Courtesy of the School of Music

(left to right) Dr. John Botes, Dr. Şőlen Dikener and Dr. Wendell Dobbs

“I want my students to be inspired,” Dr. Şőlen Dikener, a professor at the University’s School of Music, said. “I hope today’s show gave them good memories, quality time and a little curiosity.”

Dikener is a part of a musical trio that features two other faculty members, Dr. Wendell Dobbs and Dr. Johan Botes. 

The three musicians performed together on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the Jomie Jazz Center where they performed in a concert called the “Musical Family” that welcomed students and the public. 

“We have played together many times before,” Dikener said. “We found each other a long time ago and decided it was a good combination because there is one of each instrument. There is one wind instrument, the flute; one string instrument, the cello; and a keyboard instrument, the piano.” 

Their program featured three composers: J.S. Bach, Johann N. Hummel and Louise Farrenc. 

“Our featured female composer, Louise Farrenc, makes this concert special because it was uncommon for the time of the eighteen hundreds to have a female composer with wonderful first-class music,” Dikener said. “We are happy to have discovered her music, and we are inspired to play more of it.”

The three professors  usually perform at least once a semester as a trio. 

“We try to do a concert early in the fall before schedules get busy for students and staff,” Dobbs said. “However, Dr. Dikener and Johan will play together again later in September.” 

Dobbs is also a member of two orchestras in the Huntington area, the Ohio Valley Symphony and the Huntington Symphony. He will perform with these symphonies in September and October. 

Before the concert came to a close, Dikener made a dedication to his aunt, who passed away from COVID-19, as it was the third anniversary of her death. 

“This concert happened to be the same day as the anniversary. so I could not help but think of her,” Dikener said.

He also said that he hopes that other listeners thought of their loved ones as well during the performance.

The School of Music will  host its next concert on Thursday, Oct. 5, which will feature the Wind Symphony/Symphonic Band.