Department of Music Archives - Page 2 of 5

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).

Percussion students bring home top honors

May 31, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Sophomore music performance major Lyndon Wilson and senior music education major Alex Sharkey took top honors at the Missouri Percussive Arts Society College Marimba Competition April 13, 2024, in Columbia, Missouri.

Wilson and Sharkey are both students of Dr. Scott Cameron, associate professor in the Department of Music.

“Several MSU students have competed over the past several years, but Lyndon is the first student to take first place,” Cameron said.

Drawn to percussion from an early age

Wilson and Sharkey both started playing musical instruments as young children.

“I was drawn to percussion because I, like most people, enjoyed hitting things as a small child,” said Sharkey, who plans to be a band director. “I was drawn to the marimba specifically because, in my opinion, it has the most engaging and musically challenging literature of any instrument in the percussion family.”

In addition to being able to play all the percussion instruments, Sharkey is also a classically trained pianist.

Wilson, who plans to earn a Ph.D. in music performance and teach at the university level, was heavily influenced by his family to play percussion instruments.

“Both of my parents were percussionists and so was my oldest brother,” he explained. “However, in college my passion for this instrument family and performing has grown astronomically.”

Young man playing marimba. — Lyndon Wilson during his first place marimba performance.

President’s Concert on April 28 to feature masterwork performances

April 16, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The MSU Grand Chorus and MSU Symphony Orchestra will join forces to perform the annual President’s Concert Sunday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

The concert is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required.

A long-standing, end-of-year tradition

Conducted by Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies, the annual President’s Concert is a long-standing, end-of-year tradition presented by the Department of Music.

The orchestra is prepared by Dr. Chris Kelts, director of orchestral studies, and the choirs are prepared by Dr. Erin Plisco, associate director of choral studies, and LaBarr.

“Seeing and hearing the caliber of musicians on stage creating beautiful music together is truly amazing,” LaBarr said. “It is one of my favorite events of the year.”

This also will be Clif Smart’s final President’s Concert to sponsor as president of MSU.

President Clif Smart stands at podium with orchestra on stage — President Clif Smart speaks at the 2016 President’s Concert performed that year at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. Photo credit: Bob Linder, Missouri State University.

Soloists have special connections to MSU

This year’s concert will feature four soloists: Kara Ann McBain (soprano), Caitlin Moore (mezzo-soprano), Brandon Michael Nase (tenor) and Jared Swope (baritone).

Each soloist has a special connection to MSU, according to LaBarr.

McBain is a graduate of MSU who studied voice with Dr. Carol Chapman and sang in the MSU Chorale, LaBarr said. She has recorded commercially as a soloist on two of the Chorale’s albums.

Swope is a graduate of MSU who studied with Dr. Chris Thompson and also sang in the MSU Chorale. He has completed graduate degrees at University of Notre Dame and Yale University and now sings professionally around the world.

Nase is currently serving as guest artist in the Department of Music for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Moore and LaBarr met when LaBarr was a faculty member at Lee University. Moore sang professionally in the Tennessee Chamber Chorus, which LaBarr conducted at the time. Moore is now at Colorado Mesa University. [Read more…] about President’s Concert on April 28 to feature masterwork performances

MSU Chorale performs in South Korean international music festivals

April 3, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Missouri State University Chorale was invited to represent North America at the 8th annual Jeju International Choir Festival and Symposium on Jeju Island, South Korea, Feb. 17-27.

The Chorale also performed in the Incheon Free Economic Zone International Choral Festival and the Pacem World Choir Festival.

During their stay, the Chorale sang in several of South Korea’s finest performing arts centers, alongside choirs from Estonia, Latvia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

“This trip was my first out of the country and I couldn’t be happier that it got to be with such an amazing, supportive group of people,” said Alandra Hutchens, a junior vocal music education major.

“People were weeping, with ear-to-ear smiles”

The Chorale enjoyed performing a wide variety of music—from American folk songs and spirituals to the music of Bob Dylan and Ruthie Foster—during their visit, according to Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart professor in music and director of choral studies.

“The Chorale performed a choral arrangement of Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are a-Changing,’ which was quite meaningful to the singers and the audiences,” LaBarr said.

“With every new emotion we were trying to convey, the crowds were right there with us,” said Chorale baritone Gabe Adams. “Not only were we, as a choir, incredibly excited to share our music with the audiences, the audiences were also excited to hear what we had to share.”

Group of people singing — Graduate student Erich Eastman performs with the MSU Chorale at the Jeju Arts Center.

During their visit, the students enjoyed meeting and singing for Korean composers Hyo-Won Woo and Jihoon Park, as well as performing with traditional Korean drums played by Go Seokjin.

“Performing ‘Arirang’ with the Korean drums was the moment I truly understood how meaningful this song is, and it will be a profound memory of mine,” said sophomore vocal performance major Addison Collins. “The reaction of the audience solidified that for me, as people were weeping with ear-to-ear smiles—so touching and joyful.”

Reynolds College faculty members receive Excellence in Community Engagement Awards

February 21, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Two faculty members from the Reynolds College have been recognized for their outstanding service to community.

The Faculty Excellence in Community Engagement Award was awarded to Dr. John Prescott, professor in the Department of Music, and Dr. William Sandel, assistant professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

MSU Provost John Jasinski was present to congratulate Prescott and Sandel for their achievements.

Reynolds College Dean Shawn Wahl said he was pleased to see two RCASH faculty be awarded for their efforts.

“The Faculty Excellence in Community Engagement Award is a way to recognize the significant contributions MSU faculty make outside the classroom,” Wahl said. “I’m especially proud to see Dr. Prescott and Dr. Sandel of RCASH receive this important distinction.”

Eight individuals posing for camera — L-R: Provost John Jasinski; Dean Shawn Wahl; Associate Dean Jason Jolley; Dr. William Sandel; Dr. John Prescott; Dr. Brett Garland, Director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; Dr. Paula Patterson, Interim Head, Department of Music; Associate Dean Jake Simmons.

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