Students Win Competitions in Piano & Percussion
Mar 8, 2010 1
Pianist Sarah Blunk won the Gladys Casford Memorial Scholarship in piano ($1,000) given by the Kansas City Musical Club, March 6, 2010. Kudos to Sarah and her teacher, Richard Smith.
On the same day, percussion students of Michael Sekelsky competed at the annual Mid-Missouri Percussion Arts Trophy competition in Lebanon, Miss0uri. The competition featured high school, undergraduate, and graduate student percussionists from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Indiana, competing in two categories (Marimba or Timpani) and two divisions (High School and Collegiate). The following students earned trophies:
Tess Schurder, 1st place – Collegiate Timpani
Ian McClaflin, 2nd place – Collegiate Timpani
Rebecca Meads (Clinton High School), 1st place – High School Timpani
Other UCM competitors included:
Mat Thornton – Collegiate Timpani
Tess Schurder – Collegiate Marimba
Richard Evans – Collegiate Marimba
Ian McClaflin – Collegiate Marimba
The UCM Percussion Ensemble has been invited to be the featured ensemble, accompanying the featured guest marimbist at the 2011 MMPAT Competition.
Student Vocalists Perform in Denver
Mar 2, 2010 1, Alumni/Emeriti, Choral/Vocal
Eight singers were chosen to represent UCM at the Southwest American Choral Directors Association (SWACDA) Conference held in Denver, CO last weekend. Current students April Wilson, Alyssa Pate, Alyssa Latta, Krystal Thurm, Travis White, Mason Ross, Kiel Beardshear, Jacob Ritter all made the trip west for the conference.
They prepared the concert music and had the honor of singing for iconic conductor Dr. Craig Jessop. As former conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Jessop led the group to receive many awards, including the Special Recognition Award from the International Radio and Television Society Foundation and a National Medal of Arts presented by President George W. Bush.
Each of the students is grateful for the opportunity to observe and experience the techniques of such a fine musician as Jessop, augmenting their own knowledge and skills significantly. At UCM, the students work with our talented vocal and choral faculty, including Lisa Fredenburgh, Robert Lawrence, Stella Roden, and Jake Sentgeorge. For more information on choral and vocal studies at UCM, make sure to visit the choral area website.