Lambert Orkis - Musical Life

"I believe that a life in music should be available to all those who have the right balance of talent and desire. A life in music can take many forms. Those with the ability and personality profile to seek careers as soloists should be unswerving in their quest. Equally important are careers in teaching, music therapy, chamber music, orchestra, and music management, to name a few. The music profession needs committed participants everywhere. The teacher who discovers and nurtures a young talent should and must be able to share in the respect given super-stars. They are both part of an important musical process.

I feel it is my duty as a teacher to guide young people to a musical career equal to their abilities and in which they will find emotional fulfillment and personal pride. It is a privilege for me to be in a position to encourage and work with those whose dream is to live a life in music."

Lambert Orkis

Lambert Orkis has been since 1968 a member of the faculty of Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music in Philadelphia where he is currently Professor of Piano.

He has developed a graduate level program specifically structured for pianists wishing to focus on chamber music and accompanying in addition to the solo repertoire. Graduates of this program are active performers, are engaged in recordings, and are successful university and private teachers.

Esther Boyer College of Music Recital Hall

Orkis' Doctoral Seminar in Contemporary Piano Music challenges pianists to perform repertoire that is stylistically and technically unfamiliar resulting in many students embracing modern music and incorporating it into their regular musical life.

He is sought out by students at the College for his expertise on the fortepiano. The College's fortepiano is used frequently by his students in recital.

His advice and guidance in a wide range of chamber music matters is solicited not only by pianists, but also by the College's instrumentalists and singers.

Orkis appears on the College's Piano Master Class offerings having given sessions on a variety of topics including Period Instruments, Modern Music, Chamber Music, Accompanying, Articulation, and Duo Playing.

Recognizing the need for students to hear live performances by extraordinary and world-renowned artists, Orkis has brought to the College cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter who performed with him in benefit recitals for the College. Other concerts have been given by him with members of the Emerson String Quartet, the cycle of Beethoven cello sonatas with David Hardy (Principal Cellist of the National Symphony Orchestra), the cycle of Beethoven violin sonatas with Elisabeth Adkins (Associate Principal Violinist of the National Symphony Orchestra), the major works of Beethoven for piano and strings performed with The Castle Trio (on period instruments), and a special recital with violinist William Steck (Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra). The College's concert series has seen Orkis in the roles of soloist in traditional and modern music and in conjunction with members of the faculty and student body.

Lambert Orkis has been honored with Temple University's Faculty Award for Creative Achievement. He is a National Arts Associate of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and a member of Pi Kappa Lambda.

As time permits, Orkis engages in other teaching activities having spent several summers teaching piano and chamber music at the California Music Center near San Francisco, a special winter session at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, and most recently in workshops and master classes in Taipei, Taiwan.

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