One Texas State professor has performed on stages spanning across six continents.
Ian Davidson, oboe player and Regents’ and University Distinguished Professor, has been an instructor and prominent musician at the university for the past 24 years.
Davidson said he has had multiple recognitions and honors throughout his musical career, including the title of Regents’ Professor and multiple theatrical recordings such as Spy Kids II.
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Ian Davidson, oboist, performs Oct. 7 in the music building.
“I think there are a lot of opportunities,” Davidson said. “But I think one of the things that stands out the most to me is being able to play with my students during student music tours, because they don’t usually get to see me play.”
Davidson said his musical passion came from his mother, who was a pianist and exposed him to a variety of classical composers.
Davidson said he selected the oboe as his instrument after hearing it in a symphony when he was 11-years-old.
“I think a lot of it did come from my mother,” Davidson said. “She exposed me to the greats, and I just really liked the sound of the oboe and I knew I would have a lot of opportunity to play with that instrument.”
Texas State students and faculty had the opportunity to see Davidson perform during the Chamber Music Fall Recital Oct. 7 in the Performing Arts Center.
Davidson said being able to play at Texas State with faculty members is a great opportunity because it gives him a chance to perform in front of his music students, who don’t get to see that that often.
“It’s more meaningful for me to be able to share this with oboe students here,” Davidson said. “Because they don’t usually get to come with me to my performances, it’s kind of like a home football game.”
Daris Hale, music professor, said she has been performing with Davidson since 1993.
Hale said performing alongside the oboe player is always exciting.
“You know how everything is going to go, and if your friend is having trouble, and they’re having a bad night, you know how to help them,” Hale said. “You know exactly what the other person is going to do.”
Paula Bird, senior lecturer, said having the opportunity to take the stage with a group of friends made the recital more enjoyable.
Bird said she usually tries to perform with people she is comfortable with.
“It makes it a lot easier when you’re performing in front of other people with friends,” Bird said. “When people are making it easier for you, then it just becomes a fun thing to do.”
Justin Obestien, audience member, said the camaraderie between the performers was easy for those watching the performance to notice.
“You can tell they have been friends or work together every day,” Obestien said. “I think that’s really fun because it doesn’t feel uptight like a usual recital. It’s just a group of musicians having some fun.”
Bird said being able to have Davidson be a part of the School of Music is an honor.
“To have a professor like him in our music department is a big deal,” Bird said. “We’re very proud to have him and all the work he has done to receive that title.”