UW to Host Grand Piano Ensemble Concert Honoring Bogard Legacy

The University of Wyoming Department of Music will present a UW piano ensemble concert Saturday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall. The concert is free and open to all.

This landmark performance serves as a formal celebration of the distinguished career and retirement of UW Professor Theresa Bogard, honoring her 30 years of artistic excellence and instructional leadership.

The evening features a sophisticated program designed to showcase the monumental power of the piano ensemble. The repertoire highlights the technical brilliance of multiple-hand arrangements, including high-energy works including William Gillock's "Champagne Toccata," Albert Lavignac's "Galop Marche" and a thrilling rendition of Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" overture.

The concert also explores a global musical landscape, reflecting Bogard's extensive influence. From the rhythmic intensity of Marlos Nobre's "Frevo" and Osvaldo Lacerda's "Brasiliana No. 12" to the jazz-inflected "Blues" by Dave Brubeck and the virtuosic "Paganini Variations" by Witold Lutosławski, the program offers a vibrant journey through classical, jazz and contemporary styles.

This extraordinary event unites nearly 20 distinguished pianists on a single stage, representing the far-reaching impact of Bogard's mentorship. Faculty participants include Bogard, Greg Strampe, Alla Latchininsky, Jiwon Han and Soyeon Kang. Alumni returning to Laramie for this tribute are Dean Zhang, Nona Zakharyan, Helber Fernandes Ribeiro, Mei Lian, Henrique Rabelo, Tarje Grover, Dian Bretones and Francine Cancian. Current graduate students participating are Luciano Filizola, Renato Silva, Junqi Tong, Yeli Lin and Gyejun Baek.

The performance stands as a vibrant testament to the collaborative spirit and artistic excellence that Bogard has fostered at UW, organizers say. By uniting faculty, international alumni and current graduate students on a single stage, the event honors a legacy of teaching and performance that continues to inspire musicians worldwide.