MusicFest Northwest 2024 Program Book

From the Board President and Director of MusicFest Northwest

The following quote is attributed to the philosopher Plato as saying “Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good, just and beautiful, of which it is the invisible, but nevertheless dazzling, passionate, and eternal form.” From the beginning, human beings have entertained amidst communion with one another by gathering around a campfire singing, playing music, dancing, or reciting stories and poems. We are coded for creative expression, and to absorb and participate in music, art, story and dance with and through each other. Music takes us into the space of our "human being-ness" and provides moments of respite, stirs our memories and ignites our emotions. The vibrations of the harmonies, melodies and rhythms resonate with our very physiology…and our mind and heart are transformed into a peaceful or uplifted state.

Music in every generation and culture infuses peace, hope, joy, possibility and comfort into the wounded and welcoming hearts of all people. It crosses every perceived "barrier" and allows people who do not speak the same language, or embrace the same political/religious views to engage with each other in something meaningful that resonates deep within the human heart. The students engaged in MusicFest are part of this vital and valuable force in our world. Music should never be considered an "extra-curricular activity" but rather an essential component of any curriculum, program, business, and community.

MusicFest Northwest has been a part of the cultural fabric in our region since 1945 when it was founded to celebrate the end of World War II and “promote the arts of peace”. Inspired by the great music festivals of Europe, it served as the premier event of its kind in North America. Today we proudly continue this acclaimed tradition, inviting participants of all ages to share their talents in masterclasses and performances, and to receive inspired coaching from world-class artists. We are in planning stages to implement master classes and other related events throughout the year leading up to the festival, so stay tuned to our website for those updates!

We are especially thrilled to be a partner with the 50th Anniversary of Expo74 this year! I welcome you to this remarkable festival, and encourage you to sit in on classes, attend the concerts, or listen to the live stream shows on KPBX 91.1. We invite you connect, create and celebrate together at MusicFest Northwest!

Warm regards,

Dr. Jody Graves, Board President

Dr. Nicole Sonbert, Director

Adjudicators

Ballet: Anna Lantz

Born in Sweden, Anna Lantz started her ballet training at a young age at the Storan in Goteborg. She attended The Royal Ballet School (RBS) in London, England and graduated from the RBS Teacher Training Course. Lantz was an Adjunct Professor at Dean College, Emerson College and has taught at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Lantz is also a certified yoga instructor and has been lauded for her unique ability to instruct students of all ages and levels.

Brass: Dr. Brendan McGlynn

Dr. Brendan McGlynn is currently an adjunct professor of trumpet at the University of Montana and the band director at Target Range middle school. He currently serves as principal trumpet of the Missoula Symphony and plays lead trumpet in the Ed Norton Big Band. Dr. McGlynn has also performed with a variety of ensembles and has taught a number of clinics and master classes.

Flute: Dr. Mehrdad Gholami

Iranian American flutist, Mehrdad Gholami, received presidential award and Iran’s National Elites Foundation scholarship to continue his training at the University of Tehran. As an orchestral player, he started with Tehran’s ensembles such as Tehran Contemporary Ensemble, Tehran City Hall Orchestra and Tehran Symphony. Dr. Mehrdad Gholami is the Assistant Professor of Flute at Western Washington University and coordinator of woodwinds.

Piano: Dr. Karen Savage

Karen Hsiao Savage is Associate Professor of Collaborative Piano and Coordinator of Chamber Music at UMKC Conservatory. She holds a doctoral and two master’s from Juilliard, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria. Karen has performed internationally in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, Merkin Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Shanghai Grand Theatre, and Perlman Music Program, with broadcasts on internationally syndicated NPR programs and on Vietnamese and Chinese national television.

Adjudicators

Piano: Dr. Jeffrey Savage

Jeffrey Savage is active internationally as both soloist and chamber musician. Recent performances include China’s Wuhan Conservatory, premieres of Daniel Ott’s Fantasy on a Falling Line in New York and Vietnam, and broadcasts on national NPR stations. Savage has performed in Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie’s Weill Hall, at festivals across the United States. He has given performances and master classes nationally and at major conservatories throughout Asia.

