WS Chronicle

Flute students at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) School of Music will no doubt gain a lot during their upcoming master class with the world renowned Sir James Galway. But they’ve already learned a lesson or two through the fundraising drive they conducted to pay for Galway’s visit to campus.

The 14 students, from high school through post-graduate, raised more than $2,600 to fund Galway’s April visit to campus while he is in town to perform in a gala concert with the Winston-Salem Symphony.

A living legend, Galway is regarded as both the supreme interpreter of the classical flute repertoire and a consummate entertainer whose appeal crosses all musical boundaries.

Sir James Galway is known throughout the world.

Galway has toured extensively throughout the world, has sold more than 30 million albums, and has performed for American presidents, British royalty, the Pope, and international heads of state.

“When we found out he was going to be in town for the symphony, we knew we wanted a master class with him,” said Lidiya Selikhov, a college junior from Coventry, Conn. “But the School of Music had already spent all its funds for guest artists.”

Selikhov and her classmates secured the support of Music Dean Wade Weast, who agreed to match whatever money they raised, up to $1,250.

“It is a rare opportunity to host a performer of this caliber,” Weast said. “I really wanted that experience for these students. Funding is tight these days and the timing was such that I had already made commitments for my entire guest artist budget.”

The students created a fund-raising web site and planned a benefit concert. “We didn’t want to just ask for money,” said Bo Lee, a college sophomore from Hephzibah, Ga. “We wanted to give something back.”

Within a week, they had raised more than $1,000. Soon, they had surpassed their goal of $2,500, and were able to decline Weast’s offer of matching funds.

He will give a master class for UNCSA students from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 3 in Watson Hall on the UNCSA campus, 1533 S. Main Street in Winston-Salem. The class is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.

Ticket reservations can be made by calling the UNCSA Box Office at 336-721-1945.