BAM Spotlight | December 2023 Issue

BRADLEY AMBASSADORS OF MUSIC

Spotlight

IN THIS ISSUE Learn about the Peoria Instrument Project Page 4 Discover Greek Life at Bradley Music Page 30

December 2023 Issue The student-run newsletter for the Music Department at Bradley University

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Contents

BRADLEY AMBASSADORS OF MUSIC

Bradley Music in the Community

4

Student Feature

8

Faculty Feature

12

Alumni Feature

18

Department News

20

Campus Candids

22

Music and Greek Life

30

Music During Break

32

Upcoming Events

36

MUSIC AT BRADLEY

Jonah Sendlin, President Caroline Burmahl, Vice President Xavier Chapman, Secretary Katie O’Flynn, Social Media Coordinator Patrick Sheeley, Talent Coordinator Andy Gordon Rory Leverton Carlos Lalonde Mack Davis Harper Shaw Cale Roberts Bailey Gordon Grant Heinberg Carl Anderson, Faculty Advisor Dr. Todd Kelly, Faculty Advisor

@bradleyumusic

@bradleyumusic

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: CARLOS LALONDE ‘24 / B.M. COMPOSITION

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CONTENTS | 3

Bradley Music in the Community BRADLEY STUDENT’S POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY The Peoria Instrument Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2022 by Bradley music student, Jesse Church, to create a sizable impact on the Peoria area music community.

Over the past two years, the Peoria Instrument Project has built its repair shop and workspace, made local connections, and created long-term relationships with other organizations.

The Peoria Instrument Project provides underfunded local school music programs access to reliable instruments and repair services. With more than $20,000 in donations and repairs, they are making the first impactful steps to creating a lifeline for music directors and allowing every student the opportunity to perform music. The next major steps for the organization are to hire a full-time repair technician, implement sustainable fundraising strategies, and establish supportive relationships with directors, administrators, future partners, and the community.

We have provided instrument donations, band room improvements, and repair services to many tricounty schools including Peoria High School, Richwoods High School, Mark Bills Middle Schools, Farmington Schools, Annie Jo Gordon Learning Center, Von Steuben Middle School, and more.

The Peoria Instrument Project also plans to benefit these directors by providing training. In June of 2024, we are hosting a 4-day instrument repair training workshop to provide necessary skills in basic maintenance and emergency repair.

ABOUT THE STUDENT Jesse Church is a music business student at Bradley University. He is involved in the Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and the Hilltop Combo. Outside of Bradley, Jesse is heavily involved in the local music community through the Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra, Prairie Wind Ensemble, the Peoria Municipal Band, and local funk-pop band BAJA. Jesse is a certified instrument repair technician through the Colorado Institute of Musical Instrument Technology. He is committed to bolstering music engagement for students who don’t have the same opportunities he enjoyed and is dedicated to using his skills to make an impact.

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BRADLEY MUSIC IN THE COMMUNITY | 5

Chamber Music Concert / December 2023 Marcia Henry Liebenow, director

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BRADLEY MUSIC IN THE COMMUNITY | 7

HOW HAS BRADLEY IMPACTED YOU AS A MUSICIAN? At my time at Bradley, I’ve grown exponentially in terms of developing my voice as a musician and composer. I’ve not only learned the essential foundations of musical training, but learned how to develop a flourishing professional skillset that will leave me prepared to take on the world as a freelance composer.

I owe my great experiences here to the worldclass faculty that have mentored me throughout my years here. The one-on-one attention and small class sizes have given me bountiful opportunities to hone my craft and excel as a student and budding professional.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER BRADLEY? I hope to continue my musical training in graduate school after Bradley. Meanwhile, I hope to continue my freelance composing career as I write for educational ensembles, like bands, choirs, and orchestras throughout the world.

My core mantra as a composer and musician is to bind the gaps between groups of people who don't share the same common ideas or culture. As a Filipino-American composer, I take pride in my heritage and share my talents to foster greater diversity and representation in the area of Western classical music.

