Diane Barger has been named Hixson-Lied Professor of Clarinet for the College of Fine and Performing Arts. The new professorship begins in the fall.
The Hixson-Lied Professorship program recognizes the work of the most outstanding faculty in the College of Fine and Performing Arts. Supported by a grant from the Hixson-Lied Endowment, the professorships are limited to tenured faculty at the rank of associate or full professor, who do not already hold a named professorship and who have demonstrated exceptional or overall performance over an extended time frame and whose accomplishments have gained significant recognition beyond the university.
"Diane is an exceptional faculty member who has distinguished herself nationally and internationally as a performer and as a leader in the profession,” said Giacomo Oliva, dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts. “She has also made lasting and noteworthy contributions to her department, the college and UNL since her appointment to the faculty in 1994. We are delighted that the Hixson-Lied Professorship Committee has recommended her for this special distinction."
Hixson-Lied Professorships are awarded for a three-year term and can be re-nominated for a second consecutive three-year term. These professorships carry a $3,000 annual stipend that can be used to augment the recipient's salary or to support the recipient's creative or scholarly work.
Barger is the eighth Hixson-Lied Professor named in the college. The other Hixson-Lied Professors and their areas of study are: Christin Mamiya, art history; Gail Kendall, art; William Grange, theater; Peter Pinnell, art; Peter Lefferts, music; William Shomos, voice and director of opera; and Paul Barnes, piano.
Barger is professor of clarinet in the School of Music, a member of the Moran Woodwind Quintet and chair of the wind area. She serves as principal clarinet with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra, is Nebraska State Chair (2010-present) and Past Treasurer (2000-2010) of the International Clarinet Association and is a Buffet Crampon USA Artist/Clinician.
In addition to her work as a collegiate educator, Barger actively works with pre-college clarinetists and is involved in mentoring her cadre of clarinet instructors at Cornerstone Academy of Clarinet, where she serves as founder and professor of clarinet. She is also a member of the Trade Winds ensemble as an educational recording artist for Carl Fischer Music.
Barger is an active soloist and chamber musician, master class clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. A specialist in the genre of operatic fantasies for clarinet based on Vincenzo Bellini operas, Barger can be heard as a featured soloist on the International Clarinet Association's 1998 Recording Project compact disc in a performance of Domenico Mirco's "La Sonnambula" Fantasia for clarinet and piano.
With the Moran Woodwind Quintet, one of the most active and visible quintets in the Midwest, Barger performed at the 2010 College Music Society (CMS) National Conference in Minneapolis. The quintet also participated in two lecture/performances at the 2008 CMS National Conference in Atlanta, the 2005 CMS International Conference in Alcala de Henaras, Spain, and the 2005 CMS National Conference in Quebec City, Canada. The quintet has also performed at the Grand Valley Music Festival, the North Central Music Educator's National Convention, and at various colleges and universities around the United States.
Barger received the Doctor of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the Florida State University. She completed the graduate certificate in performance and master of music degrees from Northwestern University. She also received the 2001 Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Distinguished College Teaching Award and numerous teaching awards by the UNL Parents Association and Teaching Council. In addition to being a member of the International Clarinet Association, Barger is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Music Teachers National Association and Sigma Alpha Iota.
- Kathe Andersen, Fine and Performing Arts
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/hlprofs