Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Pianist Dr. Andrew Parr, former music professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, has joined the faculty of the Music Preparatory Division, announced Alba Madrid, director of the Music Prep program.
Parr brings more than 45 years of piano performance and teaching experience to the preparatory program where his wife, Linda, also teaches piano.
“We are extremely excited to have Dr. Parr join our wonderful team of teachers at Music Prep,” Madrid said. “His experience and expertise will surely enhance the learning opportunities available to students, and it’s wonderful that he is so eager to share his knowledge with the community. The students and staff at Music Prep will greatly benefit from his presence, and he will make a positive impact on the school’s culture and educational environment.”
Parr retired from full-time teaching in 2021, but he has continued musical activities as organist for First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches and now as an instructor with Music Prep.
“When Alba asked me if I’d be interested in joining the Music Prep faculty, I hesitated briefly, having enjoyed my 2021 retirement from full time teaching in the SFA School of Music,” Parr said. “But I also knew the important role Prep has played for 40 years in bringing quality music instruction to the region.
“My own childhood background in music training was unfortunately quite weak,” he said, “and I needed to play ‘catch up’ for many years when I finally was able to study with excellent teachers. The early years are formative, and I am looking forward to giving some young students the strong start that I was not able to have. Students of all ages are fun to teach, if they have a true love for music and the desire to learn.”
A native of Ohio, Parr furthered his musical education at Kent State University, the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna, Austria, and at Yale University, earning both the Master and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. He joined the music faculty at SFA in 1983 and, in addition to teaching, performed extensively in solo, chamber and concerto settings.
Some highlights have been performances of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major with the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra; the Aaron Copland Piano Concerto with the Belgrade Philharmonic in the former Yugoslavia; and Frédéric Chopin's Concerto No. 2 in F Minor on tour with the San Antonio Symphony. For over 10 years he was a member of the Sylvan Chamber Ensemble, a piano trio listed on the Texas Commission of the Arts touring roster, and he continues to perform in a duo-piano team with his wife.
Parr has presented guest recitals and master classes at universities in Texas, regionally and in international venues. He has served on the piano faculty at the Vienna Piano Academy in Vienna, Austria, and helped to create the First International Piano Camp for piano students in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In summer 2016, he was included among the artist faculty of the Interharmony Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy, and the following November, he served on the jury of the Second International Iberoamericano Competition for Young Pianists, held in Santo Domingo. Most recently, Parr was invited to return to present a solo recital and master classes at two universities in Hong Kong, and also to teach master classes at the Central Conservatory and Renmin University of China in Beijing, as well as in Datong, People’s Republic of China.
For more information about Music Prep programs, contact Madrid at musicprep@sfasu.edu, or call (936) 468-1291. The Music Prep House is located at 3028 Raguet St.