Philip Shippy — Staff Writer 

Aaron Galloway will perform a cello recital on Nov. 12 in the B.J. Haan Auditorium at Dordt University. He will be performing various works by both historical composers, such as Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann, as well as some modern composers, such as Mark Summer. The recital will begin at 7:30 p.m. 

Galloway is a junior biology and music major at Dordt. He has been practicing the cello since fifth grade, almost 10 years now. He has performed in the Chamber Orchestra and the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra during his time at Dordt, and is the Chamber Orchestra’s principal cellist, according to Dordt’s website. 

While he has gained skill from his years of practice, he still struggles with the more emotional side of music. 

“The hardest part has been performing musically: not just playing the notes, but actually interpreting the music,” Galloway said. “That’s what I’ve grown the most at while at Dordt.”

Despite the challenges, Galloway loves creating music, especially when he isn’t alone.

“[One of the most fulfilling parts has been] just playing with people: collaborating and performing,” Galloway said. “It’s been probably the most enjoyable music-making with my accompanist.” 

At Galloway’s recital, many of his songs will feature piano accompaniment provided by Nancy Vermeer. For one song, he will also play alongside a harpsichord, played by fellow junior Paige Decker. In this piece Galloway’s cello will be equipped with guts strings, which are strings which were used during the Baroque period of music. These strings give the cello a “mellower, softer sound” than normal, Galloway said. 

He will be performing five pieces from different time periods, ranging from the 1700s to the late 20th century. 

His songs range from the sweeping and melodic to the energetic and fun, from jazz to a more classical feel. 

Galloway has been practicing most of these songs since last spring, under his cello teacher Marian Casey. 

His most challenging piece is the Sonata for Piano and Cello in E minor, Op. 38 by Johannes Brahms. 

“The hardest part is probably the length. It’s like 25-30 minutes long probably,” Galloway said. “It’s not the most technically challenging, but again the interpretation side of it and collaborating with the pianist takes a lot of rehearsal.” 

Galloway has decided the Sonata will be his closer, the last song for the night. He will also play Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70 by Robert Schumann, Julie-O by Mark Summer, Reflections by James Stephenson, and the Concerto for Cello in G minor, Movement 2, by Georg Matthias Monn over the course of the night. 

Due to the range of music he will be performing, the recital will do “a good job of displaying the many things that the cello is capable of,” Galloway said. 

Photo credit: Aaron Galloway