Recent student and faculty honors illustrate UCM excellence
Nov 13, 2008 Alumni/Emeriti, Choral/Vocal, Keyboard, Music Ed, Music Tech, Theory/History, Winds/Perc
Students take high honors at 2008 MTNA Competition
(Missouri Music Teachers Association – Music Teachers National Association Auditions, Washington University, St. Louis, and November 6-7, 2008)
· James Cockman, Winner of the MTNA Young Artist Piano competition. Moves on to district competition (student of Richard Smith)
· Sarah Blunk, Honorable Mention in the MTNA Young Artist Piano competition (student of Richard Smith)
· Seth Bowling, Alternate in the MMTA Upper Level piano auditions (student of Mia Hynes)
· Michael Martin, Honorable Mention in the MMTA lower level piano auditions (student of Richard Smith)
· Sarah Brown, clarinet, Runner-Up in the MTNA Young Artists Woodwind Audition (student of James Gai)
· Justin Robinson, saxophone, Winner of the MMTA Collegiate Honors Woodwinds Auditions (student of James Gai)
Pianists also competing at the national level (full program prepared) were Sarah Stoltzfus and Elaina Toben, and at the state level (three pieces), Rachel Lehenbauer and Joe Piontek. Vocalist Candy Tuttle also competed at the state level.
Recent faculty professional activity and achievement
Jazz Ensemble 1 Fall Tour: performances at Fort Osage HS, Park Hill HS, and Eagle Glen Intermediate with Raymore-Peculiar HS Jazz Ensemble, October 28, 2008.
“Clifford Brown’s Improvisational Style: Sequence throughout His Career,” Clifford Brown Symposium “Brownie Speaks,” University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA, October 30, 2008.
Adjudicated Baker University Jazz Festival, Baldwin City, KS, November 21, 2008.
Alto soloist and chorus member, Kansas City Chorale, Charles Bruffy, conductor
Fall Concerts (solo, mvt. 7 in Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzer), Kansas City, MO, October 19 and 21, 2008
Conducted the South Central Missouri District Honor Choir, Springfield, MO, November 1, 2008.
Guest Clinician and Judge at Pleasant Valley Middle School, Pleasant Valley, MO, November 18, 2008
Performed his original composition, Phantasm for saxophone and computer at Electronic Music Midwest 2008, Lewis University, Illinois, October 17, 2008.
The University Research Council awarded a project entitled “Voices of the Troup” – Remembering Don Essig and his Musical Instruments $670.
Recitalist at Wisconsin Lutheran College and at the Milwaukee Art Museum, October 15 and 16, 2008
Co-author with Steve Fidyk, “Percussion: Developing Interpretation Skills When Reading a Big Band Drum Chart,” Teaching Music 6, no. 3 (November 2008): 50-51.
PASIC convention – participated in: Leadership Summit, Committee Meeting, Panel Discussion, Committee Chairs Meeting, Austin, Texas, 11-4—11-8, 2008.
Tenor soloist, Mendelssohn Elijah, Ninth Street Philharmonic Orchestra, Missouri United Methodist Church, Columbia, Missouri, November 8, 2008.
Performed in a brass band as part of a Brass Spectacular concert sponsored by the Salvation Army. The band was an all-star band made up of members of various bands from across the United States and Europe. Other members of the group came from the New York Salvation Army Staff Band, the Houston Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, and various bands in Scotland, England, and Switzerland. The concert was recorded and will be released on CD by the Salvation Army. Charlotte, NC, November 1, 2008
Performed with the Fountain City Brass Band in Chicago, where they repeated as Champions in the US Open Brass Band Championships. This championship gives them a two year sweep of the four North American Brass Band Competitions. With this win, the FCBB received an invitation to compete next November at the prestigious Brass in Concert competition in Gates Head, England. They were also approached by the World of Brass recording label, and will be recording a CD for their label while they are in the UK at that time.
PASIC 2008 is a big “hit” for faculty and students!
Nov 12, 2008 Alumni/Emeriti, Music Ed, Music Tech, Winds/Perc
Dr. Michael Sekelsky, Percussive Arts Society Drum Set Committee (chair), recently attended the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Austin, Texas (November 5 – 8). Funding for the trip was possible through the assistance of the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Graduate School Scholarly Activity Fund, and the Department of Music Travel Fund.
Two UCM percussion music majors, senior Annie Wills, and freshman Mat Thornton, also made the trip to Austin. The four day event includes more than 70 concerts, showcase recitals, clinics, masterclasses, and instructional labs, as well as an exhibit area with representation from approximately 50 percussion vendors. Annual attendance at the convention exceeds 7,000.