Manuscript The magazine of the Northeastern State University Department of Music Fall 2018
CONTENTS 2 Welcome
Features
3 Guest Artists 5 New Faculty 7 Piano Repair Project 8 Choral Workshops 9 Student News 11 Faculty News 13 Alumni Feature 15 Off to Ireland 17 Endowments, Scholarships, and Donors
Welcome FROM THE CHAIR [ Change is the only constant.] - Heraclitus (c. 535 BC – 475 BC) This paraphrase from the philosophical musings of Heraclitus perfectly embodies the NSU Department of Music as we conclude another semester. Change is good. It keeps us fresh, makes us reevaluate our long-standing ways to determine what works and what needs revision, and creates opportunites for further innovation. Change is the means by which we measure progress. We have new faculty members, new curricular measures of assessment, and students are traversing through degree plans from lower level courses to upper level courses. New students and transfers buzz about our halls (and in our practice rooms). The beginning of the fall semester always brings about a sense of excitement. The end of the fall semester always brings about a sense of much needed respite as we break for the holidays. The department has enjoyed many moments of change throughout this fall semester. From student, faculty, and alumni achievement, I hope you will read on with interest. As we continue to change, reevalute, and grow looking ahead to the spring semester, I also hope you will join us on this journey of music-making. Attend concerts, support student recitals and ensembles, consider a financial gift, and help us to provide resources to develop our artistry and craft at the highest level. Music is essential to the human condition. As we change and seek further innovation, see our successes celebrated in the pages to follow and contemplate how you can effect change to positively impact the human condition through the lives and musical pursuits of our students. Wishing you a very happy holiday, Jeffery Wall Chair
2
GUEST ARTISTS AT NSU MUSIC The NSU Department of Music hosted many guest artists this fall 2018 semester. These artists are experts in their respective fields and instruments and collaborated with music faculty to bring their talents and expertise to our students and the community.
Ahead of Dr. John Petrucelli’s album release tour titled “Presence,” he and bandmates presented a masterclass for NSU students, and students from Wagoner, Keys, and Tahlequah high schools on October 4th. Dr. John Petrucelli, saxophone; Peter Park, guitar; Raul Reyes, bass; Gusten Rudolph, drums.
Dr. Erica Argoropoulos, of the NSU John Vaughan Library, gave a guest lecture on composer, Leonard Bernstein to NSU Music students on October 5th. She also collaborated with NSU Opera Workshop and Dr. Whitney Myers, to present lecture context to the performance celebrating the centennial of Bernstein’s birth on November 16th.
3
Dr. Erin Murphy is Assistant Professor of Flute at Oklahoma State University. She came to NSU to give a masterclass for NSU flute students and performed a guest artist recital on October 28th.
Dr. Dustin Williams, is a trumpet performer and educator in the Kansas City area. He holds degrees from Truman State, Florida State and UMKC. Dr. Williams came to NSU, gave lessons, and presented a masterclass for trumpet studio students of Mr. Ben Hay on November 26th.
4
Welcome our New Faculty Dr. Christian Bester joins our voice faculty as Assistant Professor of Music. He made his professional debut as Schaunard in La Bohème for Pro Musica Theater in South Africa in 2005. European performances include the role of Zaremba in Nedbal’s Polen Blut for Americke Jaro Festival in teh Czech Republic, Papageno and Armed Man in Die Zauberflöte for Amalfi Coast Festival in Italy. Other favorite opera and operetta roles include: Robert Schumann in Clara, King Pellinore, King Arthur (understudy) in Camelot, Don Giovanni, count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, Marcello in La Bohème, Germont in La Traviata, Aeneas in Dido and Aeneas, Bob in Old Maid and the Thief, Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte, Escamillo in Carmen, Prince Moritz Popolescu in Countess Maritza, Basil in Der Graf von Luxemburg, Gianni Schicchi and Dr. Malatesta in Don Pasquale, among others. A recent concert tour through South Africa included performances at: National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, Unisa Foundation Concert Series, Hermanus FynArts Festival, Stellenbosch University Concert Series, Friend of Music Society in Durban, and University of North West Concert Series. As a soloist, Dr. Bester recently partook in Songfest, the prestigious Van Cliburn concert series as well as Texas Christian University’s Festival of American Song, featuring songs of American composer Ricky Ian Gordon. Other concert series include: Santa Fe Concert Association’s concert series, singing the role of the King [no. 7] in Conrad Susa’s opera Transformations; East Dallas Christian Church Concert Series, and Lovers Lane United Methodist Church Concert Series. Dr. Bester was a member of the Emerging Artists for Dallas Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera’s Young Artist Program, and Ash Lawn Opera’s Young Artist Program. Dr. Bester holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree, along with the Artist Certificate from the University of North Texas. The Master of Music degree in Voice, he received from Southern Methodist University, and the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Tshwane University of Technology. He is a sought-after soloist with symphony orchestras. Laura Pillman joins NSU as Artist Instructor of Flute. She is an experienced orchestral solo, and chamber musician who has performed in Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Maine, Michigan, and Eastern Europe. She is currently completing her DMA degree with Dr. Mary Karen Clardy at the University of North Texas, where Ms. Pillman was a teaching fellow for the flute studio. She is one of the principal flutes of the school’s symphony orchestra, and is a frequent contributing performer on many recitals. She was awarded a scholarship to attend the Pierre Monteaux School for Conductors and Orchestral Musicians in teh summer of 2015. She has performed with the Longview Symphony Orchestra, the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, and the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra. As the winner of the 2016 Coeur D’Alene Young Artists Competition, Ms. Pillman performed the Ibert Flute Concerto with the Coeur D’Alene Symphony on
5
March 11 & 12, 2016. She most recently was invited to perform in the 16th Gheorge Dima International Music Competition in Cluj, Romania, in July 2017. She traveled to Denmark in the summer to study at the Royal Conservatory with Professor Toke Lund Christiansen, and her hope is to return to Denmark in the future for a full year of study.
