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Student Composer Success – Michael Martin and NYAE

music — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:45:51 +0000

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.

Music Alumnus New Front of House Engineer for the Kansas City Symphony

music — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:39:32 +0000

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

music — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:41:27 +0000

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.”

McClaflin named winner of inaugural MMPAT Multi Percussion Competition

music — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:33:00 +0000

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

music — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:10:57 +0000

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:

http://www.facebook.com/r.php

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

music — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:05:43 +0000

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

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.

Recent student and faculty honors illustrate UCM excellence

music — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:16:17 +0000

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

David Aaberg

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.

Lisa Fredenburgh

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

Eric Honour

Performed his original composition, Phantasm for saxophone and computer at Electronic Music Midwest 2008, Lewis University, Illinois, October 17, 2008.

Sheri Mattson

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

Michael Sekelsky

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.

Jake Sentgeorge

Tenor soloist, Mendelssohn Elijah, Ninth Street Philharmonic Orchestra, Missouri United Methodist Church, Columbia, Missouri, November 8, 2008.

Alan Wenger

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!

music — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:43:18 +0000

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.

Alumna Mary Ann Hart Returns to UCM for Nov. 10 Concert

music — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:22:37 +0000

The University of Central Missouri Friends of Music Society will host Warrensburg native and UCM alumna Mary Ann Hart as she returns to her alma mater for a concert Monday, Nov. 10.

The internationally renowned mezzo soprano will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Hart Recital Hall, which is named in honor of her father, the late Ralph E. Hart, chair of the UCM Department of Music from 1952 until his retirement in 1975. Her concert will include songs by Ralph Vaughn-Williams, Edvard Grieg, Cole Porter, and Claude Debussy. She will be accompanied at the piano by Mia Hynes, associate professor of music. Hart received a Bachelor of Music degree from UCM in 1973 and a Master of Music degree from the University of Illinois in 1976. She also received her diploma with distinction in Lied and Oratorio, Hochschüle für Musik, Vienna in 1978. She made her New York Philharmonic debut under the baton of Kurt Masur. She has appeared with the New York Chamber Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, American Composer’s Orchestra, Santa Fe Symphony, Boston Baroque, and has been a guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Hart has recorded a solo CD of American songs, “Permit Me Voyage,” and was one of four vocalists who recorded the complete songs of Charles Ives. She also can be heard on a CD of the songs of Henry Cowell, all on the Albany label. She appeared in the United States tour of the Philip Glass opera, “Hydrogen Jukebox,” and recorded that work for Nonesuch.

A winner of the Concert Artists Guild International Competition and recipient of second prize in the Carnegie Hall International American Music Competition, Hart also was awarded a Solo Recitalist Grant by the National Endowment for the Arts. Recital appearances have taken her to 26 American states, Austria, Germany, Romania, Canada, and the Virgin Islands. She previously was on the faculties of Vassar College and the Mannes School of Music, and is professor of music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and chair of the Department of Voice.

In addition to the public recital, Hart will be conducting two master classes prior to her concert. The first master class will feature regional winners of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and other invited students at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. The second class will feature students from the UCM Department of Music at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. Both master classes will meet in Hart Recital Hall. The public is invited to attend the master classes at no charge. Tickets for the Nov. 10 concert are available beginning Monday, Nov. 3, through the Performing Arts Series box office in Administration 100, 660-543-8888, from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online at www.ucmo.edu/pas. Tickets prices are $12 for adults and $5 for UCM students and children 17 and under. Tickets also will be available at the door one hour prior to the concert.

For more information, contact Hynes at 660-543-8890.

Marimba Quartet to Premier Percussion Composition 10/28/08

music — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:08:53 +0000

The UCM Marimba Quartet, under the direction of Dr. Michael Sekelsky, will premier a percussion ensemble work on Tuesday, October 28, 3:00 pm in Hart Recital Hall, as part of the “Crime and Pop Culture” conference hosted by the UCM Department of Criminal Justice.

Dr. Trent Hanna and Jiletta Kubena will present Tatitlek, Alaska: An Exploration of Environmental Crime and Composition Inspired by the Exxon Valdez Devastation, based on the Indigenous Music of Tatitlek and Chenega Bay. With the 20th Anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill approaching, Ms. Kubena reexamines the victimization of Alaskan natives and the eco system of the Prince William Sound. She will explore how crime, victimization, and art can work together within the study of criminology and criminal justice. Her presentation will be followed by an original composition by Dr. Hanna which focuses on the natural elements of the Sound and the effect the Exxon Valdez oil spill had on the area. The programmatic piece is composed for four percussionists and uses melodic and rhythmic elements from Quyannanana, a popular piece from the indigenous people of the area.

Ian McClaflin, sophomore music performance major
Tess Schurder, junior music education major
Owen Taylor, senior music technology major
Annie Wills, senior music technology major

Trent Hanna has been awarded for his achievements both as a composer and performer. He currently serves as the Theory and Composition Coordinator at Sam Houston State University’s School of Music, where he teaches advanced theory and composition courses. His original works have been commissioned and performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Recently his composition Dorland (for solo piano) won first prize in the Contemporary Japanese and American Music Composition Competition resulting in a premiere performance in Yonago, Japan. Dr. Hanna conducted his Fanfare for Peace in the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary in 2003, and premiered his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with the Sam Houston State University Symphony Orchestra in 2004. As a pianist, Dr. Hanna has performed extensively as soloist with various symphony orchestras, most recently with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra. In the spring of 2007, Dr. Hanna released a full-length CD of original works for solo piano entitled Sojournal. Dr. Hanna received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin, and both his Master of Music degree in Composition and his Bachelor of Music degree in Theory/Composition and Piano Performance from Sam Houston State University. He is currently a member of the Society of Composers, and has been awarded artist residencies at the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony (California), the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Villa Montalvo (California), the Isle Royale Artists-in- Residence Program (Michigan), and The Djerassi Resident Artists Program (California).