Spring Break
Former Eau Claire student sings from beyond
Proceeds go to reaserch of treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Cassandra Golburg
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: Campus News
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These are things Andrea Gapko is hoping listeners will feel when they listen to "Bright is the Ring of Words," a CD with recordings by her late son, Josef Gapko.
Gapko was a senior at UW-Eau Claire double majoring in music vocal performance and economics when he died last summer after a lifelong struggle with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
In January, Gapko's parents, Andrea and Laurie Gapko, released a CD with songs the senior had been recording before his death on July 10.
"They are songs he sang over the last two years," Andrea Gapko said. "They are songs he liked to sing."
Several of Gapko's friends already own the CD.
"It's an amazing CD," senior David Grossman said. "For someone with a condition like his to pull off what he pulled off is amazing."
The CD consists of mainly classical numbers, with a lot of love songs and English art songs, Andrea Gapko said.
"It's just very beautiful music," she said.
The CD was recorded at Skyline Studios, 140 Skyline Drive. Phillip Dorn, an Eau Claire alumnus, played the piano while Ivar Lunde Jr. did the recording.
Gapko's tenor voice is showcased throughout the disc.
"He had one of the best voices at the university," sophomore and friend Kevin Newell said. "He has a softness that is capturing."
Grossman agreed.
"He has a pure voice, with almost an angel's touch," he said.
Anyone interested in purchasing the CD can e-mail Andrea Gapko at gapkoam@uwec.edu. The cost is $15 and all proceeds go to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Andrea Gapko said.
"It funds research on treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy," she said.
Gapko's friends feel strongly about the CD.
"I think people need to know the history," Newell said, "It was recorded just before his death. No one could sing like him."
Grossman echoed Newell's sentiments.
"I hope (the listeners) can get a sense of who Joe was," he said, "It's a way for him to introduce himself and what he's known for. And they can get joy out of it. But, wow, he has an amazing voice."
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