Piano: Garik Pedersen

Garik Pedersen, a Steinway Artist, is enjoying a rewarding post-academic career as a teacher, performer, and researcher in St. Louis, Missouri. Pedersen taught for over 30 years at Eastern Michigan University, which granted him emeritus status in 2021. His performance career has taken him throughout the US and to Europe, Asia, Canada, Central America, and the Philippines.

Piano: Kenneth Christensen

Kenneth Christensen, nationally certified teacher of music and pianist, has appeared as a soloist and collaborative artist throughout his home state of Montana as well as the United States, Europe and Asia. He earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Montana State University and completed the Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Montana. Christensen serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Piano at Montana State University.

Reed: Dr. Maxine Ramey

Maxine Ramey has been a Professor of Clarinet for 36 years in universities and colleges in Montana and New Mexico. She is Professor Emeritus Director of the School of Music at the University of Montana. She received her Bachelor of Music from Arizona State University, her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from Michigan State University. Ramey has been a clarinetist with the Sapphire Trio for 26 years, and has performed in the U.S. and internationally.

String – Lower Strings: Dr. Valdine Ritchie Mishkin

Canadian Cellist Valdine Ritchie Mishkin is a cello teacher and an avid solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. Valdine holds a Doctorate and Masters in Music from Rice University, a Bachelor of Music from McGill University, and holds both performance diplomas and teaching certificates in cello and piano from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto.

String – Upper Strings: Dr. Stephen Miahky

Stephen Miahky is the Joseph Joachim Chair of Violin and First Violin of the Blair String Quartet at Vanderbilt University. He has been guest concertmaster of the Kansas City Symphony, Illinois Symphony, Orchestra Kentucky, Columbus ProMusica Orchestra, and the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Miahky received his B.M. and M.M. degrees from the University of Michigan and his D.M.A. from Rutgers University.

Voice: Mary Ellen Callahan

Soprano Mary Ellen Callahan appears frequently as soloist in a variety of repertoires including a recent performance of Carmina Burana at the Metropolitan Opera house. In Carnegie Hall, she has performed the Bach Christmas Oratorio, Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, Handel’s Messiah and a solo recital in Weill Hall. Ms. Callahan’s recently recorded Gluck’s operas La Corona and Il Parnaso Confuso with the Queen’s Chamber Band for Albany Records.

Choral Arts Festival: Dr. Jeffrey Murdock

Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock currently serves as Director of Choral Activities, Professor of Music, and founding director of the Arkansas Center for Black Music at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Murdock holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting, both from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Memphis.

9:00am-9:30am

BRASS

Monday, May 13, 2024

Location: Jepsen Center Room 014

A1 Daniel Affeldt

A2 Ashley Conner A5 Asher Kendoll

A3 Conner Jansen A6 Sawyer Petersen

9:30am-10:00am

B1 Kathryn Amdahl

B2 Thomas Brain

B3 Alec Chinnery

B4 Brady Brons B8 Morgan Reed

10:00am-10:30am

3:00pm-4:45pm

BRASS

Monday, May 13, 2024

Location: Jepsen Center Room 014

4:45pm-5:00pm Break/YA Deliberations

5:00pm-5:15pm YOUNG

5:15pm-5:30pm

1

* Medal Class / ** Adjudicator's Choice Class

Tuesday,

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1

Location: Jepsen Center Room 127

Monday,

Location: Music Hall

Location: Jepson Center Room 108 Monday,

Monday, May 13, 2024

Location: Jepson Center Room 108

1 Melissa Zberea

9:00am-10:15am

Location: Jepson Center Room 122 Monday, May 13, 2024

1 Benjamin Schultz

Monday, May 13, 2024

Location: Jepson Center Room 122

5:00pm-5:30pm

Monday, May 13, 2024 1 Jessica Heinlen

Location: Jepson Center Room 124

9:00am-10:15am

Livia Doberman

Tuesday,

Location: Music Hall

9:00am-11:00am

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Location: Jepson Center Room 108

Baber,

Borders, Adeline

Location:

Location: Jepson Center Room 124 Tuesday, May 14, 2024

1 Noni Patchett Mosher

Wednesday,

Location:

