BAM Spotlight | March 2024 Issue

BRADLEY AMBASSADORS OF MUSIC

about Chorale Performance of The Sacred Veil

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

Student Recital Season

THREE SUCCESSFUL STUDENT COMPOSITION RECITALS HELD IN MARCH

This month, three composition majors held their senior recitals at Dingeldine Music Center. These recitals featured a wide array of musical styles from chamber music to electronic media compositions. Compositions featured dozens of student and faculty performers, starting the senior recital season off strong.

UPCOMING RECITALS

April

Mark Grigoletti - April 14th @ 3:00pm

Isa Luluquisin - April 20th @ 3:00pm

Tanner Unruh - April 20th @ 7:30pm

Nichole Thompson - April 27th @ 3:00pm

Alexandria Dean - April 28th 7:30pm

JONAH SENDLIN ‘24

CARLOS LALONDE ‘24

XAVIER CHAPMAN ‘24

Student Feature Nichole Thompson

MEET THE STUDENT

Nichole Thompson is a senior music performance major at Bradley University from Skokie, IL. Nichole is a member of the Bradley Symphony Orchestra, Bradley basketball Band, and is principal flutist of the Bradley Symphony Orchestra.

Nichole has participated in the ARIA Academy, Galway Festival, and the 2022 NFA Collegiate Flute Choir. She is a two-time winner of Bradley’s Concerto-Aria Competition and has won a Chicago Flute Club competition to perform for Emma Gerstein.

She looks forward to finishing her final year at Bradley to continue to learn and grow as a musician. Principal teachers include Kyle Dzapo, Jungah Yoon, and Joyce Oakes.

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• Two-time winner of the Bradley Concerto-Aria Competition

• Recipient of the Tim M. Wendle Leadership Scholarship

• Schlegel Award Recipient

INVOLVED IN

• Bradley Symphony Orchestra

• Bradley Symphonic Winds

• Bradley Basketball Band

• Residential Advisor in Williams Hall

• Intern in the Bradley Office of Admissions

GET IN CONTACT

@nicholet224@gmail.com

Instagram: @nicholet_flute

(224) 830-6705

TikTok: @biscuits224

Nichole Thompson / Performance

Class of 2024

HOW HAS BRADLEY IMPACTED YOU AS A MUSICIAN?

My experiences at Bradley have had an immense impact on my musicianship. I've grown so much in my technique and musicality through my lessons with Dr. Dzapo and my engagement with the orchestra and band. Bradley has allowed me to connect with various opportunities off campus such as gigs, music intensives, and conventions which have been so beneficial for my career. I am forever grateful for my music professors that have guided me and supported me throughout this journey. Bradley's music department has greatly prepared me for my future.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER BRADLEY?

After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to achieve my Master's of Music in Performance degree. With that degree, I plan to embark on my journey as an orchestral musician as well as a soloist. I would also love to continue my journey as a music influencer on social media. My platform on social media has contributed to my growing passion towards building connections with people. It has opened the doors to many new opportunities for me including being able to work with some musicians remotely. I have been able to use social media as a tool to get my music out to the world and to also make contacts with people who I can collaborate with. I feel so blessed to be able to have a platform that shines light on the importance of music and has encouraged other musicians.

MEET THE FACULTY

Korean pianist Dr. Ji Hyun Kim’s versatile qualities as a soloist, collaborative pianist, and chamber musician have distinguished her as a prominent performer. Prize winner at Dobrich Music Competition, Ibla International Competition and first prize winner of Korea Piano Competition, Kim’s engaging and passionate playing has made her a popular pianist across the United States, Korea, Italy, Germany and Bulgaria. Her performance with Rumania Banatul Timisoara Orchestra in Korea was met with great acclaim. Recently, Kim premiered a new piece by Erika Svanoe and performed Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with Bradley Wind Ensemble.

Kim has a comprehensive background as a pedagogue, having been involved in the instruction of students of all skill levels. She taught in several capacities at Indiana University, including Supervisor of Piano Accompanying, Associate Instructor in Piano, Accompanying Coordinator and was a distinguished faculty of the Young Pianist Program. In addition to her collegiate teaching, Kim has coached pianists from age 4 to 84, and prides herself on cultivating an environment of joyful learning.

Kim received her Doctorate of Music from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she studied with Karen Shaw. She is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Residence of Piano at Bradley University.

