Spring Break
UA phenom honored with new endowment
Robert Garner
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: Life & Style
Jura Margulis, UA professor of applied piano, has been selected as the inaugural holder of the Emily J. McAllister Endowed Professorship in Piano.
"I am thrilled to be the inaugural holder of the McAllister Endowed Professorship in Piano," Margulis said. "It will enable us to make some very exciting things happen in the piano program here at the U of A."
The purpose of the endowed professorship is to "build a student-centered and nationally competitive piano performance program, offering piano students a broad education and preparing them for a professional future in the field of music," Margulis said.
The gift comes from a Memphis couple who are UA alums and who share a passion for music and a love for the UA.
Emily Joyce and J.W. McAllister donated the money to give back to the university.
"We are grateful to the McAllisters for establishing this new professorship," said chancellor-elect David Gearhart.
"Our university deeply values the fine arts, and I love to hear stories of students who make a living from their passion, much like Emily has done," Gearhart said. "Her enthusiasm for music is contagious."
"If I can help in any way to promote or advance the music program at the university, I'm delighted to do so," Emily McAllister said. "My studies at the university provided the foundation for a most fulfilling and enjoyable career in music."
Emily McAllister studied music at the UA, focusing on piano and organ, according to a press release.
Since the age of 15, she has served as a church organist. J.W. McAllister is now retired and formerly served as the vice president of Harrah's Entertainment Inc., according to the press release.
Russian-born Margulis serves as the UA piano instructor in addition to performing both solo and with a great number of various ensembles.
He found his way to the U.S. to study with the internationally renowned Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Md., he said.
"I am thrilled to be the inaugural holder of the McAllister Endowed Professorship in Piano," Margulis said. "It will enable us to make some very exciting things happen in the piano program here at the U of A."
The purpose of the endowed professorship is to "build a student-centered and nationally competitive piano performance program, offering piano students a broad education and preparing them for a professional future in the field of music," Margulis said.
The gift comes from a Memphis couple who are UA alums and who share a passion for music and a love for the UA.
Emily Joyce and J.W. McAllister donated the money to give back to the university.
"We are grateful to the McAllisters for establishing this new professorship," said chancellor-elect David Gearhart.
"Our university deeply values the fine arts, and I love to hear stories of students who make a living from their passion, much like Emily has done," Gearhart said. "Her enthusiasm for music is contagious."
"If I can help in any way to promote or advance the music program at the university, I'm delighted to do so," Emily McAllister said. "My studies at the university provided the foundation for a most fulfilling and enjoyable career in music."
Emily McAllister studied music at the UA, focusing on piano and organ, according to a press release.
Since the age of 15, she has served as a church organist. J.W. McAllister is now retired and formerly served as the vice president of Harrah's Entertainment Inc., according to the press release.
Russian-born Margulis serves as the UA piano instructor in addition to performing both solo and with a great number of various ensembles.
He found his way to the U.S. to study with the internationally renowned Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Md., he said.
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