Tech professor and conductor Dan Allcott returned to the stage on Jan. 23 for a cello recital featuring pianist Emi Kagawa. This performance marked his first in nearly 10 years.
Not because he is required or wants time in the limelight but because, he explained, “It’s for my students”. Allcott also explains, after years of work and running around, “it’s nice just to enjoy playing the music.”
Allcott’s recent cello recital has brought fresh attention to his musician, education and conduction careers. This performance not only highlights his many achievements but also allows us to appreciate the significant contributions he has made to both music and education.
Jan. 23, Allcott and his Accompanist gave an enlightening recital with three duets and one solo, played by Allcott. They presented Beethoven’s Sonata in C Major, Op. 102, No. 1, showcasing its expressive range across two movements: the lively Andante – Allegro vivace and the contrasting Adagio – Allegro vivace. The program also included George Rochberg’s Ricordanza (1972), Samuel Barber’s Sonata for Cello and Piano (1936)—with its energetic Allegro ma non-troppo, the contrasting Adagio – Presto – Adagio and the passionate Allegro appassionato—and Adolphus Hailstork’s theme and variations on “Draw the Sacred Circle Closer” (2014).
Allcott chose these pieces to show the range and relevancy of music. Three different American composers ranging from the early 20th century, mid-late 20th century and the 21st century. He wanted his audience to hear and experience even if they were not music Majors.
Among the strangers in the crowd, Alcott knew his students were also watching. But that’s why he was there. Alcott explains, “I did it for Noah, Nathan and Enzo—my cello students. I wanted them to see me perform in a challenging environment. The cello workshop is one of the toughest places to play, as everyone is scrutinizing you. In Eastport, audiences are just happy to hear a cello recital, but here, you’re under inspection. I also wanted to show my students how to handle setbacks, like when my endpin slipped. Despite that, I kept playing and fixed it, which was an important lesson for them.” Alcott delivered an unforgettable performance while teaching his students an important lesson in perseverance and professionalism, a lesson that went well beyond the music.
Allcott found his passion for music early on. He was a bright student and didn’t feel challenged enough. But it was through his cello, he found fulfillment and has been devoted to it ever since. He started playing in third grade; by middle school he was giving cello lessons. Then, through high school he conducted his school’s music program.
Allcott has spent over 24 years teaching and conducting. He attended Drake University, getting his undergrad in music performance and he holds a Master’s degree in music for cello performance from Indiana University where he completed his coursework toward a Doctorate degree, also in music, he studied both conducting and cello performance. Before he left graduate school, he served as Associate Instructor of Conducting and conductor of the Indiana University New Music Ensemble. Allcott left in 2000 to take a position as the Music Director of Atlanta Ballet where he served for 10 years.
He joined the Tech Faculty in 2003 when he and his family moved to Cookeville, where he, his wife and son still live today. (His daughter is pursuing a career elsewhere.)
In 2004 he became the music director of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra where he is currently serving his 21st year. In 2010 Allcott started working for the Oak Ridge Symphony where he served for 12 years and a brief time in Murfreesboro until COVID caused the program to take a hit. Allcott has also been known to help for several years at the University Of Tennessee’s three-day Cello workshop starting at the end of July.
During the school off-season, he is known to spend summers in Maine with his family while assisting with the Eastport Strings Program.
Allcotts’s career has impacted many lives throughout the country, especially for his students. His goal as a teacher has always been to help his scholars grow. The aforementioned cello student, sophomore Nathan Wilkins says, “Mr. Allcott is a great teacher, he showed me this is what I want to make a career out of. Sometimes he can be a little tough but we all know it’s tough love. He saw a potential in me I didn’t know I had.”
Allcott has been an educator and conductor for over 24 years and intends to stay in the industry for another five to six years before he retires to make space for the younger generation of educators to make a difference.