COURSES

• APL189/389 Applied Piano

• MUS165/166 Keyboard Skills -Class Piano

• MUS265/266 Advanced Keyboard Skills – Class Piano

• MUS163/164 Elementary Ear-Training and Sight-Singing

• MUS327/328 Piano Accompanying

• MUS331 Piano Pedagogy

• MUS433 Piano Literature

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• World Premier of Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, transcribed for Band

• World Premier of My Dearest Jane by Erika Svanoe

• Presenting ‘Piano Instructions for the Young beginners’ for PAMTA/MTNA

• Performing Faculty Chamber Recital with Marcia Henry Liebenow and Sarah Arnone

• Performing Faculty Piano Duo Recital with Dr. Mark De Zwaan

• Performing a Guest Artist Recital and Giving a Piano Masterclass at Purdue University- Fort Wayne, IN

EDUCATION

• Doctor of Music in Piano Performance and Literature, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Performer’s Diploma in Piano, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

• Master of Music in Piano, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

• Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Literature , Sookmyung Women’s University, South Korea

GET IN CONTACT

Constance Hall 206

(309) 677-2604

jkim3@bradley.edu

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BRADLEY MUSIC?

My absolute favorite thing about music at Bradley is PEOPLE. I LOVE who I am working with and surrounded by. When I first came to Bradley, I immediately noticed the students welcoming me and the colleagues offering to help. I felt right away that I belong here. Everywhere I go, I talk proudly about the students who are passionate about what they do. They care and love each other and support in every possible way. It is also a great inspiration to work with faculty who are so dedicated to the students. I feel blessed to be around these wonderful people and to make music with them every day.

- Dr. Ji Hyun Kim

Studio Feature

Dr. Mark De Zwaan

Dr. Ji Hyun Kim

Piano

STATE OF THE STUDIO

It’s an exciting time for the Bradley Piano Studio! Since Fall 2023, we have been delighted to see our students actively engaging in more performance opportunities than ever before, regardless of whether piano is their main concentration or a secondary instrument. Even after increasing the frequency of our studio masterclasses this spring, we are still seeing full rosters of performers for each class. Students prepare a wide range of repertoire for lessons each week and are championing new projects like our recent ‘Ludes and ‘Tudes studio recital or studies in Baroque improvisation. We are also thrilled to see our pianists collaborating regularly with other Bradley studios and ensembles— from strings, to winds, to jazz combos, to Bradley Does Broadway. We just couldn’t be prouder of our talented and enthusiastic pianists!

STUDIO EVENTS

• BSO Concerto-Aria Competition Winner’s Concert: Tanner Unruh and Wolfgang Vergara

• ‘Ludes and ‘Tudes March 2024

• Studio Recital in Spring 2024

• Faculty Recital: Dr. Mark De Zwaan in Fall 2024

• Faculty featured artist with BSO: Dr. Ji Hyun Kim Schumann Concerto in Fall 2024

• Guest Artists: Dr. Matthew Gianforte and Dr. Meeyoun Park from Murray State University in year of 2024-2025

Piano Studio Faculty

STUDIO ACHIEVEMENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Student Recitals:

• Carlos Lalonde

• Seth Metcalfe

• Isa Luluquisin

• Tanner Unruh

FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Ji Hyun Kim performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Dr. Darrell Brown’s Symphonic Winds, transcribed for Symphonic Winds by Dr. Lynnsey Lambrecht.

STUDIO NEWS

Our pianists crafted a mid-semester recital by selecting works according to a single rule: the chosen piece must be a prelude (‘lude) or an etude (‘tude). Performers created a varied program with repertoire ranging from Bach to Kapustin. Inspired by our students’ work, both Dr. Kim and Dr. DZ joined in the fun by performing ‘Ludes and ‘Tudes of their own!

Concert Retrospective

BRADLEY CHORALE UNDERTAKES CHORALE MASTERWORK THIS MONTH

The Bradley Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Cory Boulton, has successfully completed a monumental performance of Eric Whitacre's The Sacred Veil. This extensive project culminated in a deeply moving concert held at St. Mark’s Church in Peoria earlier this month.

The Sacred Veil, a profound and intricate composition by Whitacre, spans an hour and includes twelve movements. The Chorale's rendition featured the talented cellist Robyn Brown and esteemed collaborative pianist, Michelle Brower. This performance marked the longest single work undertaken by the Chorale in recent years, challenging the vocalists both technically and emotionally.