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STUDENT FEATURE | 11

Faculty Feature

Cory Boulton

MEET THE FACULTY

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Dr. Cory Boulton is currently Director of Choral Activities, and Coordinator of Music Education, at Bradley University. She is extremely active as an adjudicator and clinician for honor choirs across the country including All-State, All-Region, and All-District Choirs. Prior to teaching at Bradley, Boulton was Coordinator of Music Education and Associate Director of Choral Activities at Western Connecticut State University. She has taught choir in the Texas and Illinois public schools, continues to sing professionally, and is a published researcher and presenter in the areas of choral sound, peak rehearsal experiences, and transformational leadership. She currently serves on the board of the Illinois American Choral Director’s Association.

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Conducted the National Association for Music Education National High School Honor Choir

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Conducted the Rhode Island All-State Mixed Choir

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Editor of the Cory Boulton Choral Series at Santa Barbara Music Publishing

Her life’s work emerged from experiencing a moment of sound so profound that her core-beliefs about choral singing were transformed. That transformation lead to her infinite search for how to not only recreate that sound for her students to experience, but how to teach others to recreate that sound and experience for their students: a search that lead to the discovery that choral sound is more than a combination of perfected musical, acoustical, and technical elements. The greatest contribution to a choir’s sound is its unified intention to create a moment that will change the human spirit. And so, the mission continues as she works to define the exact phenomena that craft those moments, because, in the end, that change in the human spirit is the legacy left behind.

She holds a Ph.D. in Choral Music Education from the University of MissouriKansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, MME from Illinois State University, and BME from Millikin University.

COURSES •

Bradley Chorale

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Secondary Music Methods

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Conducting I

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Introduction to Music Education

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Advanced Choral Conducting

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Vocal Pedagogy and Techniques

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Elementary Music Methods

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Novice Teaching

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Student Teaching

EDUCATION Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Choral Music Education and Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance Master of Music Education from Illinois State University Bachelor of Music Education from Millikin University

GET IN CONTACT cganschow@bradley.edu

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FACULTY FEATURE | 13

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BRADLEY MUSIC?

“One of the best things about getting to work in this department is that we operate on possibility. When there are challenges, they are never met with defeat or dismissal.

Each challenge is met with a “what if we could…” and a level excitement towards finding an opportunity to make things better than ever. And, when faculty do that, the students strive to operate like that.

When that type of energy is perpetuated and mirrored consistently, everything is possible. A community built on that culture is rare, and I never take it for granted. “ - Dr. Cory Boulton

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FACULTY FEATURE | 15

Symphonic Winds Dr. Darrell Brown, director

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FACULTY FEATURE | 17

CALEB MACKINDER‘ 15 Based in Bloomington, IL Involved in Bradley Symphony Orchestra under Dr. Tim Semanik, Bradley Chorale and Chamber Singers with Dr. John Jost, Violin Lessons and String Chamber Music with Marcia Henry Liebenow, Voice Lessons with Shirley Salazar, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Delta Nu Chapter Music Director.

Orchestra Director and Music Department Lead Teacher at Bloomington High School in Bloomington, IL I graduated with a Master's in Music Education from Illinois State University in Spring 2022. As the Music Department Lead Teacher at BHS, I have facilitated the implementation of two new music courses: a Beginning Guitar Class and an Introduction to Music Production class.

My time at Bradley helped me to build the skills and experience that I would need in order to be a successful teacher. The connections that I made with my professors and peers at Bradley have proven to be lifelong friendships and I cherish each of those relationships.

“Never ever ever stop breathing! Embrace change in your life and allow for the presence of discomfort with that change.”

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BRADLEY MUSIC ALUMNI

Alumni Feature

Want to share your experiences as an alumni, or support the Bradley Music Department?

Contact the BAM social media committee at koflynn@mail.bradley.edu

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Campus Candids

Katie O’Flynn

Mark G.

