Feb. 9: Music historian speaks on the man behind George Gershwin's music

VCU music historian Patrick Smith will speak Feb. 9 at noon in Room 250 of James Branch Cabell Library as part of the ongoing exhibition, "Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 1910-1965," on view through Feb. 24 in Cabell Library. 

His talk will explore the personal side of George Gershwin's career in music. From his early days as a pianist at home, to his "big break" working in a piano roll factory, to his successful collaborations with his brother, Ira, among other notables, this presentation will summarize the lifelong achievements of George Gershwin along and cast a humanistic tint on this pillar of American popular music.

Patrick Smith, Ph.D., is assistant professor of horn and music history in the VCU Department of Music. He is an accomplished performer who has played with numerous musical ensembles, including the American Chamber Winds and the Emerson String Quartet, and is also president elect of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors and the Virginia representative of the International Horn Society. His biography of Julius Watkins, the great American jazz French horn musician, is forthcoming.