Associate Professor of Music Gina Gillie, who teaches horn at Pacific Lutheran University, spent the 2015-16 academic year growing her teaching, composing and performing repertoire.
In the fall, Gillie gave a lecture and performance at the International Horn Symposium in Los Angeles, traveled to the University of Louisiana to perform and lecture, and helped with numerous soundtrack recordings, including a piece for the popular online video game World of Warcraft. She also composed two pieces: Trio for Brass and Horn Quartet No. 1. The former was just accepted and published by Veritas Musica Publishing and Horn Quartet No. 1 will be performed at her faculty recital Oct. 2 in Lagerquist Concert Hall.
After seven years at PLU, Gillie took this first sabbatical following her tenure appointment. One of her primary goals during the teaching break was to visit classrooms of horn professors around the country and get exposed to different methods and styles.
“Observing the teaching of others exposed me to new materials to use in lessons, new repertoire to offer students (and play myself), and unique approaches to working with a variety of students,” Gillie said.
She visited five universities, balancing these visits with her own performance schedule. She is an active performer in the Northwest and her sabbatical allowed her more time to participate and perform for Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and the Vashon Opera.
In the fall, she held the first PLU High School Brass Workshop for local high school students, with the help of other PLU faculty and the Lyric Brass Quintet.
“It was my goal to bring students to PLU to participate in a day of learning and playing as an educational experience and recruitment opportunity,” Gillie said. “It was a rousing success, and we plan to continue this event in future years.”
Gillie returned to campus this fall, with new compositions, inspirations and lessons from her sabbatical year.
PLU, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. (Photo: John Froschauer/PLU)
By Genny Boots ’18