OPUS Fall 2021

OPUS

Winter 2022

Walla Walla University Department of Music

Message from the chair This issue of Opus focuses on activities of the Department of Music in the 20202021 school year. Last year continued to be impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic that forced all of us to change our routines. Music faculty rose to the challenge to meet additional protocols for their students when research done by a group of more than 120 performing arts organizations found that brass and woodwind players and vocalists might transmit the virus more quickly through aerosol emissions.

Talented students started the year by learning about and making music virtually together using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. When students and teachers were able to come back together in winter 2021, all musicians were required to be physically distanced from each other, and had to sing and play instruments while wearing face masks.

Brass and woodwind players were also required to play with bell covers on their instruments. Several of the many masks that continue to be used by our musicians can be seen in the column to the right. Choir and Symphony practice sessions took place in the University Church which is the only building on campus large enough to accommodate the required distancing protocols. The few concerts that were performed in the academic year were livestreamed from near empty concert halls.

This year finds us still in the pandemic but enjoying a much more open campus where we are once again able to invite the community to join us for colloquiums, recitals, and live performances on campus. The mission of the Department of Music continues that each student musician will be inspired and stimulated to further enrich the lives of others with the knowledge, expertise, and sensitivity gained from studying music at Walla Walla University. We continue to be grateful to the Creator of Music at this time for His guidance and blessings as well as for your keen interest and strong support of our efforts.

Peace and joy, Pam Cress Interim chair, Department of Music About the cover: Music education major Brandon Rittenour and music performance major Sophie Naden-Johns perform “Australia Suite”, which Sophie composed to celebrate her home country.

Department of Music

BY THE MASKS

for singers

for singers in stage productions

for wind instrumentalists

New music production degree

The music department is offering a new music production degree in connection with the Department of Communication and Languages. This bachelor’s degree prepares students for careers that require a combination of diverse skills—from music theory to video and music production. The degree is unique in that it does not include a performance requirement.

Student music video will spread comfort through hymns Seven music students worked with Jinhyang Park, assistant professor of music, and Lyndon Johnston Taylor, second violin for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, to create a music video of hymns.

Walla Walla University’s annual Piano Festival had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Park still wanted students to have the chance to perform.

Students chose hymns that were personally meaningful and they were filmed with help from Jerry Hartman, professor of communication, and his class of film students. “I am proud that students are using the talents they receive from God to make Him shine through music and share Him with others,” says Park.

The video will soon be available online at wallawalla.edu/music.

Brandon Beck Associate professor of music

Christine Janis

Brandon Beck is director of the Wind Symphony, Steel Band, Brass Ensembles, and Symphony Orchestra. He is a bass trombonist and has taught conducting, methods, and private instruction at WWU since 2000. Beck’s ensembles have received numerous awards, including invitational performances at the Western International Band Clinic and the Viennese Masters Invitational Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall.

He has a bachelor of music degree from WWU and a master’s degree from Vandercook College of Music.

Christine Janis trains voice students in diction, technique, methods, and performance. She has sung professionally with the Walla Walla Symphony and the Mid-Columbia Symphony and has performed numerous solo recitals including the leading roles in several operas. She was artistic director/conductor for the Walla Walla Choral Society for 15 seasons. Janis has a bachelor’s degree from Westminster Choir College, and a master’s degree in vocal pedagogy and a doctorate in voice performance from The Ohio State University.

Assistant professor of music

Broadway spring vocal concert

Each year since 2010, Christine Janis, assistant professor of music, has put on a concert with her voice students following a different theme. Last spring’s concert featured pieces from Broadway musicals because students enjoyed working on them during voice lessons.

On the night of the concert, more than 120 people gathered in the Melvin K. West Auditorium for one of the first live performances of the year. Nine students performed nine solos and two duets, complete with costumes and choreography.

Crowd favorites included “I’d Order Love” from the show “First Date” and “Dear Theodosia” from “Hamilton.” The show had an air of playfulness and was enthusiastically received by the audience. Janis remarked, “To hear and see live performances that night was truly a gift.” A recording of the show is available at wallawalla.edu/concert.

Senior recitals enliven spring and summer quarters

Visit wallawalla.edu/music for information about events and the Department of Music.

