Dr. Kent Lyman’s life has always been deeply connected to music. When he was approached to deliver Meredith College’s Faculty Distinguished Lecture, inspiration struck almost immediately.
"Within two days, BOOM. It hit [him]," said Lyman, Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Studies. The Herald spoke with Dr. Lyman to learn more about his preparation and the lecture he delivered on Feb. 27, 2025.
His lecture dived into the humanity of legendary composers, separating them from their idolized state to reveal their struggles, emotions and creative processes.
Lyman shared that he first explored Beethoven, a figure often revered as a near-mythical genius. Lyman believes that “Beethoven’s kind of like this God-like figure when it comes to composing. [Lyman] wanted to bring him back to the human realm,” he explained.
Through Beethoven’s handwritten manuscripts, Lyman uncovered the raw emotions embedded in his work. One striking example was a composition originally dinitiallyo Napoleon. Lyman reflected on the period when Napoleon crowned himself King during the French Revolution, and Beethoven, furious at the betrayal of democratic ideals, violently scratched Napoleon’s name off the manuscript—so forcefully that he tore through the paper. This act of defiance, Lyman noted, was a powerful reminder that even the greatest composers were deeply human, driven by emotion and conviction.
Lyman then turned to Chopin, whose teaching methods still influence musicians today. Chopin had a unique way of guiding his students—an approach that Lyman says he incorporates into his teaching. By studying Chopin’s original scores, Lyman shared that he gained insight into the nuances of music composition and instruction.
For the final segment of his lecture, Lyman highlighted and shared about the life of Lili Boulanger, a groundbreaking French composer. According to Classic FM, Boulanger made history at just 19, becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Prix de Rome competition. Tragically, her career was cut short when she passed away from tuberculosis at age 24.
“[Lyman] thought it would be very meaningful to [Meredith] students to see a young woman, their same age, who accomplished amazing things,” Lyman said.
Lyman also focused on Boulanger’s sister, Nadia, who was also a composer but stopped writing music after Lili’s death, choosing instead to honor her sister’s legacy through teaching. Lyman emphasized how their story resonates with students today, demonstrating the lasting impact of young talent.
Perhaps the most unexpected twist in Lyman’s lecture was his “visit” from his younger self. Two weeks prior, he recorded a video of himself playing the Spirio as “Young Kent” and staged an interaction with this past version of himself, dressed in full 1977 rocker attire.
"The students went crazy for it," Lyman recalled.
During this segment, “Young Kent” suggested performing “The Time Warp” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” joking that the movie was “really stupid and no one would remember it.” To Lyman’s amusement, the students enthusiastically proved otherwise.
By incorporating this playful moment, Lyman aimed to make history feel more relatable. “People of the past were real people who had victories, triumphs, defeats, and losses. They ate and slept like we do,” he said.
Reflecting on his time at Meredith, Lyman shared how the college has broadened his musical perspective. Lyman noted that his time at Meredith “has expanded [his] knowledge of music by women.” He even jokes with students when selecting new composers to study: “Should [he and his students] choose a man this time?”
Lyman also spoke about the strong sense of community at Meredith. “The students are very supportive of each other,” he said, recalling a moment when students cheered and high-fived each other after performances. His colleagues and fellow professors have also enriched his experience, making Meredith College a meaningful part of his journey.
Beyond Western classical music, Lyman has a deep connection to Korean composers. He has taken two sabbaticals in Korea, is fluent in Korean, and continues to advocate for Korean music, according to Lyman. Soon, he and two other composers will travel to Minneapolis to share Korean compositions and represent Meredith College.
Lyman’s next performance is scheduled for April 15, where he will present music composed by Dr. Sabrina Clark, a fellow professor at Meredith College.
For those who missed the Faculty Distinguished Lecture, a recording is still available. The lecture provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of composers and encourages audiences to see them as more than just historical figures.
By Enfiniti’ Jones, Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of The Meredith College Marketing Department
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