David Forbat, D.M.A.
Professor
Education and Certifications
Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
(Peabody Conservatory of Music) D.M.A. Piano Performance conferred May 1996
Major Teacher: Ann Schein
Title of Research Document: “Liszt’s Music of the Gondola”
University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
M.M. Piano Performance conferred May 1985
Major Teacher: Frank Weinstock
University of Southern California
B.M. Piano Performance conferred May 1983
Major Teacher: John Perry
Aspen Music Festival
(Claude Frank 1985, John Perry 1979)
NCTM (Nationally Certified Teacher of Music) through MTNA (Music Teachers National Association)
Classes Taught
Courses currently taught at UCO:
- Applied Piano
- Keyboard Functional Skills
- Piano Ensemble/Advanced Piano Ensemble
- Advanced Chamber Ensemble/Leadership Chamber Music
Additional courses taught in years past:
- Class Piano I-IV
- Piano Literature
- Piano Pedagogy
- Music Theory I-IV
- Aural Skills I-IV
- World Music
Experience
University of Central Oklahoma (2005—present)
Current Title: Professor of Piano
- Piano/Keyboard Division Head (F’9 - F’13)
- International Coordinator (F’15-S’18)
William Carey College (now University) (2000—05)
Title: Assistant Professor of Music
- Keyboard Division Coordinator
University of Pittsburgh (1996—97)
Title: Adjunct Instructor in Piano
Carnegie Mellon University (1996—97)
Title: Adjunct Instructor in Piano
Additional Teaching Experience (prior to D.M.A. completion)
Carnegie Mellon University Preparatory School (1993—97)
Piano Faculty
- Applied Piano
- Group Piano for Beginners—a four-semester sequence based upon “The Music Tree.”
Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA) (1990—93)
Title: Assistant Professor of Music
- Keyboard Courses
- Applied Piano
- Class Piano
- Theory/Aural Skills
- Fr./Soph. Theory (four-semester sequence)
- Aural Skills
Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University (1987—89)
Graduate Assistant in Music Theory to Dr. Bruno Amato
- Undergraduate Harmony
- Counterpoint
- Form and Analysis
Peabody Preparatory (F’88—S’90)
Piano and Theory Faculty
Honors and Awards
- Teaching residency at Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China--May 29 - June 12, 2013
- Funded through an International Scholars' Fund Grant
- Co-recipient (with Robyn Pasternack) of 2011 Collaborative Team Award -- UCO College of Fine Arts & Design.
- Piano/dance collaboration entitled "Sincerely Beatrice." Music: Three Novelettes by Francis Poulenc.
- Recipient: UCO Foundation "Top 10 Partners Grant" -- March 2011 -- provided funding for a keyboard ensemble trip to Scottsdale and Tucson, AZ (9/28 - 10/2, 2011). Fifteen UCO piano students and 3 faculty members participated.
- Recipient: UCO Faculty RCSA Pedagogical Research Grant - Spring 2007
Research, Published Work, and Scholarly Activities
Scholarly and Creative Activity (Fall 2013 to present)
Performance Highlights
Recitals/concertos
Jan. 15, 2019 FACS—Piano Division—Violin Sonata No. 1 in Dm, Op. 1 by Ludwig Thuille, performed with Natalie Syring on flute.
Nov. 27, 2018 FACS—Brian Lamb and friends—Selections by G.F. Handel
Nov. 9, 2018 Sips, Savors, and Steinways”—Selections from “Thirteen Anniversaries” by Leonard Bernstein. Fundraiser for Steinway Project.
Oct. 2, 2018 FACS—Selections from “Thirteen Anniversaries” by Leonard Bernstein
June 1, 2018 University of Oklahoma—2018 OMTA State Conference Faculty Showcase Recital. Chopin Mazurka in C# minor, Op. 50, No. 3
May 4, 2018 Mustang School District – Run-out performances with Zephyr Winds and Sugar Fish Reed Trio
Mar. 27, 2018 FACS: Thuille Sextet, Op. 6 with UCO faculty woodwind quintet (Zephyr Winds). Jenni Brandon “Sea Quartet” w/ Sugar Fish Reed Trio.