PIANO

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Location: Jepson Center Room 124

3:45pm-4:00pm PO82 PO82 Piano Introductory Masterclass 11th-12th Grade

1 Lynette Dobson

4:00pm-4:15pm PO83 PO83 Piano Introductory Masterclass College/Adult

1 Kimberly Holt

4:15pm-5:30pm PHM19** PHM19 Piano Haydn/Mozart 11th-12th Grade

1 Natalie Clay 3 Livia Koh 2 Sophia Ji 4 Oliver Ling

Location: Music Hall Thursday, May 16, 2024

9:00am-10:30am PCT54.3* PCT54 Piano Contemporary 1st-3rd Grade

1 Solomia Prykhodko 4 Abigail Tian 2 Maya Slivko 5 Oliver Solodyankin 3 Nadine Sung

10:45am-12:00pm PR33.2*

Emerie Wu

12:00pm-12:15pm

Yukiko Lutz

12:15pm-1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm-1:45pm

1 Hannah Buchmann, Lila Buchmann

2 Theodore Goodwin, Xiaoyong (Tom) Li

* Medal Class / ** Adjudicator's Choice Class

Thursday,

Location: Music Hall

Thursday,

12:15pm-1:00pm

1:00pm-3:15pm

Friday,

Location:

Friday,

Monday, May 13, 2024

Location: Jepson Center Room 113

Center

STRING

Monday, May 13, 2024

Location: Music Annex Room 001

5:00pm-5:30pm S33 S33 String Open Adult Beginner S26 S26 String Open Elementary 7th-8th Grades combined class for maximum learning for students

1 Maggie Talarico 2 James Brandon

Location: Music Annex Room 107

3:00pm-3:45pm S10.2L* S10 9th-12th Grades – String-Piano Sonata

1 Dane Hendrickson

3:45pm-4:45pm S11.2L* S11 College – String-Piano Sonata

1 Lorenzo Anguiano 3 Gloria Miller 2 Lili Beaver

5:00pm-5:30pm S45 S45 String Introductory Masterclass 1st - 6th Grade S47 S47 String Introductory Masterclass 9th - 12th Grade combined class for maximum learning for students

1 Shepherd Dance 3 Magnolia Kim 2 Emerson Johnson 4 Levi Arndt

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Location: Music Annex Room 001

9:00am-10:45am S30.1U S30 String Open 9th-10th Grades

Monday, May 13, 2024 1 Prairie Hust 5 Pearl Mcclintock 2 Leah Bassett 6 Eleasa Molsee 3 Madilyn Dinning

Elyse Westfall 4 Kiana Klinginsmith

1 Sophie Capodagli 3 Hosanna Turnlund 2 Eric Thorsteinson 4 Kyla White 11:00am-12:15pm S39* S39 String Unaccompanied Romantic or Contemporary Works

* Medal Class / ** Adjudicator's Choice Class

STRING

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Location: Music Annex Room 001

12:15pm-1:00pm

1:00pm-1:30pm S7**

3:00pm-3:45pm S10.2L* S10 9th-12th Grades – String-Piano Sonata 1 Jessie Morozov

5:00pm-5:45pm

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1 Dane Hendrickson

Location: Music Annex Room 107

1 Dane Hendrickson, Samuel Parker

Brielle Bryant, Anna Ellis, Lillyanne Schafer, Joy Willard

STRING

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Location: Music Annex Room 107

11:30am-12:00pm S28.2L S28 String Open Intermediate 4th-6th Grades S25.2L S25 String Open Elementary 4th-6th Grades combined class for maximum learning for students

1 Faith Baker 2 Takeru Lutz

12:15pm-1:00pm Lunch

Aurelia

Violet

Anyssa

Location: Music Annex Room 001 Wednesday, May 15, 2024

* Medal Class / ** Adjudicator's Choice Class

STRING

Location:

11:45am-12:15pm

STRING

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Location: Music Annex Room 107

1 Christopher Treis

1 Liam Dwyer, Sophia

2 Gio Grillo, Charlie Johnson, Ruth Klinginsmith, Willow Lorentzen, Fiona Naples 3 Blain Bennett, Liam Davis, Eli Larsen, Evie Larsen, Andrew Pranaitis 2:00pm-3:00pm

Location: Music Annex Room 001 Thursday, May 16, 2024

Location:

STRING

Location:

Room 110 Tuesday,

Location: St. Gregory's Hall Room 110

Sister Marietta Coyle Vocal Studies Award

This award is to assist a voice student to continue voice studies in the next year. The choice of winner is based on the potential, promise, responsibility, and musicianship shown by a student who also desires to pursue a professional music career.

