Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo
Elizabeth Grimpo is professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska. She teaches Aural Skills I-IV, Music Appreciation, Beauty in the Fine Arts, and upper-level piano lessons. She performs regularly with student musicians as well as the choral ensembles, touring with the University A Cappella Choir. She also teaches music for Trinity Academy at Concordia University, a classical liberal arts high school in Seward, Nebraska. In addition to teaching, she performs regularly as a solo and collaborative pianist, performing music from the classical repertoire and newly composed sacred music. She has written multiple volumes of graded settings of hymns and the liturgy, published by David’s Harp – A Center for Musical Development. In 2015, she received the student nominated Teacher of the Year award at Concordia’s commencement ceremony. In 2023, she was inducted into the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame in New York City.
Theme and Variation: How a Common Musical Form Can Illustrate the Christian Life
Composers have used theme and variation form for centuries. Though this formal structure is simple, recognizable, and versatile, it allows for much musical creativity. In this form, numerous compositional techniques are used to vary, but never bury, the main theme, resulting in a wide variety of textures and moods as the music progresses. After discussing the essence of theme and variation form, this presentation will explore the parallels between this formal structure and the Christian life from two perspectives: first, that we are made in the image of God and we bear His name; and second, that in this journey of life, where our earthly future is unknown and where challenges and joys come and go, God will never leave us. The presentation will conclude with a performance of the piano variations on Come un’ Agnello (a tune from an opera by Giuseppe Sarti, 1729-1802), K. 460, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791).