Cello Day at Butler University

Special Guests:

Andre Gaskins, Principal Cellist, Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra

Principal Cellist of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Andre J. Gaskins enjoys a diverse musical career as cellist, conductor, composer and music educator. Maintaining an active schedule as a performing cellist, his recording of Martinu’s ‘Concertino’ for the Summit Records label was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Awards, in the category of ‘Best Performance by a small ensemble (with or without conductor)’. Solo appearances with orchestra have included performances with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Central Jersey Symphony, the Richmond Philharmonic, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, the Fort Smith Symphony, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and the Butler Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Gaskins has appeared as solo cellist from historic venues as the Grand Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation to the cities of Indianapolis, Richmond, Cincinnati, Ann Arbor, Concepcion (Chile), Okinawa (Japan) and Beijing (China). Mr. Gaskins has served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Ballet Orchestra, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Symphony, the Earlham College Orchestra and the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus. He has served as Assistant or Associate conductor with the Richmond Symphony, the Columbus State University Philharmonic and the New World Youth Orchestra. Learn more about Andre.

John Rihani, Encore Orchestral Strings

My name is John Rihani and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you why I am so excited about Encore Orchestral Strings. I can still clearly remember buying my first good cello with my parents when I lived in North Carolina. It was an exciting, thrilling, scary, and confusing experience. There were so many choices, so much conflicting information, and so many opinions. We were lucky to receive good advice from a shop we trusted and purchased a wonderful instrument.

Encore exists so that the process of choosing an instrument is relaxed, enjoyable, and fun. When you come to Encore and talk to me you can be sure you are getting honest information from someone who has been in your position before. I invite you to visit me at the store and experience Encore for yourself.

Butler Faculty:

Dr. Bill Grubb, Associate Professor of Cello

William Grubb, cellist, made his professional debut as soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at the age of 17.  He holds three degrees from The Juilliard School and was the fourth cellist in the school’s history to earn the Doctor of Musical Arts degree.  While at Juilliard, he was winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition and presented his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall.  His cello teachers have included his father, Cassel Grubb at DePauw University, Fritz Magg at Indiana University, Ronald Leonard at the Eastman School of Music, and Harvey Shapiro at The Juilliard School.

Dr. Grubb holds teaching positions at Butler University, Jordan College of the Arts, and the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.  Summer positions have included 35 summers at the Aspen Music Festival and School where he served on the board of trustees for nine years.  In Beijing, he was on the faculty of the Great Wall International Music Academy.  He has presented cello masterclasses at Aspen, the Hans Eisler School in Berlin, Peabody, the University of Michigan, Temple University, DePauw University, and the University of Colorado.  He is a trustee and board member for the Indianapolis Suzuki Academy.

Dr. Lori Honer, Instructor of Cello, Founder and Director of Indianapolis Cello School

Lori Honer founded the Indianapolis Cello School in 2016 and currently serves as its Director. In addition, Dr. Honer is a Lecturer in Music and the Coordinator of String Studies at Franklin College and the Director of Chamber Music at the Indianapolis Suzuki Academy. She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello in Performance from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.  her master’s degree from Jacob School of Music, Indiana University and her Bachelor of Music from DePauw University with further studies in cello performance at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Previously, Dr. Honer  has taught cello, coached chamber music, and taught string pedagogy and literature courses at University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music and Vincennes University.  Working with students of all ages and backgrounds, many of her students now enjoy successful teaching and performing careers of their own.