SCOTT CARRELL, pianist
Reviews
"Carrell’s winsome engagement with the audience was a highlight of the experience. His extensive and lively comments, both historical and personal, sparked our curiosity and wonder about the repertoire, and his artistry rose to the occasion: sensitive, perceptive, and energetic interpretations of both familiar and unusual works. His enthusiasm for exploring and freshly discovering piano literature was infectious. The same warm enthusiasm filled his interactions with audience members after the concert." (2022)
~~ Dr. Andrew Sauerwein
Professor of Music and Department Chair
Belhaven University
Jackson, MS
"The audience (more than 150 people) was absolutely stunned not only by his playing but by the way he introduced each number. His introductions, with historical detail, were superb. Additionally his selection of music was terrific; the recital clocked at slightly more than an hour and represented a wide-range of historical selections. Audience members were, of course, particularly impressed with his Scott Joplin and other early 20th century pop tunes. Dr. Carrell was also generous with his time; he attended the reception after the recital and visited with audience members for almost an hour. As I said before, I know you are very much aware of Dr. Carrell and his importance to the Arkansas music scene. However I also thought that it is important to send verification of his outreach and how much we, in Hot Springs Village, appreciate him and his performance and we look forward to his next visit." (2018)
~~ Dr. Richard Jorgensen
Principal Trumpet, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Professor Emeritus of Music and Trumpet
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR
"Each piece was preceded with very insightful comments from Scott, carefully connecting musical information with historical and more general insights that our non-musical audience found extremely interesting. Of course, the icing was his sensitive and virtuosic musicality. I repeat -- Scott Carrell's performance in Hope was entirely positive and we would be happy to host him again in the future. We more than got our money's worth in planning, programming, performance, and personality." (2017)
~~ Mike Malek
Program Chair
Southwest Arkansas Arts Council
Hope, AR
"We were very honored that he included Oklahoma State University on his tour schedule. While the audience was dazzled by his technical brilliance, they were also drawn in by his thoughtful musical interpretation. He was so engaging and knowledgeable as he talked to the audience; students and community members alike felt as though they came away having learned a great deal. It was also a real treat to have the opportunity to hear him perform his own wonderful composition." (2016)
~~ Ms. Heather Lanners
Assistant Professor of Piano
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK
"We were privileged to have your music professor, Dr. Scott Carrell, on our campus at Blue Mountain College in last week for a Master class and a performance. I was able to also get to know him a little as we ate together and visited. I just had to say thanks for allowing Scott to travel and perform during some of his busy season at Harding. His concert was perfectly fitted for our students and guests. His comments at the master class were very appropriate and constructive. It was a very positive experience." (2013)
~~ Dr. L. Darwin Brooks
Assistant Professor of Music
Blue Mountain College
Blue Mountain, MS
"Dr. Scott Carrell was a delight to work with and made his concert a special event for our new Performing Arts Center here in Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. His understanding of presenting a professional setting for his presentation made our total event a wonderful Sunday experience for our attendees. His selection of classical, popular and fun musical numbers kept the audience energized and enthused for the entire concert. Dr. Carrell has a way of involving the audience through insightful conversation and a witty fact about the music he is presenting that keeps you wanting more. The Fairfield Bay community wants to be sure we invite Dr. Scott Carrell back soon, and we will." (2013)
~~ Mr. Robert Thompson
Director
Our Towne Conference and Visitor Center
Fairfield Bay, AR
"Dr. Carrell gave an outstanding program with variety of style representing nearly every period. His most distinguishing musical quality is the ease with which he performs. Dr. Carrell is a natural at the keyboard, giving power, grace, drama and elegance, whatever required by the music. The beauty of a well-shaped melodic line that emerges from the texture and speaks clearly the composers' intentions was handled impeccably. Energy from a relentless, driving rhythm characterized the Ginastera Sonata No. 1 and especially in the fourth movement. Our students were amazed not only at Dr. Carrell's artistry at the piano but his ability to characterize each masterwork with those distinguishing qualities that clearly delineates one composer from another. Dr. Carrell's recital was without question a highlight event for our Keyboard Department this spring semester, and we look forward to his return in the future. " (2009)
