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Denison University’s music department will host a concert featuring guest musicians Carey H. Bostian II on the cello and Thomas Karl Loehrke on the piano at 8 p.m., Saturday (Jan. 31) in Burke Recital Hall. The program will showcase the works of Chopin, Beethoven and a composition by Loehrke. Admission is free and open to the public.

Bostian began cello studies at age 13 with Denison Professor Marjorie Chan. Within two years, he played in the Licking County Symphony with Frank Bellino conducting. At 15 he won the principal chair in the Columbus Youth Symphony and had numerous opportunities to play chamber music both at Denison and at the Jefferson Academy of Music in Columbus.

Winner of several contests and competitions including the Columbus Symphony Concerto Competition, Bostian began undergraduate studies in 1985 with Alan Harris at Northwestern University. He then studied at Ohio State University with William Conable earning a bachelor of music in 1993.

Bostian has been in Iowa City, Iowa, since 1993 where he earned a master of fine arts degree in orchestral conducting and a doctorate in cello performance at the University of Iowa. Bostian is currently principal cellist of the Cedar Rapids Symphony, cellist with the CRSO String Quartet and music director of the Iowa City Community String Orchestra. He also has taught at Central, Coe and Grinnell Colleges and spent 2001-02 as the conductor of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra in Appleton, Wis.

Bostian’s father, Richard Lee Bostian, served on the Denison music faculty for 30 years. Both father and son played in recitals frequently, performing many of the great works for piano and cello including the first four of Beethoven’s Sonatas. Along with his father, Bostian has worked with several fine pianists, most notably Nelson Harper, who also serves on the Denison faculty.

Pianist and composer Thomas Karl Loehrke earned his bachelor’s degree in music and applied mathematics from Colorado State University and is completing his doctorate in piano performance and pedagogy at the University of Iowa, studying with Rene Lecuona. Known for his incendiary technique and uncompromising musicianship both as a soloist and in collaboration, he has enjoyed a longtime artistic partnership with Bostian, dating from their early days at Iowa, with their performances frequently including their signature piece, Loehrke’s “Three Preludes for Cello and Piano.”

In addition to the performance at Denison, Bostian and Loehrke’s program of the Chopin Sonata, Beethoven’s D major Sonata, and the Loehrke Preludes will be performed at Ohio State University, St. Cloud State University, Coe College and in Iowa City.

CALENDAR LISTING – Denison University, Granville: A guest artist recital featuring musicians Carey H. Bostian II on cello and Thomas Karl Loehrke on piano; 8 p.m., Saturday (Jan. 31) in Burke Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Contact (740) 587-6220 to confirm information