The Voice Division adjudicator names the winner. The winner receives $400 and must perform at the Festival Highlights Concert on Friday evening of festival week.

This award is given in tribute to and in loving memory of Sister Marietta Coyle by Thomas Hampson, a former student of Sister Marietta. She was his first singing teacher and the person he credits with opening up the possibilities of music for him. Mr. Hampson was the 1979 Young Artist winner in the Voice Division and the recipient of the Josephine Forrest Clark Award in 1980.

Thomas Hampson, America’s foremost baritone, hails from Spokane, Washington. He has received many honors and awards for his probing artistry and cultural leadership. He enjoys a singular international career as an opera singer, recording artist, and “ambassador of song,” maintaining an active interest in research, education, musical outreach, and technology. Comprising more than 150 albums, his discography includes winners of a Grammy Award, five Edison Awards, and the Grand Prix du Disque.

In 2017, Mr. Hampson said, “I carry Spokane proudly in my biography and in my heart…My musical, mature life started in Spokane. I became and found out there was something named “Thomas Hampson” in Spokane, Washington, and I will never forget that.”

Festival Rules & Regulations

For the full Festival Rules & Regulations, please visit the festival page at: musicfestnorthwest.org/festival

Save The Date

MusicFest Northwest 2025

Festival Week Competition Classes will be held May 12-16, 2025 New Division for 2025 - Composition!

May 17, 2025 — MusicFest Choral Festival 2025

November 1, 2024

December 1, 2024

February 1, 2025

February 2, 2025

February 14, 2025

Early Bird Registration

Regular Registration

Last Day of Regular Registration

Late Registration

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Spokane Jazz Orchestra & MusicFest Northwest connect to announce our first ever MusicFest Jazz Festival May 10th, 2025!

Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

Choral Arts Festival

Saturday, May 18, 10AM-4PM

Mrytle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Coughlin Theatre Concert is open to the public and starts at 3PM

MusicFest Northwest is excited to announce the premier of the first-ever choral festival in the history of the organization! In its 79th year of bringing arts to the communities of Spokane, MusicFest Northwest is striving to create more opportunities for artists of all ages. Our team at MusicFest is honored to invite festival clinician, Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock, to work with the participating ensembles! Dr. Murdock, an internationally renowned educator and conductor, serves as Director of Choral Studies, Professor of Music, and founding director of the Arkansas Center for Black Music at the University of Arkansas.

The 2024 MusicFest Choral Arts Festival will provide an opportunity for many choral singers in our area to have the opportunity to work with an experienced and renowned non-local clinician, while creating a collaborative and community-building performance experience. The festival will feature several local choirs, including the Spokane Symphony Chorale, Chorale Coeur d’Alene, and Le Donne Choir. Each ensemble will perform a set of music individually, the festival will conclude with a performance from the combined choirs, under the direction of Dr. Murdock.

10:00am-11:30am

Combined rehearsal with Dr. Jeffrey Murdock in the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center Recital Hall

11:30am-12:00pm Lunch / Break

12:00pm-2:30pm

Individual clinics and group rehearsals with Dr. Murdock

3:00pm MusicFest Northwest Choral Arts Festival Concert

Dr. Jeffrey Allen Murdock Director of Choral Activities University of Arkansas

Dr. Josh Chism Artistic Director Chorale Coeur D'Alene

Barbara Tappa Director Le Donne

Dr. Meg Stohlmann Director Spokane Symphony Chorale

Thank you to the sponsors of MusicFest 2024!

Music means connecting, creating, and celebrating together!

Help the young music community around you and donate today.

Inspirato Fund