Famed musicologist Celenza to visit APSU November 12th-17th as Acuff Chair of Excellence
November 8, 2014
Clarksville, TN – In 1772, the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn decided to play a little trick on his benefactor, Prince Nikolaus Esterházy. Haydn and the court orchestra had spent months with the overbearing prince at his summer palace, and they were beginning to feel homesick for their families.
That summer, Haydn composed his Symphony No. 45 in F-Sharp minor, known as the “Farewell Symphony,” for the prince.
Anna Harwell Celenza
Several renowned musicians to visit APSU this year as Acuff Chairs of Excellence
September 8, 2014
Clarksville, TN – When Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto first premiered in Prague in October 1791, the famed piece sounded much different than what audiences often hear today.
The composer’s friend, Anton Stadler, used a basset clarinet in that first performance, but the instrument fell out of favor in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Modern performances of the work are simply faint echoes of the how the piece was originally conceived.
Charles Neidich
Acuff Chair of Excellence recipient and Award Winning Writer David Huddle to read at APSU on November 8th
October 29, 2012
Clarksville, TN – Every autumn, the Library of Virginia honors some of the nation’s top writers with its annual Virginia Literary Awards. Previous winners include such noted authors as Richard Bausch, Barbara Kingsolver and Geraldine Brooks.
Earlier this month, the Library presented its 2012 Emyl Jenkins Sexton Literary Award for Fiction to another esteemed writer – Austin Peay State University’s 2012-13 Acuff Chair of Excellence recipient David Huddle.
David Huddle
APSU Acuff Chair of Excellence holder for 2012-13 to be Noted Writer David Huddle
August 30, 2012
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN – Earlier this year, the award-winning writer David Huddle was contacted by Dr. Amy Wright, Austin Peay State University assistant professor of creative writing. Both writers hailed from rural Wythe County, VA, and after a bit of reminiscing about local haunts they both knew, Wright asked Huddle a question.
How would he, a two-time National Endowment of the Arts fellow and author of more than 17 books of poetry, fiction and essays, like to spend a few months this fall and next spring in Clarksville, working with APSU creative writing students? [Read more]
Stellar Theater and Dance Performers to Visit APSU this Year as Acuff Chairs
August 28, 2011
Clarksville, TN – For more than 50 years, Chicago’s famed Second City Theater and School of Improvisation has produced some of the country’s most beloved comedic talents. Its alumni – consisting of luminaries like Bill Murray, John Belushi, Steve Carell and Tina Fey – have gone on to successful careers in movies and television shows such as Saturday Night Live and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
At 7:30pm on October 7th, the group’s touring company will visit Clarksville to perform its hilariously original works on the Austin Peay State University campus.
“They were here four years ago, and the students loved them,” Darren Michael, chair of the APSU Area of Theater and Dance, said. [Read more]
APSU Center of Excellence Celebrates 25 Years with Major Arts Events
August 16, 2010
Chris Burawa, the executive director of the Austin Peay State University Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, looked tired. He sat slumped in a booth at the Einstein Bros. Bagels coffee shop with his Blackberry on the table, and a large poster filled front and back with event listings.
“It’s the Center’s 25th anniversary,” he said, lifting the poster, “and we’re going to have a yearlong celebration.”
Chris Burawa at the 2010 Clarksville Writers' Conference.