~~ Dr. Carol Ann Bell
Associate Professor of Piano
Coordinator of Keyboard Studies
Oklahoma Baptist University
Shawnee, OK
"Monticello enjoyed a truly magical afternoon when Dr. Scott Carrell brought his concert, 'The Magic of the Piano,' to town under the auspices of Southeast Arkansas Concert Association. His program selections were crowd-pleasing and were performed with the virtuosity and audience rapport one has come to associate with Dr. Carrell. It was very evident throughout the afternoon that he loves what he does!" (2008)
~~ James Cathey
Member, Board of Directors
Southeast Arkansas Concert Association
Monticello, AR
"From the opening bars of his first selection, one could easily tell that Dr. Carrell was truly in his element -- thoroughly enjoying himself at the keyboard. And the large crowd that had gathered in the Maddox Fine Arts Center couldn't help but be carried along by Dr. Carrell's expert pianism, for he played with such tremendous verve, spirit, and zest. One aspect of the program that appealed to so many of our music students was the engaging manner in which Dr. Carrell introduced each of his selections. He introduced each number on his program with several interesting points about the composer as well as the particular style of music we would be hearing. In addition, he pointed out several things to listen for in the music itself. So vivid was Dr. Carrell's characterization of this own work Crossings that many students chose it as their favorite number on the program." (2006)
~~ Dr. Christopher Thompson
Associate Professor of Music
Williams Baptist College
Walnut Ridge, AR
"The community of Newport recently enjoyed an excellent performance by Scott Carrell. His concert, 'The Magic of the Piano,' was diverse, enlightening, entertaining and well-received. Of all the performances and events the Iron Mountain Regional Arts Council has presented in recent years, Dr. Carrell is the only performer I recall patrons asking to have back for a repeat performance." (2003)
~~ David Robison
President, Iron Mountain Regional Arts Council
Manager, Newport Independent (newspaper)
Newport, AR
"Scott Carrell performed as part of the Bank of Yellville Concert Series at Arkansas State University Mountain Home in April. We had one of our highest attendances of our concert series at his concert, and response to his performance has been exceptional. Scott presented an entertaining program, filled with spirit and surprises. Our audience ranged in age from eight to eighty. The variety of his selections left everyone impressed with his talent and glad they had attended. Scott is a talented artist and wonderful entertainer, and we look forward to an opportunity for him to return to ASU Mountain Home." (2003)
~~ Dr. Ed Coulter
Chancellor, ASU Mountain Home
Mountain Home, AR
"Dr. Carrell's program covered a wide range of styles, and was truly entertaining. The music faculty and students at OBU have highly praised his musicianship and keyboard technique." (2003)
~~ Dr. Lei Cai
Assistant Professor of Piano
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR
"Dr. Carrell was excellent to work with, and very personable both to me and to the audience, to whom he made appropriate comments as introduction to the selections he played. He was very warmly received, and the variety of compositions he chose provided a good balance of classical, jazz and popular music suitable for an audience of diverse tastes. His humor and energy were contagious, and a number of audience members have requested to again invite him to participate in subsequent series." (2002)
~~ Dr. Ray Moore
Chairman, Arts and Humanities Council
Christ Episcopal Church
Little Rock, AR
"All who came experienced a delightful evening, and were doubly blessed to hear an informational lecture plus a performance of Pictures at an Exhibition of the highest technical quality." (1999)
~~ Libby Buuck
Managing Director, The Old Bedford School
Bedford, TX
"The recital combined moments of reflection and sensitivity with others of exciting technical display. The contrasts in tonal shading in works such as Ravel and Chopin was certainly a most enjoyable aspect of the program and gave our students an excellent example to follow in that regard." (1996)
~~ James Wintle
Director, Musical Arts Series
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK
"On each occasion, his virtuosity was undeniable. His technical passages were flawless. Yet it was his musicianship, in my opinion, that was his most remarkable attribute.... His engaging personality and easy humor quickly established a rapport with the audience at each performance." (1996)
~~ Tom Burkett
Manager, Bluebonnet Brass
Ft. Worth, TX
"Scott combines his natural and developed musical talents at the piano with well-researched lecture sessions presented in an upbeat and interesting fashion. His performances attract patrons from throughout the region, because audiences know that they will be afforded the highest level of classical music entertainment and education." (1994)
~~ Bobbie Jordan
Executive Director, Chrysalis Foundation
Granbury, TX
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