Department of Music Archives - Reynolds College Blog

US Air Force’s Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble to perform in John Goodman Amphitheatre Sept. 17

September 12, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University and the Department of Music invite the public to hear the US Air Force’s Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in the John Goodman Amphitheatre.

The event is coordinated by MSU’s Dr. Jason Hausback, director of jazz studies.

Tickets are free. Registration is required.

Reserve your tickets

According to its website, the Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble is a group of 18 professional enlisted musicians. Their repertoire includes traditional big band jazz, bebop, swing and modern jazz. Several of the band’s members compose and arrange their own works and include them in their performances.

“The USAF Band in St. Louis has brought various groups to our campus several times in the last 10 years, but this is the largest event they have planned thus far,” Hausback said. “There are terrific military band ensembles stationed throughout the country, and we are lucky to have one of the US Air Force units just down the road in St. Louis.”

Noting the group’s mission of outreach, Hausback said having the group perform at MSU serves both students and the community.

“I’m personally excited for this performance because it also gives our students an opportunity to learn about other career paths open to them,” he said. “In addition, it’s an opportunity to recognize and honor our veteran population on campus and in the greater Springfield area.”

“I’m thrilled that the Reynolds College is a willing participant and promoter of events like this,” he added.

Music professor Dr. Daniel Ketter to perform with American Wild Ensemble Sept. 8

August 31, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Dr. Daniel Ketter will perform with the American Wild Ensemble in “Owl at Home” 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Missouri.

“Owl at Home” is part of the ensemble’s “Wild Imagination: The Magic of Musical Storytelling” program, according to Ketter, associate professor in the Department of Music.

Ketter co-directs the ensemble with flutist Dr. Emlyn Johnson. Composer John Liberatore wrote the music for “Owl at Home” and will narrate the part of Owl, Ketter said.

Child watching performers on stage — A young member of the audience watches a “Wild Imagination” performance. Photo credit: Backstory Photography/Jeff Burkhead.

In addition, the ensemble will present Jennifer Murvin’s “Like a Heart, a Bookshop.” Murvin, assistant professor in the Department of English, owns the Pagination Bookshop in Springfield.

Ketter wrote the music for Murvin’s narrative.

Dr. Richard Todd Payne performs in Verdi’s “Aida”

August 20, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Dr. Richard Todd Payne, professor of voice in the Department of Music, performed in a concert production of “Aida” at the Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis, Missouri, July 26, 28 and Aug. 3.

Payne sang the role of Il Re dell’Egitto/The King in the Giuseppe Verdi classic.

First time playing role

Payne noted this was the first time he had played the role of The King. He auditioned in January 2024 and learned a few weeks later that he had been selected.

“I felt excited and humbled to take on a role I have never sung before,” Payne admitted.

“Tremendous Opportunity”

Payne described the “Aida” cast as “amazing” and a joy to work with.

“In the words of Sly & The Family Stone, ‘It’s a Family Affair!'” Payne said. “Such an awesome group of talented and disciplined artists whom I enjoyed working with, learning from and developing new friendships.”

“Because Union Avenue saw in me the capability of bringing this role to life and awarded me this tremendous opportunity, I knew that, from a work ethic perspective, I must be above and beyond prepared,” he added.

Missouri State students excel at national singing auditions

August 7, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Three Missouri State University students from the Department of Music’s voice program took top honors during the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 27-28.

Matthew Juhlin, Theron LePage and Veronika Yerina all advanced to the final rounds and placed in their respective categories, according to Dr. Paula Patterson, head of the music department.

Juhlin placed first and LePage placed second in the Upper Classical TBB (Tenor, Baritone and Bass) Voice category. Juhlin and LePage study voice with Dr. Chris Thompson.

Yerina, who studies voice with Dr. Carol Chapman, placed third in Lower Classical Treble Voice category.

All three received certificates of recognition and monetary awards for their performances.

Emma Gulovsen, Zoe Juhlin, Ryan McIntosh, Tanner Munson, Emily Owings and Jan Veljak all advanced to the semifinal rounds.

University orchestra performs at Carnegie Hall

July 25, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City June 13, 2024, with Dr. Christopher Kelts conducting.

Woman and man hug after music performance — Missouri State alum Jiyeon Lee shares a hug with conductor Dr. Christopher Kelts after performing “Rhapsody in Blue.”

The program included Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to ‘Candide,’” emeritus professor Dr. John Prescott’s “Adagio from Baroque Concerto, Op. 77a” and Florence Price’s “‘Adoration’ for String Orchestra.”

In addition, the orchestra performed George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” accompanied by solo pianist Jiyeon Lee.

Lee, a Missouri State alum, studied with Dr. Hye-Jung Hong, associate professor in the Department of Music.

“Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious venues in the world for music, and it was so exciting to hear our own MSU Symphony students perform there,” said Dr. Paula Patterson, head of the music department.

“The University Symphony performed superbly,” Kelts said.

According to Patterson, several individuals connected with Missouri State attended the performance. These included music faculty, parents, alumni, former MSU president Clif Smart and Dean Shawn Wahl of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH).