Dr. Marguerite Bostonia discovered Arvo Pärt’s music when
she was preparing to do research for her doctorate at West
Virginia University.
She found one of his organ works on the shelf, and was intrigued by this composer whose music she knew nothing about. Through her research, she learned and heard quite a lot about Pärt and music.
She’s now written several papers about Pärt’s music, and
she’s traveled to conferences to present them, including one where she met the
composer.
Next week, she travels to Canterbury,
England to
present her paper “Bells and beyond: How tintinnabuli reflect meaning and
iconic structures”at the Baltic Music and Musicologies Conference, at which Arvo Pärt will the guest composer in residence.
Dr. Bostonia and I spoke this week about her research and
the appeal of Arvo Pärt’s music. You can hear our full conversation here:
Dr. Marguerite Bostonia tslks about Arvo Pärt
When she returns, we hope to catch up and share some of her
stories and pictures from the conference.
Previous Classically
Speaking posts about Arvo Pärt:
* Arvo Pärt Playlist (Happy 75!)
* Arvo Pärt Portrait: Angèle Dubeau interview
More about Dr. Marguerite
Bostonia:
Marguerite Bostonia, D.M.A, has devoted a
lifetime to church music as an organist, organ teacher, conductor, soloist, and
accompanist. As a founding member of the local chapter of the American Guild of
Organists, she has coordinated various introductory sessions to pipe organ in
the community. One of these classes is “Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza” offered both
privately and in the Community Arts Program, to help people of all ages learn
about the “King of Instruments.”
She has also assisted in renovations of church
pipe organs. Her experience with tower bell renovations was incorporated into
her recent dissertation about the tintinnabuli style of contemporary composer
Arvo Pärt. A native West Virginian, Marguerite received performance degrees in
piano and organ from West Liberty State College and West Virginia University,
and was the final candidate to receive a doctorate in organ under Dr. William
Haller. As a member of Tre Claviers, Marguerite is part of a keyboard trio that
has presented choral and solo programs in West Virginia,
Pennsylvania, and Michigan
using organ, piano, and harpsichord. She currently is on the keyboard and
theory faculty of West Virginia Wesleyan
College where she also accompanies
opera workshop.