Dr. Alex McDonald
Covenant College’s music department presents pianist Dr. Alex McDonald in recital on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The recital is free and open to the public.
Dr. McDonald has performed around the world and has been featured on PBS, NPR, and WQXR (New York City). He earned second prize at the 2007 New Orleans International Piano Competition, and was a competitor in the 2014 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
After receiving piano training from Mrs. Lois Nielson, the late mother of former Covenant College president Dr. Niel Nielson, Dr. McDonald received his bachelor’s degree from the New England Conservatory with academic honors and distinction in performance. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Julliard.
Dr. McDonald will present pieces from Haydn, Chopin, Takemitsu, Ravel, and Liszt, including Chopin’s Nocturne in c minor and Liszt’s Sonata in b minor.
“I became aware of Dr. McDonald after reading an interview he gave to World Magazine in June 2013, and I was immediately convinced that we needed to have him visit Covenant,” said Professor Brandon Kreuze. “After speaking with him directly, I became even more excited about connecting Alex with our students and community. He studied at some of the most prestigious conservatories in the country and competed in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which invites only the very best young pianists from all over the world. He is also a brother in Christ who speaks enthusiastically about the powerful ways that his faith impacts his music making.”