Ensembles Selected for Regional Performance
Jul 26, 2010 1
The UCM Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Scott Lubaroff, has been selected to perform at the annual Missouri Music Educators Association In-Service/Conference at Tan-tar-a resort, January, 2011. Performing ensembles are selected through an application and audition process that involves blind evaluation of audition recordings by an adjudication panel from out-of-state. We are very proud to represent UCM through this prestigious performance, and look forward to seeing many, many of our proud alumni and friends at the concert in January!
The Mid-Missouri Percussion Arts Trophy has rapidly become the most significant percussion competition for college and high school students in a several state region. The day of competition concludes with an evening percussion ensemble concert which includes accompanying the Marimba Competition Master Class artist. On March 5, 2011, the UCM Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Michael Sekelsky, will perform the evening concert and accompany International marimba artist, Michael Burritt – Professor of Percussion, Eastman School of Music. As part of the performance, composer Raymond Helble is writing a new marimba concerto specifically for Michael Burritt and the UCM Percussion Ensemble.
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.
Performing Arts Series Presents “Eclectica”
Feb 3, 2010 1
The University of Central Missouri’s Performing Arts Series presents Eclectica in concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, in Hendricks Hall, in cooperation with the UCM Jazz Festival.
Inventive, inspiring and thoroughly entertaining, Eclectica weaves sound-pieces together with a groove that is alive from the first note to the last encore. With sing-along choruses and three-part vocals, Eclectica is a celebration and a concert on the same stage.
Performing Arts Series audiences will remember electric violinist Tracy Silverman from his 2008 appearance on the Hendricks Hall stage with pianist Jim Brickman in the Performing Arts Series holiday concert. Tracy is a Windham Hill artist and currently teaches jazz and rock violin at Belmont University.
Joining Silverman in making up the genre-defying band are five-time Grammy Award-winning drummer Roy “Futureman” Wooten of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and bass legend Steve Forrest, currently one of Nashville’s top session performers and bass chair of “The Wooten Brothers and Friends,” a Nashville institution.
The concert is in conjunction with the UCM Jazz Festival and is sponsored by the UCM Department of Music. In addition to the stage performance, Eclectica will conduct free improvisation and percussions workshops.
Tickets are available now by contacting the Performing Arts Series box office at 660-543-8888, or online at www.ucmo.edu/pas/tickets .
Music Alumnus New Front of House Engineer for the Kansas City Symphony
Jan 7, 2010 1, Alumni/Emeriti, Music Tech
UCM alumnus Jeffrey Keirsey, a graduate of the music technology degree program, has recently been named the Front of House (FOH) engineer for the Kansas City Symphony. Since his graduation in 2006, Keirsey has been employed by Kansas City’s Harvest Sound, one of the largest KC-based event production companies, and the exclusive sound and lighting provider for the Kansas City Symphony. In his time at Harvest, Keirsey has become one of their lead audio engineers and a fixture at shows with the symphony, due to his expertise with audio technology and the extensive musical training he received at UCM. As the Front of House engineer, Keirsey will be responsible for all decisions related to sound reinforcement for the symphony, including microphone selection and positioning, PA system design and placement, and the actual mix heard by audience members. Next time you hear an outdoor performance of the Kansas City Symphony, the sound you hear will be the work of a UCM Music alumnus. Congratulations to Jeff!
Wenger Selected to Perform Down Under
Dec 27, 2009 1, Music Tech, Winds/Perc
UCM trumpet professor Alan Wenger will premiere a new composition for trumpet and piano composed by faculty colleague Eric Honour on the new music recital at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Sydney, Australia in July 2010. Wenger says, “I am excited to showcase Eric’s great abilities and share his music with an international audience.” The International Trumpet Guild is the foremost association for trumpet in the world, and its annual conference is one of the preeminent venues worldwide for trumpet performance. According to the ITG website, “ITG’s more than 6,000 members represent 64 countries and include professional and amateur performers, teachers, students, manufacturers, publishers, and others interested in belonging to an organization dedicated to the trumpet profession.” Honour says, “it’s very exciting for Alan’s proposal to be accepted by the ITG review board, and I can’t wait to compose the work. Alan’s reputation in the international trumpet community continues to grow each year, and it’s a tremendous privilege for me to be able to work with such an outstanding performer in creating new music.”
Students Achieve Recognition Through Audition
Nov 17, 2009 1
Missouri All-Collegiate Jazz Band – 2010
Two UCM students were recently selected by taped audition to participate with the 2010 Missouri All-Collegiate Jazz Band, MMEA Conference and In-service, January 2010 at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, Missouri.
Jacob Crawford: Trombone, senior Music Education major and student of David Aaberg / David Stagg.
Jim Lower: Drum set, junior Jazz Commercial Music major and student of David Aaberg / Michael Sekelsky.
The following students received honors at the recent MMTA Convention and Auditions hosted at UCM:
Andrea Robinson, clarinet, was a first place winner, collegiate upper division: Student of James Gai.
Veronica Snow, piano, received an Honorable Mention, collegiate upper division: Student of Mia Hynes.
UCM Conductors Inspire Students Across the Region
Nov 17, 2009 1
Ensemble conductors continue to receive frequent requests to help shape the future of young musicians across the region. Recent guest conducting appearances include:
Lisa Fredenburgh, guest conductor, Kaysinger Conference Choir, Hughesville, Missouri, November 9, 2009.
Guest conductor, Southeast District 9/10 Honor Choir, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, November 14, 2009.
Guest conductor, I-70 Conference Honor Choir, Concordia, Missouri, November 21, 2009.
Rob Lawrence, Conductor, West-Central District Junior High Honor Choir, UCM, November 7, 2009.
Clinician, Choirs at Pleasant Hill Middle School, November 17, 2009.
Guest conductor, All-Conference Choir, Kingsville, Missouri, November 20, 2009.
Scott Lubaroff, Guest conductor, Northern State University Honor Bands, Aberdeen, South Dakota, November 18, 2009.
UCM Percussionists travel to PASIC 2009
Nov 8, 2009 1
Seven UCM percussion students will travel with percussion instructor, Dr. MichaelSekelsky, to the 2009 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, IN, November 11 – 14. In addition to performances, clinics, and workshops encompassing every aspect of percussion, PAS will celebrate the grand opening of their new Rhythm! Discovery Center museum in the Indianapolis Arts District.
As chair of the organization’s Drum Set Committee, Dr. Sekelsky will lead two sessions at PASIC, attend leadership training sessions, and serve as committee host to the 18 drum set performances, clinics, and workshops. In addition, committee chairs will join the PAS Executive Board for a Rhythm! Discovery Center tour on Thursday evening, November 12, prior to the grand opening on Saturday, November 14.
UCM Students attending include:
Sarah Bryant, senior: UCM student chapter Secretary/Treasurer
Tess Schurder, senior: UCM student chapter President
Ian McClafflin, junior: UCM student chapter member at large
Dakota Fletcher, sophomore
Austin Lyons, sophomore
Mat Thornton, sophomore
Shelby Charles, freshman
UCM welcomes annual MMTA Convention to campus!
Nov 4, 2009 1
The UCM Department of Music will host the Missouri Music Teachers Association convention and competitions November 4, 2009 through November 8, 2009. Please contact the event host, Dr. Mia Hynes, for additional details:
Office: Utt 223
Telephone: 660-543-8900
email: hynes@ucmo.edu