Mar. 2-4, 2018 Kaleidoscope Dance Company – Spring Concerts -- Performances of Chopin Mazurka in C# minor, Op. 50, No. 3
Feb. 18, 2018 FACS: Contrapuntal organized by Bryan Mitschell – performed Brahms Songs, Op. 91 with Drs. Marilyn Govich and Tess Remy-Schumacher.
Sept. 26, 2017 FACS: Natalie Syring and Friends – Performed “Sunstreams” by Ian Clarke
Apr. 1, 2017 Performed Mendelssohn Variations Serieuses, Op. 54 at the home of Gary & Paula Schick (UCO donors).
Oct. 2016 FACS: Halloween Concert—performed vocal selections with Dr. Mark Johnson
Nov. 23, 2015 Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 (1st movt.) with the UCO Chamber Orchestra, directed by Dr. Hong Zhu
Mar. 7 2015 CD Recording project with Tess Remy-Schumacher: “Remember Me,” a 17-minute work by David Maslanka
Mar. 3, 2015 FACS Ravel Miroirs (complete) – including a multi-media “Informance” preceding the playing of the Miroirs.
Feb. 10, 2015 FACS “Dynamic Duos” – paired with Valery Kuleshov in works by Rachmaninoff and Brahms.
Oct. 25 – Nov. 5, 2014 Recital/master class tour of China
- Chengdu
- Guangzhao
- Beijing
- Jiangsu
Performed works by Bach, Berg and Chopin
Mar. 31, 2014 All-Steinway Fundraiser (NUC ballroom). Performed Chopin’s Barcarolle, Op. 60 and directed the Clavinova ensembles in background music.
Oct. 2013 Halloween FACS concert—performed with Robert Glaubitz
Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2013 Kaleidoscope Dance Company Spring Concerts; “Grieg Holberg Suite, Op. 40” (for solo piano)
Presentations & Publications
Aug 10, 2018 Authored an instructive text and composed pieces for a piano supplement entitled “Pentascale Pairs.” Copies have been distributed to Skye Garcia (East Central U.) as well as Linda Owen, Natalie Syring, and Jennifer Mansour of the UCO piano faculty. Copies are intended for student use in class piano and for pre-publication feedback and constructive criticism.
Jun 21, 2018 KETS (Keyboard Ensemble Technology Seminary) - Presented “5 Compelling and Relevant Uses of Yamaha Clavinovas in the College Classroom or Applied Studio”
Oct 11, 2017 Presented “Classical Improvisation” to COMTA (Central Oklahoma Music Teachers Association.
Jun 15, 2016 Submitted a 90-page proposal for a class piano text to Richard Carlin, Executive Editor of Art and Music at Oxford University Press). Following peer review, publication through OUP was not offered.
May 28, 2015 Met with E.L. Lancaster (Vice President and Keyboard Editor-in-Chief of Alfred Publishing). He looked over a proposal for “Pentascale Pairs,” a teaching supplement related to the presentation given in August 2014 at GP3 (see below).
May 21, 2015 Digital Keyboard Clinician at Classen SAS
Aug. 1, 2014 Presented “Pentascale Pairs” at the GP3 2014 held at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. GP3 (Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy) is a biennial national conference sponsored by MTNA.
Feb. 28, 2014 Digital Keyboard Clinician at Classen School of Advanced Studies
Professional and Community Involvement
Adjudication
Feb. 16, 2019 OMTA Senior Auditions (OBU)
Feb. 3, 2019 Gilliam Competition (OCU)
Feb. 4, 2018 Meinders Competition (OCU)
March, 2017 Clinician - ISAS Arts Festival (50th Anniversary) held at Casady
Feb. 6, 2017 Meinders Competition (OCU)
Apr. 11, 2015 TAMTA Spindler Awards (ORU)
Feb. 1, 2015 Meinders Competition (OCU)
Sept. 7, 2014 OSU Concerto Competition
Interests
The integration of music theory with keyboard learning
Rocks, minerals, & gems
Reformed theology
Jigsaw puzzles
Office Hours
Monday/Wednesdays 8:30-9:30 a.m. by appointment
Monday 2:30-3:30 p.m. by appointment
Tuesdays/Thursdays 1-2 p.m. by appointment
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