In preparation for this demanding performance, the Chorale spent several days recording the piece during a retreat at Stronghold Castle in Oregon, Illinois. The time spent in the serene setting of the castle allowed the members to deeply connect with the music and each other, enhancing the emotional depth of their performance.

The concert was not only a display of musical excellence but also a cathartic experience for the Chorale and the audience alike. The packed concert resonated with the collective emotional journey shared by performers and listeners, marking a significant achievement in the Chorale's history.

As musicians, we study and perform thousands of pieces over a lifetime. All different genres, styles, languages, themes, periods. Sometimes, there is so much music that repertoire can seemingly blur together. But, if we are lucky enough, we come across a work over that lifetime that is unlike any other. A work that is so profound that it changes us in the most egregiously beautiful (and sometimes painful) ways; a work that reminds us of why we became musicians in the first place; a work that feels not like a performance, but an experience to honor.

The Sacred Veil was a project that Chorale viewed as that work and honor, and an experience that was just as important to share with the audience as it was to ourselves and eachother. The hour-long work is about the poet’s wife’s journey through ovarian cancer (while pregnant) which ultimately takes her life. The text is a combination of the poet’s words, his wife’s words, and their words to eachother. It is raw, powerful, heart-breaking, and woven with joy. It’s been the most challenging project the students have embarked on--emotionally, musically, and spiritually, and they have been altered in ways that we are still trying to process as an ensemble.

I am not sure what better gift can be given to a musician than for them to know that the way they make music will never be the same. What a legacy to live on.

- Dr. Cory Boulton Director of Choral Activities

“Quite honestly this was a very humbling experience that makes me realize how life can change so fast. I feel like this piece's main message is to enjoy the time you have with people that you love, and not taking them for granted, and honestly that's how I want to live life. Musically, this was by far the most difficult piece I have ever done, the time commitment, the practice, the length, everything was so challenging, but all that hard work pays off. Getting the opportunity to perform such an outstanding piece of music was such a privilege and honor.”

“It was the biggest musical challenge I've ever had. It completely changed the way I view grief and allowed me to process my own grief and reach closure I hadn't reached before.”

“This was the most challenging vocal work I have ever had to complete, and I am so proud that I got to share the experience with the Chorale. Throughout the piece, I was able to experience the poet's grief over a span of three months, culminating in the final concert. This experience has changed me in a great way, and I think it will take me a while to sort through all of the emotions I have about this work.”

The Sacred Veil by Eric Whitacre is a Dark Journey through grief. It evokes many emotions which allows you for the most accurate understanding of pain, sorrow and acceptance. Though it never feels as though you are finished with your feelings. You sit and ponder in this black pool of grief, and in result are constantly emotionally drained. As one who has sung through this a plethora of times, I almost felt that within the choir it was a group therapy session, being able to talk about our own experiences with grief, and how we can relate to the piece in the most raw and uncomfortable way possible. This piece is so beautifully rich in grief and suffering, making you question why it is so hard to come to terms with the emotions you feel. There is this theme of chiaroscuro, that defines the darkness through the light.

“This whole experience has helped me go through the grueling grieving process I’ve had over the past year and a half. With one of those people being my father, who passed very unexpectedly, I’m glad there’s a composer and a poet who has been able to encompass what I feel with that. Grief never truly goes away, and we learn to cope with each fragile moment we have, but this music symbolizes that when grief is heavy in the heart, that means it’s a heart that has experienced joyous love.”

Department News

UPCOMING CONCERTS AND EVENTS

• Mark Grigoletti Senior Recital - 4/14 @3:00pm

• New Music Concert - 4/15 @7:30pm

• HOI Wind Quintet - 4/16 @7:30pm

• Hilltop Combo - 4/18 @7:30pm

• Symphonic Winds/Band Concert - 4/19 @7:30pm

• Isa Luluquisin Recital - 4/20 @3:00pm

• Tanner Unruh Recital - 4/20 @7:30pm

• Music Department Formal - 4/20 @8:00pm (Life Together Center at First Federated Church)

• Chorale/Community Choir Concert - 4/21 @3:00pm (First Federated Church)

• Bandoramapaloozafest - 4/23 @7:30pm

• Groove Project/Resonant Fusion - 4/26 @7:30pm

• Nichole Thompson Recital - 4/27 @3:00pm

• Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert - 4/27 @7:30pm

• Chamber Music Concert - 4/28 @3:00pm

• Alexandria Dean Recital - 4/28 @7:30pm

• Bradley Piano Recital - 4/29 @7:30pm

WHERE YOU RESONATE

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