A Fulbright Poland concert honoring the life and memory of our friend and alumna Pamela Howland (1956-2021) was performed live on December 13 and streamed on YouTube. Fulbright alumni, Stan Breckenridge and Karol Radziwonowicz, commemorated Pam through music – a form of expression Pam loved the most and dedicated her life to. Among others, we listened to Stan’s musical arrangements, he used to perform with Pam, while Karol’s Chopin renditions brought us closer to Pam’s beloved composer.
Pamela’s recent passing has left us all in grief and we hope that this concert gave the Fulbright community a chance to get together virtually, and cherish her memory.
This event is free and open to the public. If you wish, please consider donating to the Pam Howland Fund for Cross-Cultural Musical Connections.
Dr. Pamela Howland (1956-2021) was a pianist, educator and Fulbright alumna who enthusiastically performed for numerous audiences across Poland. She was a strong proponent for international education and creating cross-cultural musical connections, always ready to engage in various initiatives. During her Fulbright grant, Pamela taught the history of American music at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. It was, however, neither her first, nor last trip to Poland. Pamela loved Chopin’s music and she had a close circle of friends in Warsaw and other places.
Performers
Stan Breckenridge is an American singer, soul and jazz pianist, composer, author, and academician. He holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California, USA. He is the 2019 Recipient of Poland’s Amicus Poloniae Award (“Friend of Poland”), which is given annually to American citizens who have advanced Polish-American relations and Fulbright Poland alumnus.
Karol Radziwonowicz is a Polish pianist educated in Poland and the USA with years of performing experience in various musical centers throughout Europe, North and South America, Australia, and Asia. He graduated from the Chopin National Music Academy in Warsaw and won prizes at several important competitions. He received many grants, including the Fulbright Award, which later enabled him to perfect his skills under György Sebők at Indiana University Bloomington. He is the only pianist in the world whose recording of Chopin’s music was flown into Space and permanently placed on the orbital station. Radziwonowicz is regarded by many critics as „a torchbearer for the Chopin/Paderewski tradition.”
This concert was organized as part of the Fulbright Program’s 75 anniversary.
