Reynolds College Blog

Department of Music shines at MMEA 2026

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Several faculty and students from Missouri State University’s Department of Music attended the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference Jan. 27-31 at the Tan-Tar-A Conference Center in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Dr. Paula Patterson, music department head, described the event as “a great success.” Among the highlights, Dr. Daniel Hellman, professor of music education, was inducted into the MMEA Hall of Fame. In addition, seven music students performed with MMEA’s All-Collegiate Orchestra.

Hellman inducted into Hall of Fame

According to the organization’s website, MMEA’s Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have “made a lasting or enduring impact on the stature and condition of music education in the state of Missouri.” This year, the organization selected Missouri State’s Dr. Daniel Hellman for that distinction.

Woman presenting a Missouri music award to a man
Dr. Daniel Hellman accepts his Hall of Fame award from MMEA President-Elect Chelsea Silvermintz. Photo credit: Missouri Music Educators Association.

Hellman said he felt “deeply honored and genuinely humbled” to receive the award. He was nominated for his long-term efforts to support music educators and students through teacher preparation, service, research and advocacy.

“Being recognized in a room filled with dedicated Missouri music educators was especially meaningful,” he noted. “I have an immense amount of respect for my colleagues around the state.”

Teaching is a “privilege”

Being a professor at Missouri State is both a privilege and a responsibility, Hellman said.

“My work involves helping future teachers in our undergraduate programs and current teachers in our graduate program turn their musicianship, their understanding of teaching, learning and research-informed ideas, into the daily decisions that they make with students.”

The rewards are clear, he added, because he sees the impact Missouri State’s music graduates have on students every single day. [Read more…] about Department of Music shines at MMEA 2026

Reynolds College collaborative concert scheduled for Dec. 4.

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The Department of Music is excited to announce a concert coordinated by Missouri State University’s Choral Union, Symphony Orchestra and dance students from the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Featuring Johannes Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52,” the collaborative effort is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. It is free and open to the public.

Before and after the concert, members of Mu Phi, Missouri State’s music fraternity, will be on hand to collect canned good donations.

“Universally adored” music

Brahms originally composed the waltzes for choir and piano four hands, explained Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco. Later, however, he transcribed several of the movements for choir and orchestra.

“Brahms is accessible for both choir and orchestra, and the music is charming and universally adored,” she said.

Plisco and Missouri State’s Orchestra Director, Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, will share conducting duties for the Liebeslieder. In addition, some of the music department’s graduate conducting students will conduct a few of the movements.

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Dr. Perry Mears and Artist-in-Residence Parker Payne will perform the movements written for just piano and choir.

The concert will also feature additional selections from the orchestra and choir performing separately, Plisco said.

An orchestra on stage
The Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra. Photo credit: Kevin White/Missouri State University.

[Read more…] about Reynolds College collaborative concert scheduled for Dec. 4.

University Symphony Orchestra and Burrell Behavioral Health present Sensory Safe Concert

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The Missouri State Symphony Orchestra and Burrell Behavioral Health (BBH) will present a Sensory Safe Concert 3:30-5:00 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

The “Free to be Yourself” concert provides a “safe place for people of all backgrounds to connect,” said Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, orchestra director and assistant professor in the Department of Music.

Chen hosted sensory-friendly concerts prior to joining Missouri State. “I thought MSU students and the community could benefit from this experience as well,” she said. “I approached Burrell last fall (2024) and they said yes right away.”

Chen and BBH decided to host another fall concert this year because the 2024 concert was so successful.

“We would love to make it an annual event in the future,” Chen said.

Symphonic classics encourage freedom “to be yourself”

Under the concert theme “Free to be Yourself,” the orchestra will perform standard classical symphonic selections like Grainger’s “Irish Tune from County Derry.” This piece was chosen “because Grainer only found freedom to be himself in his music,” Chen said.

Other selections include Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol,” Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2,” second movement and Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 4,” final movement.

Sensory toys and quiet spaces will be available during the concert. “We are grateful for the generosity of MSU’s Project ACCESS and the Burrell Autism Center for donating sensory toys that will be given out at the concert,” Chen said.

The Sensory Safe concert reflects Missouri State’s community outreach mission, she added. The concert provides a place for everyone to feel free to be themselves.

“When my students and I can see the audience’s smiles and the carefree movements, we know our music moved their body and heart.”

Mark your calendar

 

Photo provided by Yi-Ping Chen.

Missouri State University hosts 28th annual President’s Concert

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The Missouri State University President’s Concert celebrates its 28th year with performances of Jocelyn Hagen’s “The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci” and Adolphus Hailstork’s “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes.”

The concert begins at 3:30 p.m. April 27 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The university’s Grand Chorus and Symphony Orchestra will perform under the direction of Dr. Erin E. Plisco, associate director of choral studies in the Department of Music.

The Grand Chorus, which has over 200 student participants, is prepared by Plisco and Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music and director of choral studies.

The orchestra, prepared by orchestra director Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, has roughly 60 students.

[Read more…] about Missouri State University hosts 28th annual President’s Concert