November 3, 1998
Hershberger, a bassoonist in the KU orchestra, is the only undergraduate among the four. His piece is titled "Waterborne Aires."
All composition students at KU are required to give a composition recital, but it is only occasionally that the university orchestra performs undergraduate compositions, said Charles K. Hoag, KU assistant professor of music. Hoag is Hershberger's teacher and adviser.
"I think he's a composer with a gift," Hoag said, describing Hershberger's work as fresh.
"Todd has a background in instrumental music that shows up in his music. He likes the music of Debussy, Stravinsky and Bartok and those preferences are demonstrated in the kind of music he writes."
"Waterborne Aires" is one of Hershberger's nine musical compositions in different genres. Three of Hershberger's pieces have been performed at KU and two, including "Waterborne Aires," are being rehearsed for performance at a later date.
Last spring, at Hoag's advice, Hershberger successfully applied for a $1,000 summer undergraduate research award from KU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to work on "Waterborne Aires."
The $1,000 research award allowed Hershberger to work part time rather than full time during the summer, giving him more time to work on the composition.
Inspiration for the piece came from a pendant he has had since eighth grade, Hershberger said. It depicts the four elements: earth, fire, wind and water. Hershberger concentrated on the water image and tried to incorporate it into his music. "The whole piece is permeated with water images," Hershberger said. "Also, I went to Clinton Lake for inspiration."
Hershberger started his music training with piano lessons at age 4. At Newton High School he played saxophone and bassoon. He has played the bassoon in the KU orchestra for four years.
He is the son of Keith and Vicky Hershberger, 4 Indian Lane, Newton.
Story by Camille Payne, (785) 864-8860