November 2018 Newsletter

Immaculata University Music Department Newsletter November 2018 Editor: Taylor Stroup

Table of Contents Music Education Club Update‌2 Music Therapy Club Update‌2 Meet the Adjunct Professor .....2 Music Department Graduates: Where are they now? ...............3 Review of The Curtis Symphony Concert ......................................3 Review of the Concert Band concert .......................................6 Eric Whitacre Virtual Choir 5 ...7 Concert Corner .........................8

On Saturday, October 27th, 2018, The Curtis Symphony from The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia traveled to Immaculata University to perform in our theater.

They put on a tremendous concert for community members and students that afternoon. Continue to page 4 to read more!

Picture by Mr. Joseph Gehring

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Music Therapy Club During the past month, music therapy club hosted a movie night. They showed Nightmare Before Christmas and served fallthemed snacks. The goal of this event was to bring members of the music therapy club and members of the general student body at Immaculata together, and with a turnout of about twenty people, that goal was reached.

Upcoming events include an open mic night with a date to be

determined, where students can bring songs, poetry, and/or comedy to share with peers.

There will also be a partnership with student life in the spring semester to bring back The Voice. As always, keep an eye on our Instagram: @iu_music_therapy_club and our snapchat: IU Music Therapy Club for updates on our meetings and upcoming events!

Madison Molnar, Class of 2020

Meet our Adjunct: Dr. Robert Frazier

Dr. Robert Frazier is the adjunct French Horn teacher and teaches conducting classes for Immaculata University. Dr. Frazier also acts as the Director for Instrumental Music at Westtown School in West Chester. He has taught countless classes over his 20 years of teaching and recently earned his doctorate earlier this year. Raised in New Hampshire, Dr. Frazier has two children and is husband to his wife, who he met while studying Music Ed. Beyond the usual school teaching, he’s worked in youth groups and summer camps from time

to time, most notably with the 3,000 people living in Grand Canyon National Park. Always fascinated with music, Dr. Frazier played as the 2nd chair for the ChesCoPops for the now past Halloween concerts as well as being principle for a group based in Valley Forge. His outgoing and charismatic personality makes him great with teaching children of all ages and keeping classes active and engaging. Thanks for all the great work, Dr. Frazier!

Music Education Club Madison McGrogan, Class of 2021

During October, Music Education club reviewed the schedule for the PMEA InService day on November 6th.

The In-Service is at Great Valley High School and will be a great networking opportunity for all of the music education students at IU. We have also planned some upcoming meetings where Music Education club will be hosting ukulele workshops and bucket drumming sessions. The Music Education club is open to anyone, so if you would like to join us to learn more about ukulele and what bucket drumming is all about keep an eye out for more information in the upcoming weeks!

If there are any questions, please contact Alyssa Wiltbank, Class of 2019; Madison McGrogan, Class of 2021; or Carrie Hawbaker, Class of 2021.

James Dunwoody, Class of 2021

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Music Department Graduates: Where are They Now? Paige Gale, Class of 2018, Music Therapy Intern I have been interning at Seasons Hospice in Tampa, FL for four and a half months and love what I am doing. The site I am at was a “start-up site” meaning it has only been open for about a year. When I first started my internship there were only about forty patients. Just last week, our site admitted its 100th patient! As the music therapy intern, my patient caseload hovers around thirty people, give or take a couple because it is hospice. It is sometimes emotionally taxing to watch so many patients dying, but it is worth every second to help them and their families go through the most difficult time of their life and provide support to them when they need it most.

I have had so many fun, challenging, and life-changing experiences that I will have stories to tell for years. I got to run a group at a camp for children who have lost a loved one because another music therapist got sick and could not go. It was really fun watching the children express themselves in a drum circle. I witnessed someone take their last breath as I was playing “Moon River” for them. The nurse called me and told me this patient was in a lot of pain and asked me to come out and play some soothing music for her. It was a very touching experience to provide the music that could help the patient relax and make the transition from the living world more comforting. One of the most unexpected and probably grossest experiences I have had was helping one patient clean their house. To make a long story short, she is a hoarder, her medication went missing, and the social worker, nurse, volunteer coordinator, and I cleaned her house to look for it. There were a lot of roaches and spiders, but the patient was so appreciative and seeing the smile on her face was worth it all. I also got to bond with some other team members during that whole experience. What I have learned here so far is to expect the unexpected and be spontaneous.

Overall, this internship has been a great experience so far and I have learned so much about music therapy and myself over the past four and a half months. It’s hard to believe I only have about a month left. I never thought I would love working in hospice as much as I do now. I am excited to see what the rest of my internship has to offer (hopefully a job)!

Pictured above is Paige Gale working at Camp Kangaroo and Paige with her supervisor, Amanda Zubillaga Sanderson.

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Review of The Curtis Symphony “…had the audience captivated the entire performance…”

On October 27th, 2018, at 3:00pm in Alumnae Hall, the Immaculata community was graced with the top-notch professionalism and artistry of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra from Philadelphia. This concert, in particular, was the first of three concerts that will be presented on our campus for this 2018-2019 academic year. Guests, students, and Immaculata staff/faculty were excited to see this orchestra locally at an inexpensive price. In the lobby of Alumnae Hall, concertgoers saw a beautifully crafted 2018 Steinway & Sons Spirio Concert Grand Piano. This innovative 21st century piano was self-playing recorded musical selections displayed on a monitor as guests entered the theater. The piano was graciously provided by Jacobs Music. This concert was a tribute to Gary Graffman, a former faculty member of Curtis, for his 90th Birthday. The symphony performed: Thomas's Brio, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor, Op.30, and Stravinsky's Petrushka. This article will review the Curtis Symphony Concert, from a student's

perspective, describing the details of this successful eye-opening afternoon of music.