Dr. John Petrucelli joins the faculty as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies. The New Jersey native began playing jazz in Trenton, mentored by jazz great Richie Cole. Petrucelli attended University of Virginia and continued his musical education under the tutelage of John D’Earth. From there, he was encouraged by Terence Blanchard to move to New Orleans. The Big Easy proved to be a transformational time for Dr. Petrucelli. He explored composition and deppened his connection to the jazz tradition and expanded his artistic palette. He also performed with Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra and David Mahoney’s Quintet and was a featured soloist with the Loyola University Jazz Ensemble at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival. In the fall of 2010, Petrucelli moved back to the New York area to begin his studies at Rutgers University with saxophonist Ralph Bowen. He also joined the NYYS Jazz Orchestra, giving him the opportunity to perform with Alex Sipiagin, Sam Sadigursky, and Paquita D’Rivera at venues including Symphony Space and Jazz at Lincoln Center. He also began performing with Charles Tolliver and Victor Lewis. During the summer of 2013, Petrucelli began an intense slate of performances with his quintet which culminated in his 2015 debut album, The Way. Jazz Weekly describes Petrucelli’s “muscular sound on the horn [having] enthusiastically taken up the serpentine style of soloing patented by Marsh.” In fact, his approach to jazz embraces rhythmic freedom within a mainstream jazz context; as quoted in a piece from WBGO Radar: “There’s a kind of rhythmic freedom - lines don’t need to resolve in typical places,” says Petrucelli. “It was a new approach for me, and really fresh.” Petrucelli’s compelling tunes carry a potent blend of yin and yang that captivates the listener. He continues to forge ahead with multiple projects and recordings, ranging from his Electric Trio, to his Quintet, to collaborative projects with vocalist/lyricist Anastasia Hagermann (Mischievous Minx) and trumpeter Joseph Badaczewski (Wayfarers and Pilgrims). His newest project, titled Presence, is dedicated to the explorations of the intersections of jazz, electronic and classical music and was released October 2018. Beginning in Tahlequah’s NSU Jazz Lab, Petrucelli embarked on a nation-wide tour to promote and perform this new album October 5-14, 2018. Dr. Petrucelli holds a Ph.D. in Music from University of Pittsburgh, an M.A. in Jazz History and Research from Rutgers University - Newark, an M.M. in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University, and a B.A. in Philosophy from University of Virginia.
6
Piano Repair Project
Thanks to a generous grant from the Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation and supplemented with the support of gracious donors to the General Music Fund, this Steinway L-model piano was shipped off to Dallas for some long overdue repairs. The pinblock will be replaced, as well as new strings, hammers, and damper felts, complete with action work and regulation. Work completion is estimated in the beginning months of the spring semester. This piano is stored and used in Fine Arts, room 301 (Choir Room).
7
Choral Workshops
This year’s RiverHawk Pre-Audition Choral Workshops were a rousing success, bringing in6a record number of Junior High and High School students for both days. September 13th was the Junior High workshop and September 25th was the High School workshop. Students worked with NSU Director of Choirs, Dr. Wall, in full ensemble clinic and in sectional rehearsals with vocal area professors, Drs. Whitney Myers and Christian Bester. Collaborative pianist, Farren Mayfield, assisted. NSU vocal students also helped throughout the day with sectionals, and sang along to help the visitors learn their All-State audition music. 232 junior high students attended and 221 high school students attended from seventeen different schools from as far away as 4+ hours.
8
Student News The fall term brought about many student accomplishments. These featured are just a mere representative sample. The NSU Trumpet Studio, under the direction of Ben Hay, traveled to Pittsburg State University to attend workshops, clinics, masterclasses, and perform at the Midwest Trumpet Festival on October 7-8. Pictured here with featured guest artist, Wayne Bergeron.
