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University Daily Kansan Tuesday. March 14, 1961
Accompanist Tells Tour Experiences
By Kelly Smith
"Piano accompanists have many experiences to clutch about, and I've had my share too I guess.
"One night I arrived at the theater to find a piano with no pedals. Naturally I inquired as to their whereabouts, and was told the pedals were at a music store 50 miles away. But as the saying goes, 'the show must go on.'"
GEORGE TROVILLO relaxed on the small dressing room sofa and continued to answer the reporter's questions thoughtfully and politely. Mr. Trovillo is the piano accompanist for Roberta Peters, and performed with the soprano at her recital last night in Hoch Auditorium.
"I remember another night we performed a concert at St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, and I went out on stage to find the upper two octaves a puddle of water due to a leak above the stage.
"I brushed the water off and played a very sticky concert the first half of the program. But they stuck together during the second part so I had to play everything two octaves lower.
"JUST RECENTLY in Dayton a bat flew around in the auditorium during the concert until the last of the program when, just as Roberta was singing a high D flat, a loud thud resounded from back stage. The stage hands had killed the bat. Needless to say the audience enjoyed the added attraction.
"By the way, I graduated from KU, from the School of Fine Arts in '36. I did a lot of accompanying while I was here at the University. I suppose I've always thought about entering the field of music."
"Now I accompany several concert artists. For instance, I've been with Eileen Farrell now for 10 years, and with Roberta (Peters) for six. I play for them both during the season, as well as others
such as Jan Peerce, James Melton, Jusi Bjoerling, and Gladys Swarthout before she retired.
"OF COURSE, entering any professional field is difficult. Piano accompanists audition for singers. Not only do you have to be able to play, but your personality, appearance and general temperament are taken into consideration.
"Yes, I live in New York City. I never have two days alike, or even two successive weeks alike.
"The concert season runs from September through May. This is spent rehearsing with singers, going on tour and coaching voice students.
"As for the concert singers I've worked with, they've been delightful, really enjoyable people. Perhaps I've been lucky."
"OUR TOURS are usually two to three weeks and we travel by plane. Most of our concerts are in the East, the South and the Midwest.
"Before each concert I check the stage, the lighting, and the piano, which obviously pays off such as the 'no pedal' instance.
"For some reason people seem to think a singer can perform with almost any accompaniment. They seldom consider how valuable the piano is to her performance, or how much it adds to the concert.
"WHEREAS PEOPLE kill themselves finding a suitable piano for a piano concert, they don't usually look past the stage door for one for a singer."
Noticing the time, Mr. Trovillo rose, thanked the reporter, and excused himself. He walked from the dressing room to the wings, backstage, smiled at the janitors, then proceeded to help one of them roll a long sheet of white paper out across the stage to protect Miss Peters' dress. "Getting ready," he said.
Official Bulletin
Items for the Official Bulletin must be brought to the public relations office, 231 Strong, before 9:30 a.m. on the day of publication. Do not bring Bulletin to work. Only Kansan. Notices should include name, place, date, and time of function.
Catholic Daily Mass: 6:30 a.m. (Every
Mama Day) Church, St. John's
Church, Lilith & Kentucky
Men Students interested in applying for counselor's positions in the men's residence halls for next year may obtain an application from the office of the Dean of Students. 228 Strong Hall. Due March 28.
Episcopal Evening Prayer: 5 p.m.
Canterbury House. (Week days)
TODAY
Humanities Forum: 7:30 p.m. Jayhawk Room, Union. Kenneth S. Rothwell, Assistant Director. The Anglican Myster End Resisted. The Anglican Fathers and "Stage-Play or Masquerade."
Naval Reserve Research Co. 9-20: 7:30 p.m.
Marine Science NARAD Films, CNO 3-19, 4-59
CNO 3-19, 4-59
Teachers Appointment Interviews: 117
Bailey. Interviewers from Long Beach,
Calif. (Elem. thru Jr. Coll.). Mil-
fort. (Elem. & Sec.). Strookton.
Calif. (Elem. & Sec.).
TOMORROW
Business Placement Bureau Job Interviews: 202 Summerfield, Register with Director Dana W. Stevens. Interviewers will be Commerce Trust Co.; Mead Johnson and Co.; U.S. Public Health Service; Campbell Sales Co.; Boeing Airplane Co.
Presidents of All Organizations: Report of the Organization. Sept. 15, at Deen of Men's Office.
Owl Society Membership Applications by interested second semester sophomore or first semester junior men are due by 4:30 p.m. at Dept. of Psychology, SOUTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, sojuengr.edu; meerdt
Le Cerule francais se reunira mercredi
Vanity is the cause of a great deal of virtue in men; the vainest are those who like to be thought respectable. —Sir Arthur Wing Pinero
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PHILADELPHIA-NEW YORK EXPRESS
We have chartered a 40-passenger Greyhound bus to Philadelphia and New York from KU and back during Easter vacation. The price will be $46, round-trip. You may take as much luggage as you want. For further information call Howard Cohen, 640 J.R.P., any night after six.
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11 a.m., 300 p.m., 311 Marvin. Everyone welcome.
Methodist Student Center Community Worship: 9:15 p.m.
Episcopal Holy Communion: 9:30 p.m.
Danforth Chapel.
we believe no evil 'till the evil's done. —Jean de la Fontaine
JIM'S CAFE 838 Mass. GOOD FOOD DAY and NIGHT
YOUR MONEY
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Kansas' Athlete of the Week BILL BRIDGES
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