30 – 10:30 pm. Audience members were treated to a solo piano concert performed by Dr. Joe Chapman, Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Studies at the university, as part of the concert entitled, “A Night with Gershwin.” The event honored the centennial of “Rhapsody in Blue,” which has been considered by Chapman to be one of Gershwin’s most iconic works.
Chapman, who has been teaching at UNG since 1983, shared the significance of Gershwin’s music. “Gershwin is one of the top jazz composers of the 20th century,” he said. He also emphasized that the concert’s purpose was to highlight the composer’s unique style. He combines the structure of classical music with the rhythms and energy of jazz. The performance featured well-known works like “Strike Up the Band,” “Swanee” and “Somebody Loves Me.” Chapman included lesser-known pieces such as “Rialto Ripples,” which Gershwin wrote as a teenager.
Chapman explained that “Rhapsody in Blue” was first performed in 1924 and held a special place in the concert due to its 100th anniversary. “I’ve performed this piece at least 50 or 60 times,” he said. “It’s probably my favorite piece of all.”
He went on to describe how Gershwin’s compositions, though meticulously scored like classical works, incorporate jazz elements that distinguish them. “The rhythms are syncopated, making you want to dance,” Chapman added.
Chapman said that when selecting the lineup for the concert, Gershwin’s range of music for solo piano allowed him to create a program that reflected the composer’s versatility. Chapman performed several of Gershwin’s song transcriptions.
These compositions were originally written for vocals and later arranged by Gershwin for piano. These included “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise,” “Sweet and Low Down” and “The Man I Love.”
“These pieces are not easy to play, but they’re really cool because Gershwin himself did the arrangements. And the piano is the one instrument that’s designed where, you know, it can be by itself.” – Dr. Joe Chapman, Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Studies at UNG
Reflecting on his 41 years at UNG, Chapman said, “Teaching and performing are the two things I really love to do. I considered pursuing a career as a full-time performer but I also love teaching.” His dedication to both has made him a fixture at the university for decades.
Audience members responded positively to the performance. Chapman received both a standing ovation and a plethora of encouraging words. Piper Spraker, a senior music major and student of Chapman’s, said, “It was one of the most incredible performances of my life. I could really feel all of the emotion and intensity coming off of the music.”
Brody Durany, a sophomore history major, shared that it was the first concert he had ever attended at the university. “I didn’t expect to enjoy the music as much as I did, but it really surprised me. I’d definitely love to see more events like this,” he said.
Chapman has more performances planned for the coming months, including several concerts featuring more of Gershwin’s works and another solo concert scheduled for April 10, 2025. The program for that event has not yet been finalized.