Brady Hacker successfully presented his senior trombone recital on November 1st, in partial fulfillment for the Bachelor of Music Education Degree. Brady is a student of Dr. James Adams Students provided holiday cheer with carols and holiday tunes at NSU President Steve Turner and Penny Turner’s holiday open house. The Harmony Hawks (pictured) sang, the NSU Flute Studio played, and NSU’s newest ensemble, Mixed Wood, played for this event. The Harmony Hawks also performed for The Lights On ceremony at Seminary Hall.
9
The following students were reviewed and passed the junior standing examination in Fall 2018: Paul Cristiano, bass Jace Davison, saxophone
Department of Music Fall 2018 Scholarship Recipients: • Brennan Marcotte, trumpet & Jacob Martin, drums, both received the Jacob Farinelli/Joe Davis Memorial Jazz Scholarship • Caleb Parnell, piano, received the Clare E. & Thomas E. Stroup Music Scholarship • Myklind Reyes-Sosi, baritone, and LeRoicia Penney, soprano, both received the Lou Summers Vocal Music Scholarship • Kiley Warnock, clarinet, Brianne Morgan, flute, Lacey Franklin, soprano, and Myklind Reyes-Sosi, baritone, recieved the Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation Music Scholarship • The following students received the Dr. Mark S. Bighley Music Scholarship: Dominic Puckett, saxophone Margaret Michka, flute Colton Tiger, clarinet Kelli Martin, saxophone Jackson Washburn, trumpet Lacey Franklin, soprano • Joshua Bowling, tenor, and LeRoicia Penney, soprano both received the newly funded Donald and Martha Sory Blair Scholarship.
(a few photos from our welcome back dinner at the beginning of the semester)
10
Faculty News Dr. James Adams served as contest site host for the OSSAA 5A/6A High School Marching Band competition at NSU.
Dr. Christian Bester performed a recital for the Endler Concert Series at the University of Stellenbosch as well as the Aardklop Music Festival in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He presented and gave masterclasses at the University of Stellenbosch and the University of Cape Town. He also presented at the College Music Society National Conference in Vancouver.
Dr. Ronald Chioldi continues his work, as a coauthor, on the 7th edition of Keyboard Fundamentals, published this year. He is the Director of NSU’s Community Music Academy, which is in its fifth year. The community school is comprised of 12 faculty and 80 music students.
Mr. Ben Hay, Instructor of Trumpet, was very active this fall as a member of the Tulsa Signature Symphony, regular substitute for the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. He hosted 2 guest trumpet artists on the NSU campus. Hay also gave lectures and performances as guest faculty artist at he Midwest Trumpet Festival held at Pittsburg State University. He performed a solo faculty trumpet recital at NSU. He continues to teach with the NSU Community Music Academy.
Dr. James T. Lindroth was busy as an adjudicator this fall for the Colerain Music Invitational in Colerain, Ohio, the La Salle Music Invitational Band Contest in La Salle, Ohio, and the Mason Music Invitational Band Contest in Mason, Ohio.
11
Dr. Whitney Myers served as Assistant Director for The Ballad of Baby Doe and Directing Intern for Harrower Opera this summer. She also directed scenes for “...Endings...” for Harrower Opera. She performed a benefit recital for Alzheimer’s Tennessee and collaborated with News 5 WCYB meteorologist Dave Dierks as Emcee for the event.
Dr. John Petrucelli released his new album “Presence” to high acclaim and embarked on a nation-wide tour through Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to promote and perform the album.
Dr. Jeffery Wall presented in July on the topic of social media use for recruiting and marketing music and specifically choral programs at the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association conference in Norman, OK. November was a busy month as Wall guest conducted the Men’s High School Honor Choir at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He also guest conducted the Salem College Choir, the Salem Academy Choir, and the Winston-Salem Youth Chorus in Salem, NC. He led a workshop and conducted the Tulsa Public Schools Honor Choir. Dr. Wall continues his work as conductor with his professional level ensemble, Vox Solaris Chamber Choir in Broken Arrow.
In addition to performing with the Tulsa Signature Symphony, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music Tulsa, and Tulsa Opera, Dr. Anne Watson also acts as a Quality Matters Reviewer for online course review.
12
Alumni Feature Austin Stunkard (BA - Jazz Studies, 2015) After a few years of touring as a performing musician with Celebrity Cruises, Austin returns to Oklahoma to pursue a Masters Degree in Commercial Music Production at The University of Central Oklahoma.
Dylan Peters (BME, 2015) Finishing his Masters work at Valdosta State University, Dylan also returns to Oklahoma to teach elementary music at Roosa Elementary School in Claremore.
