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.
Student Composer Success – Michael Martin and NYAE
Feb 19, 2010 Alumni/Emeriti, Keyboard, Music Tech, Strings, Theory/History, Winds/Perc
Student composer Michael Martin took Honorable Mention in this year’s New York Art Ensemble Young Composers’ Competition! His work The Cinnamon Peeler for clarinet, violin, violoncello, and piano made the final round of the competition. The NYAE competition is very well-known, and previous finalists have gone on to great success in other competitions and festivals. Martin worked with Eric Honour and fellow student Tim Gormly to record the work in the UCM recording studios in December 2009, as part of the materials he submitted. The performers for the recording were staff accompanist and UCM alum Amanda Arrington, violin/viola professor John Rutland, and current students James Westbrook and Kasey Wasson. Martin is majoring in jazz-commercial music at UCM. He studies composition with Eric Honour and David Aaberg and piano with Richard Smith.
Professor Emeritus Frederic Homan Dies at 77
Feb 9, 2010 Alumni/Emeriti, Theory/History
Professor Emeritus Frederic Homan, known to many of our alumni for his work in the music theory classroom, has died. Professor Homan taught at UCM from 1962 (when it was named Central Missouri State College) until his retirement in 2000. In his thirty-eight years teaching music theory and organ at UCM, he guided hundreds of our music alumni to deeper understanding of the workings of music. He is remembered by many for his dry sense of humor, kindness to students, and the daily grace with which he approached his work.
The digitalBurg website published an extensive obituary of Dr. Homan.
For those able to attend, his funeral will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church of Warrensburg, with the Rev. Alex Wales officiating.
Burial will be in the Warrensburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery . Pallbearers are Bryce Austin, Matthew Headley, Bruce Austin and James Dosier.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the ALS Foundation and may be left at the funeral home.
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!
Cockman receives Regional and National Piano Honors
Apr 7, 2009 Alumni/Emeriti, Keyboard
James Cockman, student of Dr. Richard Smith, placed 3rd at the MTNA Steinway Young Artists National Competition at the convention held in Atlanta last week. He also received the Bronze Medal at the King Competition held in Salina, Kansas on Friday/Saturday, April 4/5. James recently received word that he is a finalist for the Federated Music Club Young Artist Award. The competition will be held in Orlando, FL summer 2009. The top prize is $10,000 and two years of concerts. Dr. Mia Hynes, UCM keyboard faculty member, won this competition just before being hired at UCM.
McClaflin named winner of inaugural MMPAT Multi Percussion Competition
Mar 8, 2009 Alumni/Emeriti, Music Tech, Winds/Perc
Sophomore music performance major Ian McClaflin received 1st place honors in the Collegiate Multiple Percussion/Drum Set category, at the Mid-Missouri Percussion Arts Trophy Competition in Lebanon, MO, Saturday, March 7, 2009. McClaflin was the only competitor in this caption to receive an Exceptional rating (between 95 – 100). Ian McClaflin is a student of Dr. Michael Sekelsky, who served as a competition evaluator, and Masterclass Clinician for the Multiple Percussion/Drum Set category. The MMPAT Competition is in its second year, hosting a “marimba only” competition in 2008 and extending the performance areas to include Multiple Percussion/Drum Set for 2009. Students from a 4 – 5 state region travel to compete in this one of a kind event. Other students of Michael Sekelsky competing and receiving Superior ratings (85 – 95) were Annie Wills (marimba – senior UCM music technology major), Dakota Fletcher (drum set – freshman UCM criminal justice/music major), and Marcus Neudigate (marimba – senior from Warrensburg High School and UCM dual credit student).
“Facebook” for UCM Music Alumni
Jan 27, 2009 Alumni/Emeriti, Choral/Vocal, Keyboard, Music Ed, Music Tech, Strings, Theory/History, Winds/Perc
If you are a Facebook user and would like to connect with other UCM Music alums and friends, Dr. Mia Hynes created a new Facebook group titled: “UCM Music Alumni.” If you are new to Facebook, you may sign up for a free account at:
Once your account is up and running, use the “Groups” link in the upper right hand corner, and/or the “Search for Groups” function with key words: “UCM Music Alumni.”
15 UCM Orchestra students honored with All-Collegiate selection
Dec 5, 2008 1, Alumni/Emeriti, Music Ed, Music Tech, Strings, Winds/Perc
The Missouri Music Educators Association hosts a Conference and In-service each January at the Tan-tar-a Resort in Osage Beach, MO. As part of the annual conference an All-Collegiate ensemble is selected to feature some of the most accomplished college and university musicians from Missouri. Thomas Sleeper from the University of Miami will conduct the 2009 All-Collegiate Orchestra.
The Department of Music at UCM will be represented by the following outstanding students:
Jennifer Rubin, 3rd flute/pic. – student of Frank Fenley
James Westbrook, 1st clarinet – student of James Gai
Will Foss, 3rd horn – student of Gary Moege
Alex Caselman, 3rd trumpet – student of Alan Wenger
Ben Knapp, tuba – student of Jon Gregory
Sarah Love and Dustin Conrad, violin I – students of John Rutland
April Wilson and Amber Overman, 2nd violin – students of John Rutland
Megan Pace and Brooke Thompson, viola – students of John Rutland
Michelle Brown, Kasey Wasson, and Michael Rice, cello – students of Michael Bersin
Ariel Aguilar, bass – student of Michael Bersin
James Westbrook, 1st clarinet – student of James Gai
Will Foss, 3rd horn – student of Gary Moege
Alex Caselman, 3rd trumpet – student of Alan Wenger
Ben Knapp, tuba – student of Jon Gregory
Sarah Love and Dustin Conrad, violin I – students of John Rutland
April Wilson and Amber Overman, 2nd violin – students of John Rutland
Megan Pace and Brooke Thompson, viola – students of John Rutland
Michelle Brown, Kasey Wasson, and Michael Rice, cello – students of Michael Bersin
Ariel Aguilar, bass – student of Michael Bersin
Michael Sekelsky serves as the All-Collegiate Orchestra administrator, as part of his MMEA College/University Vice-President responsibilities. MoASTA representatives Ann Geiler (Clayton School District in St. Louis) and John Rutland (UCM) are the 2009 All-Collegiate Orchestra Coordinators.
“Feast of Carols” Offers Concert of Holiday Favorites
Dec 3, 2008 Alumni/Emeriti, Choral/Vocal, Music Ed
The UCM Department of Music celebrates the holiday season with the annual Feast of Carols, planned for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in Hart Recital Hall. The public is invited to attend, free of charge.
The Collegiate Choir, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the Chamber Singers will join forces to provide a festive concert of holiday music for the audience. UCM’s Brass Five and William McCandless, professor emeritus of music, will accompany various works and audience caroling.
For more information about music programs at UCM, contact the Department of Music at 660-543-4530.
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.