Reynolds College Blog

Rescue One benefit recital “Paw and Tail” scheduled for March 9

by

Missouri State University and the Department of Music will host a benefit recital for Rescue One at 7:30 p.m. March 9 in Ellis Hall’s C. Minor Recital Hall on the Springfield campus.

“Paw and Tail: A Benefit Concert for Rescue One” is free and open to the public. Representatives from Rescue One will be available to provide information about pet adoption and collect donations.

Mezzo-soprano Dr. Loralee Songer, accompanied by Assistant Professor Perry Mears on piano, will perform a variety of animal-themed songs. Professor Jill Heyboer will join them to play the flute during Andre Previn’s “The Giraffes go to Hamburg.”

Responsible animal care

Rescue One is a foster-based animal rescue organization in Springfield, Missouri, according to Rebekah Redwing, development director at Rescue One.

“While our goal is always to help animals find loving homes, we also work to fill critical gaps in services for animals in our community,” Redwing noted. “This includes our Emergency Rescue Team that partners with law enforcement, our Outreach Program that provides free food, vaccines, and spay/neuter assistance for low-income families, our SafePet program, which provides temporary fostering for victims of domestic violence, and more.”

Redwing said she felt honored that Missouri State selected Rescue One for their benefit recital. “We are hopeful this event will help raise awareness about the importance of responsible animal care.”

[Read more…] about Rescue One benefit recital “Paw and Tail” scheduled for March 9

Dr. Perry Mears brings new chamber music to Midwest audiences

by

Missouri State University’s Dr. Perry Mears, assistant professor of collaborative piano in the Department of Music, performed with oboist Michelle Vigneau, hornist Robert Patterson and cellist Craig Hultgren as part of the Iowa Composers Forum (ICF) Sept. 8, 9 and 10.

The ICF tours feature new music by composers from across the Midwest.

Informal performance format engages audiences

The tour adopted a unique format by holding performances in informal settings throughout Iowa. During the Casual Classics event at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, for example, the performers got to interact with the audience.

“Often times audiences can appreciate newer, more challenging music if the environment is casual, or in some way subverts their expectation of what a classical music event should be,” Mears said.

They also performed in house concerts, such as the historic Potter House in Decorah and a Frank Lloyd Wright House in Quasquaton.

“It was pretty amazing to perform in a Frank Lloyd Wright house,” Mears said. “It’s definitely not a commonplace experience. The piano [had] also been redesigned by Wright to match the sightlines of the living room decor, which affected its height and such, making for a singular performing experience.” [Read more…] about Dr. Perry Mears brings new chamber music to Midwest audiences