University News
Melissa Jean Chávez to Hold Faculty Recital Tuesday
February 24, 2026
MACOMB, IL - The Western Illinois University School of Music will present a Faculty Recital: Songs of Longing and Defiance featuring soprano Melissa Jean Chávez at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 24 in the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Recital Hall.
The first half of this program journeys through beloved classical selections from Schubert, Mozart and Fauré. The second half celebrates the voices of female composers—including Gwyneth Walker, Nell Shaw Cohen, Undine Smith Moore, Florence Price and Lori Laitman—in music of longing, strength, tenderness, and defiant joy.
Chávez will be joined by collaborative pianist Po-Chuan Chiang, oboist Paul Chinen, clarinetist Gloria Inés Orozco Dorada and bassoonist Andrea Baker.
This performance is free and open to the public and will be live-streamed on the School of Music's YouTube channel.
The program will include:
Der Hirt auf dem Felsen (Shepherd on the Rock) - Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
- Gloria Inés Orozco Dorado, clarinet
Mandoline - Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Les roses d'Ispahan
La fée aux chansons
Temerari! sortite fuori…Come scoglio from Cosi fan tutte - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
INTERMISSION
La Ternura - Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947)
1. Meciendo
2. Apegado a mi
3. La luz
4. Con tal que duermas
5. La madre triste
6. Carro del cielo
- Paul Chinen, oboe
Woman Walking - Nell Shaw Cohen (b. 1988)
- Andrea Baker, bassoon
Love, Let the Wind Cry - Undine Smith Moore (1904-1989)
Night - Florence Price (1887-1953)
i am in doubt - Undine Smith Moore
Wild Nights - Lori Laitman (b. 1955)
For more information, call the COFAC Recital Hall office at (309) 298-1843 or visit wiu.edu/recitalhall.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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