Pianist Scott Carrell to Perform at OBU

By combining artistic playing with informative comments, pianist Scott Carrell will bring the world's greatest music to life in his upcoming recital at Oklahoma Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 26. His recital, titled "The Magic of the Piano," features standard classical works as well as lesser-known masterpieces. The public is invited to attend the performance at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Yarborough Auditorium. 

A native of Texas, Carrell has performed numerous recitals as soloist and as collaborator, including concerto appearances with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra, the Southwestern University Orchestra, the Plainview Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra, the Little Rock Wind Symphony and the Harding University/Community Orchestra. An active chamber musician, he co-founded the Searcy Chamber Music Series and has performed on many of its concerts.

Receiving degrees from Southwestern University, the University of Illinois, and the D.M.A. from the University of North Texas, he studied with internationally-known artists Drusilla Huffmaster, Ian Hobson, and Vladimir Viardo and participated in master classes with Abbey Simon, Gail Delente and Dominique Merlet. The French Piano Institute awarded him a prize for the best performance of a work by Henri Dutilleux at the 1996 FPI Festival in Paris, France.

In 2007, Carrell released a new compact disc, "Ragtime Memories," with pieces in various ragtime style - classic, novelty and player piano styles. Composers represented include Joplin, Scott, Lamb, Confrey, Berlin and others. His previous disc, "Crossings," was released in 2005, including works by Chopin, Debussy, Haydn and Schulz-Evler. It features the world-premiere recording of the title work, an original composition based on a painting by an Arkansas artist.

An active member of the Arkansas State Music Teachers, he has presented sessions at both regional and state conferences and served as the state coordinator for the student composition competition; he began serving as the MTNA South Central Division coordinator in 2004. His judging activities include students at all levels, from local festivals to national competitions. Currently teaching piano, music theory and composition at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., Carrell is in demand as a soloist, collaborative artist, teacher and adjudicator.

A reception will be held following the recital in the Helen Thames Raley Drawing Room.