Dr. Philip Schuessler, theory and composition instructor, and Dr. Richard Schwartz, 
former university saxophone and jazz instructor, performed a duet concert
in promotion of the CD 'Embers.'
The Lions Roar / Megan Simon

Current and former Southeastern professors debut their first collaboration CD “Embers,” which embodies the new musical styles and expressions of contemporary music.

Dr. Philip Schuessler, theory and composition instructor, on piano and Dr. Richard Schwartz, former university saxophone and jazz instructor, on saxophone, performed and promoted their soon to be released CD, “Embers,” in Ralph R. Pottle Auditorium last Tuesday night.

Along with Schuessler and Schwartz, Dr. Stephen Suber, professor of music, and Dr. Kari Besharse, lecturer of theory, served as contributing composers to “Embers.” There is also a piece composed by Ray Pizzi on the CD, but it was played by Schwartz at the concert. Almost all pieces featured on the CD are contemporary, which Schuessler described as adventurous music.

“There’s a lot of different kinds of contemporary music,” said Schuessler. “It doesn’t just fit one style. A lot of the contemporary music, particularly the kind you heard tonight, is more dissonance music or A-tonal. You don’t have the traditional music progressions you usually hear.”

The opening composition for the night was the title piece “Embers,” written by Besharse.

“My visual image of ‘Embers’ has to do with flickering types of sounds,” said Besharse. “For the piece, I actually used a lot of metallic sounds, like bells. I looked at the structure of the sound bells make.”

It took a year for the CD to be finalized. According to Schuessler, the making of the CD was a group effort and a product of everyone wanting their work recognized.

“We were playing one of the pieces at a concert, and after, we started brainstorming at dinner,” said Schuessler. “[We thought] we should put together these great compositions. It seemed like the time was right; everybody wanted to do it. It was a labor of love.” 

In addition to promoting the soon-to-be released CD, Schuessler hoped this concert would also expose both music and non-music majors to the sounds of contemporary music.

“We got a lot of students here, saxophone players, piano players and others, who’ve never heard this kind of music or have limited exposure to it,” said Schuessler. “So we wanted to bring an awareness to it. It’s underperformed around the South. I feel like the more people hear and get used to the sound, the more they will enjoy it. I think the music today, especially by living composers is important to compose and bring to the floor.” 

“Embers” is set for release in February. For more information, contact Schuessler at [email protected].