On May 10, 2009, the
Lincoln Afterschool Piano Program, in collaboration with the WIU Collegiate Chapter of MTNA, presented a piano recital in the COFAC Recital Hall. All of the young pianists who performed were students of WIU keyboard majors. This piano program will now be under the umbrella of the WIU Community Music School in the Fall 2009 semester. For more information, see the Community Music School website
In the photo (alphabetical order):
WIU student teachers: Nicole DiGrazia, Sarah Holland, Carey Mueller, Nicole Peter, Anna Smith Performers: Evan Baker, Nick Bierman, Isabella Blankenship, Elizabeth Briney, Ariana Burdon, Brianna Cangro, Gabrielle Douglas, Laura Dunlap, Hunter Gasparovich, Rachael Langworthy, Ethan LaPrad, Kathleen LaPrad, Iris McMeekan, Tiairra Sarah Pettigrew, Angel Plate, Christopher Schmidt, Endyiah Simpson, Tabatha Thompson, Emma Thorman, Maggie Vallillo, Bennett Walker, Sophia Walker, Hailey Waters.
Student News
Andrea Beltran Landers, sophomore cello performance major, won one of the spots in the Youth Orchestra of the Americas. YOA players come from North, Central and South America and are chosen by very competitive auditions.
Led by Artistic Advisor, Plácido Domingo, YOA is a multicultural, world-class symphony orchestra of 100 gifted young musicians, aged between 18 and 28, from over 20 countries of the Western Hemisphere. Musicians are selected from a rigorous audition process at local, national and international levels. The finest musicians are chosen to participate on full scholarship, to allow for the greatest diversity possible, regardless of economic background or means. Each July, the musicians gather for a 2-week residency to participate in master classes and rehearsals of diverse and challenging repertoire in preparation for a 3-week concert tour in multiple countries of the Western Hemisphere, and beyond. Over 10,000 youth have auditioned and more than 500 participated in YOA to date.
For more information about the tour.
Alumni News
Justin Davis, MM 2009, will be taking over for Rex Benson as the new director of bands at Mendota High School beginning this August. Davis will be the third director in the last 60 years of this storied program here in Illinois. Davis is a 1999 honors scholar graduate of WIU and a 2009 MM graduate in wind conducting. Most recently he has worked as the operations coordinator for the highly successful International Horn Symposium this June at WIU and for the past two summers as the Assistant Camp Director for WIU Summer Music Camps.
In May 2009, the following WIU School of Music student organizations contributed money and time to the "music stands renovation project."
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, Collegiate Music Educators Association, National Band Association, Music Business Association all contributed hundreds of dollars each to help replenish and purchase new music stands and stand carts for the School of Music and for the International Horn Symposium. Congratulations to these student organizations for stepping up to help our facility needs in the College.
Faculty News
The musical score of
Paul Paccione's composition "Motet No. 1: Arabesque," for four pre-recorded clarinets, is included in the recently published book,
Notations 21, edited by Theresa Sauer (Mark Batty Publisher, New York, NY, 2009). The book draws its inspiration from John Cage's seminal 1968 publication and collection of musical scores, Notations. Notations 21 is a modern compendium and anthology that features the illustrated musical scores of more than 100 international composers who have made a significant contribution to the art of musical notation. The scores are accompanied by written contributions from the artists that explore every facet of their creative processes - from inspiration to execution. Mark Batty Publisher is an independent publisher dedicated to making distinctive books on the visual art of communicating, showcasing the visual power and innovation of contemporary culture in all of its varied poses.
Cooper has received a
United States of America President's Volunteer Service Award—USA Freedom Corps. This national award was presented to Cooper by the President's Council on Service for his work as a member of the Peoria Heritage Ensemble.
The certificate reads,
In recognition and appreciation of your commitment to strengthening our Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service." A portion of the letter from the President's Council reads: "This Award recognizes your dedication to volunteer service and signifies that you have served your community and your country with distinction. Through your volunteer efforts, you are demonstrating values that make our nation strong and you are helping to build a culture of citizenship, service and responsibility in America. By volunteering, you have joined a remarkable team that include millions of Americans whose everyday acts of kindness and decency make our country a better place.
Matt Warnock was featured as a guest soloist with the Quincy University Jazz Band during their May end of semester concert. The concert also featured jazz guitarist
Jesse Mazzoccoli, who will be beginning a Masters of Music in Guitar Performance this fall at WIU, where he will hold a Graduate Assistantship within the WIU Community Music School.
School of Music Website.