Pamela Cress Interim chair of the Department of Music

Pamela Keele Cress has been a social work professor at Walla Walla University since 1996 and served as Dean of the School of Social Work and Sociology from 2006 to 2015. In July 2015 Cress took over the position of WWU associate vice president of Academic Administration. Her primary responsibilities include graduate studies. Since 2020 she has been interim chair for the Department of Music. Cress holds an M.S.W. from WWU and a Ph.D. in leadership from Andrews University, and is a certified thanatologist.

Music students Rebekah Fink, Brandon Rittenour, and Yanina Khomenko performed in individual senior concerts to fulfill degree requirements. Performances centered around French horn, cello, and soprano pieces across a variety of musical styles. Roylan Messinger, music education major, also held a French horn concert. “Senior recitals are the capstone experience of their four years as a music major. They showcase students’ passion and proficiency as musicians.” said Pam Cress, interim chair.

Jinhyang Park Assistant professor of music

Jinhyang Park is an award-winning piano soloist and collaborative artist.

She has given frequent performances across the United States, Europe, and Asia and has enjoyed collaborations with internationally acclaimed musicians such as Metropolitan Opera singers Yosep Kang and So Young Park, LA Philharmonic musicians Tao Ni and Lyndon Taylor, and New York Philharmonic violinist Joo Young Oh. She has also enjoyed collaborations with pianists including Christopher Harding and Tanya Blaich.

Kraig Scott Professor of music

Kraig Scott conducts the WWU choirs, teaches organ and harpsichord, and oversees all music at the University Church where he is also church organist. Scott has made numerous recital appearances throughout North America, Europe, and the Far East. He has an associate degree from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, a bachelor’s degree from WWU, a master’s degree from the University of Oregon, a master’s degree and doctorate from the Eastman School of Music, and has completed choral conducting training at Michigan State University.

Ensembles Big Band

Director: Brandon Beck A traditional big band including vocalists, the Big Band performs a variety of musical styles including jazz and popular music. The ensemble is open to all students, faculty, and staff. Performances include concerts and special events on and off campus.

Brass Ensembles

Director: Brandon Beck A brass quintet or brass choir perform on campus and in the local community with some touring as well. Members must first be part of the Wind Symphony or receive permission from the director.

Harp Ensembles

Director: Brandon Beck Harp duos, trios, quartets, or larger groups perform as harp ensembles on campus, in church, and for local community performances.

ICantori

Director: Kraig Scott The WWU select choral group enjoys a history of touring that began in 1929. Renamed ICantori (Italian for “the singers”) in 1979, the ensemble has traveled extensively in the Pacific

Auditions for incoming music students!

Auditions are typically held in the spring during U-Days. We would love for you to audition: • March 4, 2022 • April 4, 2022

Students from a broad range of disciplines enjoy performing in ensembles to practice and develop their music skills, nurture their love of music, and connect with students with similar interests from a variety of backgrounds.

Northwest and the western United States and has made appearances in Canada, Russia, and Romania.

Members are required to be part of University Singers. Performances include sacred and secular classical choral repertoire for church and community performances.

Steel Band

Director: Brandon Beck This Caribbean-style steel band performs music representative of the Caribbean, other world music styles, and classical music in sacred and secular contexts. The group performs on campus and in the community with some off-campus touring.

String Quartet

Director: Jenelle Anderson The string quartet performs on campus, in the University Church, and in the local community.

Members must first be part of the Symphony Orchestra or receive permission from the director.

Symphony Orchestra

Director: Brandon Beck Open to all students, faculty, staff, and community musicians, the Symphony Orchestra performs on campus, in the University Church, and on tour.

University Singers

Director: Kraig Scott The University Singers is the general choir of WWU. Membership is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community musicians. University Singers performs one major concert each quarter plus performances for church services.

Wind Symphony

Director: Brandon Beck Open to all students, this traditional concert band performs locally and with some off-campus touring. Wind Symphony members rehearse three times weekly.

Woodwind Ensembles

Director: Brandon Beck A flute choir, woodwind quintet, saxophone ensemble, and clarinet quintet or choir performs on campus and in the local community with some additional off-campus touring. Members must first be part of the Wind Symphony or receive permission from the director.