Daniel Frerichs (BME, 2013) & Tyler Acord (BME, 2015) both work as choral music educators in Union Public Schools in Tulsa. Daniel is at the 8th grade center and Tyler at the 6th/7th grade center.
Lucia (Gray) McFarland (BA - Musical Arts, 2015) has been recently cast to play Tanya in Tulsa Community College’s upcoming production of Mamma Mia!
Hayley Lutz (BME, 2016) is music teacher and vocal director at Dove Science Academy in Tulsa.
13
Doug Owen (BA - Musical Arts, 2017) is in medical school at the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Ashley Sallee (BME, 2017) is pursuing a Masters of Music degree and serves as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Sarah (Carr) Bailey (BME, 2017) is currently the Assistant Director of Choirs at Muskogee High School
Trevor Downey (BME, 2018) serves as a graduate teaching assistant with the University of Oklahoma Bands as he pursues a Masters degree in music.
Annie Lindsay (BA - Music Business, 2018) is pursuing a Masters degree in Accounting at the Oklahoma State University.
We want to know where YOU are and celebrate YOUR SUCCESS! If you have news to share, please contact us here: https://academics.nsuok.edu/music/Alumni.aspx or email Dr. Wall at wall03@nsuok.edu
14
OFF TO IRELAND
The Northeastern State University/Community Chorus announces a performance tour to Ireland, scheduled for March 18-24, 2019. Through Music Celebrations International, the NSU Chorus has been invited to participate in the American Celebration of Music in Ireland as a representative of Oklahoma. Under the direction of Dr. Jeffery Wall, the Chorus will perform two concerts at St. Mary’s Church in Killarney and the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Dr. Wall has also invited the Tulsa Community College Choir, under the direction of Laura Cowan to travel and perform with NSU. Two farewell concerts will be performed here at home prior to travel: one in Tulsa at TCC on March 9, 2019 and one in Tahlequah at NSU on March 14, 2019. We hope you will join us!
15
YOU CAN SUPPORT US FROM HOME! We covet your support both in spirit and financially. As you might guess, a trip like this is a very important experience for students, but also a financial hardship. If you would like to contribute and defray the cost of travel for NSU students, visit our website below and click the “donate� button. It will take you to the NSU Foundation pay portal for NSU Music. Please contact Dr. Wall if you have trouble accessing this link or if it becomes inactive.
www.nsumusic.com
16
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! NSU Music Support Gifts to support the music program through the NSU Foundation play an important role in the lives of our music students. Whether for the Music Scholarship Fund or for music programming, your investment, regardless of the amount, will help our music program remain strong and vital. Please make out your check to the NSU Foundation, marked for the Music Scholarship Fund or music programming and send it to: Dr. Jeffery Wall, Department of Music, 605 N. Grand Avenue, Tahlequah, OK 74464. Thank you. Endowed Music Funds Dr. Mark S. Bighley Music Scholarship Donald E. & Martha Sory Blair Music & COLA Scholarship Joe Davis & Jacob Farinelli Memorial Scholarship Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fund Thelma Parker Memorial Scholarship
Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation Music Scholarship Dr. William J. Rauch Band Scholarship Clare M. Stroup & Thomas E. Stroup Memorial Scholarship Lou Summers Memorial Vocal Scholarship
2018–19 NSU Music Contributors Reflected below are donations January – October 2018. Please let us know if we have accidentally left off a donor or placed someone in the wrong category. $50,000+ $25,000+ Donald & Martha Blair $10,000+ $2,000–4,999 CH Parker $1,000–1,999 Ernst & Gaye Bekkering Bob & Kathy Daniel Mike & Robyn Dill David & Robbi Rader $500–999 Virginia Davis Post Oak Lodge John Yeutter $250–499 Carl & Catherine Farinelli Clark Gibson Jeffery & Amanda Wall
17
$100–249 John Benge James & Jane Bond Perry & Delores Bowling Mike & Cindy Chanslor Wayne & April Felts Benjamin Hay Elizabeth Higgins Kappa Delta Pi – Kappa Rho Chapter Jim & Letitia Masters Pam Moore Dr. Whitney Myers Cheryl Nobles Donna Roberson St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church – BA Donald Studebaker Anne Watson
$1–$99 Frank Ballard Dr. Sara Brown Doug & Erica Caputo Frank & Alberta Carlson Ron & Gayle Cater Christopher & Laura Cowan Charles & Joanne DeShong Noah Dunlap Brandi Girod Phil & Lori Green John & Janet Howell Charles & Linda Judd Mike King Donna & James Lewis Gail Little Matt Lollman Farren & Gail Mayfield Jonathan & Kittie McBrayer Bob & Inez Sellers Ann Sheldon Haley Stocks David & Monica VanDonkelaar Peggy White Eaton
visit www.nsumusic.com to give