Gifts in Action - Professor Ian Hobson

MEET IAN HOBSON

Hobson has achieved considerable success in international piano competitions, and he performs regularly as soloist with orchestras in the United States, Europe, and Israel. His performances and recordings with Sinfonia da Camera, a professional chamber orchestra which he founded, have met with great success in New York and elsewhere. Named Swanland Professor of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2001, Ian Hobson is a Professor in the Center for Advanced Study and is the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from Yale University.

The Maybelle Swanlund Endowed Chair enhanced Professor Hobsons ability to do interesting and exciting things in music. It allowed him freedom and gave him incentive to investigate things such as bringing in musicians to participate in the chamber orchestra or teach students. Hobson believes that the ability to bring people in to teach and expose the students to new ideas and concepts is very important.

The Maybelle Swanlund Endowed Chair

The highest endowed titles at Illinois were established by Maybelle Leland Swanlund to recognize faculty members for outstanding contributions in their fields.

WHAT HE SAYS

“Love of music and the challenge to get into the soul of the music and interpret it is something that grows and is always helped by knowledge and different perspectives,” says Hobson. “Recognition for music and the importance of the arts on campus is great. This award allowed me the time and support to accomplish many musical projects, such as my recitals of the complete works of Chopin.”