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CAMPUS CANDIDS | 23

George I. Breyon G.

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CAMPUS CANDIDS | 25

Adam K.

Xavier C.

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Jayson M.

CAMPUS CANDIDS | 27

Amanda C.

Maggie L.

Katie B.

Allie D.

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CAMPUS CANDIDS | 29

PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA DELTA NU CHAPTER Phi Mu Alpha / Sinfonia Club is a welcoming and inclusive social fraternity at Bradley University, fostering a brotherhood that embraces the transformative power of music. To join, interested individuals must be over 18 years old, enrolled at Bradley University, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. If you have a passion for the power of music, regardless of your major, you're invited to become a member.

Our chapter, Delta Nu, is an integral part of the music department at Bradley, assisting with various service opportunities and philanthropic missions. Contrary to common misconceptions, you don't need to be a music major to join Phi Mu Alpha; a shared love for music is the only prerequisite. The cost of membership includes a one-time $160 fee for new members during their first semester. Subsequently, members are required to pay $82 to nationals each semester, along with chapter dues determined by the local chapter.

If you have any inquiries about joining or membership details, feel free to reach out to our President, Bret Singleton (bsingleton@mail.bradley.edu), or our Fraternity Education Officer, Mack Davis (mdavis2@mail.bradley.edu). Phi Mu Alpha invites all who appreciate the harmonious blend of camaraderie and musical passion to join our fraternity.

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GREEK LIFE AT BRADLEY

Music and Greek Life

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Music During Break Bradley Students Take on Chicago

After completing their final exams, numerous Bradley music students and faculty members ventured to downtown Chicago to participate in the 77th International Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic.

This conference provides a diverse range of clinics and exhibits for individuals passionate about music education. Attendees also have the chance to engage with music and teaching luminaries while exploring current industry trends and future topics in both business and music education. Boasting over 18,000 participants from all 50 states and more than 40 countries, The Midwest Clinic serves as an unparalleled networking opportunity for music educators and musicians alike. Witnessing Bradley's presence at this esteemed international conference was truly spectacular.

Senior music composition major, Carlos Lalonde, proudly boasting two published works on display at the Carl Fischer Music booth at Midwest.

Bradley music education majors taking a selfie with the popular band composer, John Mackey.

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Director of bands, Dr. Darrell Brown, spotted in the convention hall at the WASBE booth.

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Caroling Around Campus

In a delightful deviation from the usual pre-finals tension, Chorale members added a touch of holiday magic to the campus on study day. Navigating through iconic locations such as the admissions office, Bradley Hall, Westlake Hall, GCC, and the BECC, students and faculty were treated to a welcome break from the books with festive caroling.

Harmonizing their voices to perfection, the Chorale succeeded in creating a momentary escape from the study grind.

The campus resonated with the sounds of timeless holiday tunes, injecting a dose of seasonal joy into the usually solemn atmosphere of study day. This musical tradition, upheld with enthusiasm by the Chorale, not only showcased their artistic talents but also reinforced the importance of communal spirit during the demanding study period.

In the midst of academic hustle, the Chorale's caroling session served as a reminder that a brief pause for shared celebration can go a long way in fostering a sense of unity and wellbeing among students and faculty. Kudos to the Chorale for striking the perfect chord between academic rigor and festive cheer.

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MUSIC DURING BREAK | 35

A list of upcoming concerts for the Spring 2024 semester will be made available at the Bradley Music Department webpage: https://www.bradley.edu/academic/departments/mus/

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MUSIC AT BRADLEY

Upcoming Events

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Visit https://bradley.edu/music or contact Dr. Todd Kelly at tkelly@bradley.edu or Carl Anderson at canderson@bradley.edu

WANT TO SHARE YOUR STORY? Contact the BAM editorial team at clalonde@mail.bradley.edu

@bradleyumusic

@bradleyumusic

BRADLEY MUSIC DEPT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Bradley Ambassadors of Music Spotlight / December 2023 Issue

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