MUSIC - APRIL 2009

 

WIU Symphony Orchestra Major Works Concert

The Western Illinois University Symphony Orchestra, featuring guest German violinist Stephan Schardt, Western's University Singers and Concert Choir, will present their Major Works Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall, located in Simpkins Hall.

Under the direction of Richard Hughey, the Symphony Orchestra will open with the "Oberon Overture" by Carl Maria von Weber. Violinist Schardt will be featured in the second selection, a Niels Gade composition, "Violin Concerto in D Minor Op. 56." And the combined University Singers and the Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. James Stegall will perform Wolfgang Mozart's Mass in C Major KV 327, the "Coronation Mass." The program includes Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei. Read more—see who is performing!

 

WIU Jazz Bands Host "Italian Big Band" Musicians April 17-22; Concert April 21

An international experience right in Macomb awaits students in Western Illinois University's School of Music and jazz studies, when two "Italian Big Band" musicians are in-residence Friday, April 17-Wednesday, April 22.

Jazz artists Marco Renzi (left), guest conductor, and Bepi D'Amato, (right) clarinet, will also participate in a 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 WIU Jazz Bands Concert in the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall, located in Simpkins Hall, said Michael Stryker, assistant professor of jazz piano and director of Western's Jazz Band. General admission is $5 at the door. WIU students will be admitted free with a valid ID, and School of Music faculty will also be admitted free.Marco Renzi is known as the "Father" of big band jazz in Italy and conducts a well known jazz orchestra in Italy called the "Italian Big Band". Read more at WIU News.

 

Music Therapy Students Lobby for Licensure

 

Allison Marcum, senior music therapy student, met with her Senator A. J. Wilhelmi at the Illinois Association for Music Therapy Lobby Day, March 31st in Springfield. Marcum along with 4 other students and Dr. Jennifer Jones participated in the first ever Lobby Day in Illinois seeking sponsorship of legislation to license music therapists in the state.

 

Jennifer Jones presented a session in Bloomington, MN at the Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapy Association conference March 7th titled Listen to the Music: Choosing Recorded Music for Music Therapy using a modified version of Ferrara's musical analysis.

Several music therapy students also attended the conference. These students included Lizi Konieczny, Jonathan Wilcoxen, Michael Hankosky, Allison Peters, and Allison Marcum. Jones and students had dinner with recent WIU music therapy graduates Emily DiIulio Sevcik (BA 2008) and Denise Droege (BA 2008) who are both board certified music therapists.

ALUMNI NEWS

Jill King (BA 2000) began a new position in September 2008 as a music librarian (Reference/Instruction Librarian and Music Bibliographer) at DePaul University in Chicago. Prior to this, she worked for the Chicago Public Library for four years after receiving a dual MM in Musicology from Northwestern University and MA in Library Science from Dominican University.

 

Atkins Wrote the Book on Touring and Gives Guest Lecture

Drummer and session musician Martin Atkins presented a guest lecture entitled "The Business of Art" on March 2 at WIU. He currently teaches at Columbia College; is author of Tour:Smart, "the first real book on touring"; owner of Invisible Records label in Chicago; and is known for his work for post punk/industrial groups such as Public Image Ltd, Ministry and Pigface. The event was co-sponsored by University Union Board, The Marketing Association, and The Music Business Association.

Atkins' presentation was taped and he was interviewed by University TV and will be used in their new student-focused show, "Viral Dog" in the Fall.

 

 

FACULTY NEWS

Dr. Chung-Ha Kim was invited to present a solo recital and a masterclass at Mount Union College (Alliance, OH) on March 17 and 18, 2009. Her recital program consisted of works by American composers Bruce Mahin, Samuel Barber, Charles Griffes, and Lowell Liebermann.

Nicole Peter, Senior Piano Performance student of Dr. Chung-Ha Kim, was offered a scholarship by the Brevard Music Center, an annual summer music institute and festival in North Carolina. The festival will take place from June 26 to August 9, 2009. 400 students and 75 guest artists and faculty members will engage in learning, teaching, and performing.

 

 

Matt Warnock spent a day of residency at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and the Stevens Point Area High School in March. During his time at both schools Warnock worked with three vocal jazz groups, the University Combo students and held a master class for the jazz guitar majors at UWSP.

On March 31st Warnock's new book, which he co-authored with Dr Brandon Bernstein, was released by Mel Bay publications. The book, Kurt Rosenwinkel: East Coast Love Affair Guitar Transcripts, consists of a complete transcription of the album with a full analysis for each solo transcription.

 

James Caldwell Delivered the Distinguished Faculty Lecture

James Caldwell, professor of music composition and theory in Western Illinois University's School of Music, presented the University's 2009 Distinguished Faculty Lecture, "Musical Space and Musical Expression," on March 23 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication Recital Hall.

"Images and metaphors of space and time permeate the way musicians talk about, think about and listen to music," Caldwell said. "In this lecture for the non-specialist audience, he explored with liberal use of recorded examples from a wide range of styles, space as a topic in songs and instrumental music, the musical depiction of space and the empirical spaces in which music is performed and heard. Read more.

 

 

School of Music Website.