Learn more at wallawalla.edu/ensembles.

Audition applications: Submit your audition application and learn more about requirements at wallawalla.edu/auditions-scholarships.

Deadlines: • Feb. 20, 2022, for March U-Days auditions.

• March 20, 2022, for April U-Days auditions.

• March 31, 2022, for YouTube auditions. (if you live more than 200 miles from Walla Walla)

‘A touching story about two friends’ A partnership with wwudrama brings a whimsical musical to the stage The music department and drama department collaborated to present the 2021 fall drama production, a musical titled “A Year with Frog and Toad.”

Student actors on stage in Village Hall brought the lives of Frog, Toad, and their critter friends to life with the help of 10 musicians playing live music from the balcony. Most of those musicians play in the Walla Walla Symphony.

“A Year with Frog and Toad” follows the two friends on their adventures through the spring, summer, and fall seasons. It’s a tale of companionship and thoughtfulness based on the children’s book series written by Arnold Lobel.

The show’s success was made possible with the work of many skilled hands. Christine Janis, assistant professor of music, worked one-on-one with most of the actors in voice lessons and co-directed staging and choreography. Kraig Scott, professor of music, hired the orchestra and directed the production. Jerry Entze and Kristen Taylor oversaw directing, costuming, and staging.

“I chose this musical because it had a great story and message and it made me happy while listening to the music,” said Janis. “After the months of isolation we had due to the pandemic, a touching story about two friends and what it

means to be a friend seemed appropriate. My hope was that it reminded us to be thankful for friends and special people in our lives.”

Several members of the audience mentioned how much they appreciated the live music, script, and acting. “All the actors did a fantastic job portraying the animals—shoutout to the mouse and birds. My favorite part was the sledding scene, giving me several laugh out loud moments. The live music was fantastic with a really fun jazzy vibe to it that helped make the play come alive,” said Lorelei Harbour, freshman biology major.

The musical was a hit with the actors too. “I feel honored to be part of such a work of art and I feel much closer to the people I have worked with over the past few months,” said Egan Schmidt Weiss, senior bioengineering student who played Lizard. “Live theatre is irreplaceable!”

Orland O. and Mary Joan Ogden Endowed Music Scholarship 2021 recipients Trevor Natiuk

Yena Cho

“I want to sincerely thank those who donate money for music scholarships. It makes a tremendous difference for those of us who love music to be able to pursue it with less of a financial burden. Thank you very much!”

“I genuinely appreciate your help that makes it possible and easier for me to pursue my music and pre-dentistry studies. Your love and generosity make my goal of serving as a missionary more achievable and makes me focus more on studying and practicing the piano. Thank you so much again for offering this scholarship.”

Daniel Stratte

John Danilich

“Before I was offered the Ogden scholarship, I was not considering attending WWU or obtaining a degree in music. The scholarship opened the door for me to further my knowledge and love of music alongside my pursuit of a career in medicine. The Ogden scholarship has really made it possible to attend WWU.”

“The Orland Ogden Memorial Scholarship has generously supported my ambitions as a professional musician and businessman. Mr. Ogden’s legacy inspires me because of his selfless character, hard work ethic, and care for others which are examples of the man I strive to become. I’m forever grateful for the opportunities this scholarship has given me.”

Senior computer science and music major

Senior bioengineering and music major, pre-medicine

Junior music major, pre-dentistry

Senior business administration and music major

To support music scholarships, visit wallawalla.edu/donate.

Sponsors and Friends The Department of Music would like to thank our 2019–20 sponsors and friends for their support.

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music scholarships available Prospective music students are encouraged to apply for scholarships, which are awarded based on merit, auditions, and need. Students may qualify for some or all of the scholarships listed below.

U-Days scholarships— Up to $6,000 per year Achievement scholarships— $9,000 to $15,000 per year depending on GPA or ACT/SAT scores Instrumental ensemble scholarships Small ensemble scholarships Piano and organ scholarships Endowed scholarships Learn about auditions and available scholarships at wallawalla.edu/ auditions-scholarships.

To add your support, visit wallawalla.edu/give.

