As the chatter of the audience came to a standstill, the first piece in the concert titled, “In Memory Of,” began. Among the viewers sat an honored Sam Headrick, who wrote the piece himself.
Boston-based ensemble Alea III collaborated with the Boston University School of Music’s Composition Department to honor the “life, teaching, and musical legacy” of Headrick through a tribute concert Feb. 5 at the Tsai Performance Center, according to the College of Fine Arts announcement.
Headrick, composer and professor at the BU School of Music’s Department of Composition and Music Theory, retired in 2022 after 41 years of teaching. His honorary concert showcased a selection of his works chosen by Headrick himself, and was performed by an ensemble of musicians.
Panos Liaropoulos, current president of Alea III and associate professor at Berklee College of Music, noted the significance in honoring Headrick’s legacy.
“We have known Sam for many years and upon this important moment in his life, his retirement, we decided to honor him,” said Liaropoulos, also a BU alum.
Building on this sentiment, Apostolos Paraskevas, treasurer of Alea III, described Headrick as a “wonderful man” who kept close connection to his BU students.
“I think he is one of the most beloved teachers that many of us had for the last 30 years,” Paraskevas said.
The tribute concert consisted of five of Headrick’s pieces, performed by 10 musicians. These works span nearly 50 years and the pieces selected reflected the development of his style over the decades.
What remains constant in Headrick’s music is its uniqueness, Liaropoulos said.
“In my view, I do not see any heavy influences from the giant composers of the 20th century…. It’s very important, both for an academic and also for a composer,” Liaropoulos said.
While Headrick’s pieces have inspired many musicians, he said he also wants his music to be “enjoyed emotionally by non-specialists.”
Nasthasya Jean Philippe, a BU sophomore who isn’t a music major and had never listened to Headricks’ works before, said she enjoyed the performance.
“I think Headricks’ works are very complex but fascinating,” Jean Philippe said. “I really like [“quartet for B♭ Clarinet and String Trio”] …the interplay between the different voices was great.”
In fact, “quartet for B♭ Clarinet and String Trio (1974)” was the first concert piece that Headrick wrote.
“That was the best performance that it has ever received. It’s hard to believe how fast that time goes by, and the performers are so professional,” Headrick said.
Headrick said his music has evolved throughout his years composing.
“It started off more experimental, and I used lots of electronic music and analog sounds with synthesizers,” Headrick said. “Then I found I liked working with live performers better.”
Although Headrick has retired, his compositional journey hasn’t.
He finished composing the third piece in this concert, “Musical Poem 323 for Violin and Piano ” in 2024. He is also currently composing another new movement for this piece.
“I am not one who likes to be in the spotlight, but I love to compose,” Headrick said. “But they said, after 41 years, that Alea III would like to end my career at BU with a concert, and so I am highly honored by the wonderful evening.”
Alea III expressed its willingness to collaborate with BU and its professors to host more concerts in the future.
“We would be happy to sponsor, or co-sponsor with BU, such events in the future, maybe honoring other composers from the faculty,” Liaropoulos said.
Paraskevas reflected on Headrick’s lasting impact.
“Sam Headrick did lots of good work, not only as a professor of music, also as a composer,” Paraskevas said. “He contributed to the legacy of the music department at BU.”