FRIEND

(UP TO $99) Rob and Deannie Christy Dixie Cramer Al Grable Brendan Hay and Elizabeth Altman-Hay Thelma McCoy Leroy and Judy Otter Lori and Todd Price Yvonne Stratton Clinton and Kathleen Streifling

BRONZE

($100–$499) Anonymous Joe and Bonnie Roemer Jonathan and Terra Engelman James and Beverly Foster Mark and Kris Haynal William Haynal Donald and Tina Kimes Kenneth Rudolf

SILVER

($500–$999) Scott and Lorene Berger Marjory Peterson

GOLD

($1,000–$4,999) Anonymous Robert and Mary Betz Ken Schmidt Norman and Phyllis Woods

PLATINUM

($5,000+) Orland O. and Mary Joan Ogden Robert and Janelle Schmidt Carol Unterseher Roger and Krista Woodruff

Love what you do — share what you lo Study music at Walla Walla University.

Our mission is to challenge and nurture each student with a rich musical experience. It is our goal that each music student will be inspired and stimulated to further enrich the lives of others with the expertise, passion, and sensitivity gained from studying at Walla Walla University.

The Department of Music provides professional preparation for educators, performers, composers, and scholars. Through our programs, course offerings, and performance opportunities we also serve the region as an important educational, artistic, and cultural resource.

Numerous ensembles

ve.

Walla Walla University has a number of musical ensembles, large and small, representing a wide variety of music styles. These ensembles allow music students to gain plenty of practical performance experience.

Performance opportunities

In addition to frequent weekend performances at the University Church and scheduled concerts throughout the year, music students can travel with their ensembles and perform for audiences across the country.

Personalized training

Music students receive personalized training from dedicated faculty who mentor students as music professionals. Our accomplished and dedicated faculty have graduate degrees from leading universities and conservatories and extensive experience in their fields.

Learn more at wallawalla.edu/music-faculty.

Versatile program

Launch your career.

Music graduates are prepared to enter a variety of fields including: • Music performance.

• Music production.

• Music teaching.

• Composition.

• Conducting.

Students interested in pursuing graduate education are also well-prepared to enter competitive programs. WWU Department of Music graduates have successfully completed programs at universities including but not limited to the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, the University of Nebraska, Yale University, Juilliard School, Vienna Hochschule für Musik, and Washington State University.

Department of Music students may also choose to combine their study of music with a second bachelor’s degree in another field, working closely with advisors to complete both degrees in a timely manner.

Degrees offered: Music education (Bachelor of Music) Music education teacher certification Emphases include instrumental and choral Music performance (Bachelor of Music) Emphases include piano, organ, instrument, voice Music major (Bachelor of Music) Music production (Bachelor of Music) Music minor

See for yourself.

Visit campus, observe a class, and meet our professors. Schedule a personalized campus visit. We’ll cover your lodging and meals, and you can receive up to $250 for travel reimbursement. Learn more at wallawalla.edu/visit or call (800) 541-8900.

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC (509) 527-2561 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324 music.wallawalla.edu RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Join us!

2021–2022 calendar highlights

Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, 6 and 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 9, 2022, 6 p.m.

University Church, livestream at wallawalla.edu/concert

University Church

“O Come” Christmas concert

Guest recital: David Briggs, organ

Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 7 p.m.

University Church

Fine Arts Center Auditorium

Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, 4 p.m.

Friday, April 22, 2022, 6 p.m.

University Church

Fine Arts Center Auditorium

Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 22, 2022, 8 p.m.

Fine Arts Center Auditorium

University Church

Saturday, March 5, 2022, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 14, 2022, 4 p.m.

University Church

University Church

Sunday, March 6, 2022, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 21, 2022, 5 p.m.

University Church

University Church

Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 26, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

Fine Arts Center Auditorium

University Church

Music department vespers

Choir and Orchestra Festival concert

Piano festival concert: Harding & Park

Choir and Orchestra winter concert

Wind Symphony concert

Voice student recital

Guest recital: Valencia Baryton project

Piano vespers

Homecoming vespers: PRISM concert

Wind Symphony concert

Spring choral concert

Symphony Orchestra concert

Check our online calendar at wallawalla.edu/music or follow us on Instagram at @wwu_music_dept for more information, and visit wallawalla.edu/concert for recorded concerts.