The first piece the symphony performed was Brio composed by: Augusta Read Thomas (b.

1965). This dance, Stravinskylike piece was lively and exciting! The audience was kept on the edge of their seats because they never knew what kind of musical episode was approaching next. Thomas was one of the first American women to achieve international prominence in composition. Critics say that her writing style has created a new cohort of composers. As an upperclassman, this piece reminded me of some 20th century pieces that I have heard in Dr. Carr's Music History III class. Thomas was Chicago Symphony's longest- serving composer in residence. She is currently a professor at the University of Chicago.

The next work the symphony performed was Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor, Op.30 featuring Haochen Zhang, who was Graffman's student at Curtis.

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Rachmaninoff dedicated this three-movement work to Josef Hofmann who became the director of the Curtis Institute many years later (while Graffman was a student). Zhang was the Gold Medalist and First Prize winner of the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009, becoming one of the youngest winners in the history of the competition. Rachmaninoff composed this piece in 1909 when he was sensing change for his homeland that he fled in 1906. This work has a thick, beautiful texture that makes it one of the rewarding compositions in orchestral repertoire. Zhang's musicianship was remarkable! The expression and technical precision, in his piano playing, had the audience captivated the entire performance of this piece. The finale was also a great highlight because of the explosive cadenzas and the use of cymbals.

The final work was Igor Stravinsky's (1882-1971) Petrushka (1947) which consisted of program music to four scenes. This piece was breath-taking to hear in person and witness the magic of guest conductor, Giancarlo Guerrero! This piece is about Petrushka, a mischievous Harlequin-like figure of Russian folklore.

He is a puppet that comes to life and agitates anyone who is in his path. The rest of the story is chaotic as Petrushka comes in contact with puppet rivalry and discovers his self- rage. Stravinsky's vision/purpose for this work was to have the audience paint a picture in their head of what is happening in each tableau. The Curtis Symphony was majestic in their delivery of this story. The different parts of the orchestra had a featured part throughout the four scenes. When the puppets retaliate in the third tableau, the trumpets have these loud blasts of sound that is shocking to the listeners.

Overall, this concert was a wonderful musical experience for everyone in attendance. As an Immaculata community, we are very grateful when these experiences happen because it further expands our musical curiosity and appreciation. I left the concert wanting more and excited for the next performance!

Alyssa Wiltbank, Class of 2019

Pictures provided by Mr. Joseph Gehring

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Review of the Concert Band Concert The Immaculata University Concert Band performed in The Great Hall, Sunday October 21st, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. Student players consisted of Julia Brawley and Krista Quinn (clarinet), David Graham and Kyle MacFadden (saxophone), Megan Hernandez (baritone), Madison Molnar (trombone), James Dunwoody (french horn) Jason Roamer (tuba), Naomi Thompson (percussion), Carrie Hawbaker, Jessica Migrala, Tarynn Garrett, and Taylor Stroup (flute), and Emma Richey (Oboe).

The concert began with the piece Joy in All Things by Brian Balmages, then Toccata by Girolamo Frescobaldi, and Land of the Midnight Sun by Robert Buckley.

Joy in All Things is a piece that conveys an exuberant expression of joy, hence the name, and it begins with a series of brass fanfares accompanied by percussion interludes and woodwind flourishes.

This piece was exciting because it featured a series of solos for flute on and off stage. Toccata was an interesting piece to play because it is

a unique form of instrumental music being that it is originally written for the organ, and it is was improvised when it was written. Because this piece is a “Toccata” it is referred to as a “touch piece” which essentially means that the music is characterized by sections with sustained chords, scale passages, and broken figure. The audience was enveloped with the big sound of the Toccata. Land of the Midnight Sun took the audience on a musical journey that depicted the breaking of the ice and the warming of the land. The music ebbed and flowed within the band and builds to the create colorful tones and sweeping melodies. The middle of the concert featured our senior percussionist Naomi Thompson on the drum set with Stick and Stones by Jim Barney.

This was a very fun and unique piece because it gave the opportunity for Naomi to show off her drum set skills in a formal concert band setting. The piece was inspired by Jazz and Rock drummers, so it gave the concert band an opportunity to play something in that style. The audience responded to this with open arms. The next piece

played was a classic march because, who puts on a concert band performance without a march! This march was the Radetzky March by Johann Strauss. The audience really responded to this piece with some clapping on the beat and it was a joy to be a part of this music. The concert ended on a good note with the final piece, Alleluia Laudamus Te by Alfred Reed. All the music performed during this concert was well prepared, and thoroughly executed. The concert band did a stellar job. To see the Immaculata University Concert Band perform again this semester, come join us at Carol Night on Friday, December 7th, 2018.

Krista Quinn, Class of 2020

Pictures provided by Mauri Dillon

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Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 5 On Friday, November 16, 2018, Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 5: Deep FieldThe Impossible Magnitude of Our Universe will premiere live on YouTube beginning at 7:00AM. This Virtual Choir will be Whitacre's largest to date featuring over 8,000 singers from 120 different countries. The audio single, Deep Field, featuring the Virtual Choir, Eric Whitacre Singers, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be released on ITunes the same day as the premiere. The final video production will also be shown in a VIP screening at The Kennedy Space Center on the day of the premiere as well. Senior, Alyssa Wiltbank, will be one of the singers in this newly innovative and exciting project. Her name will appear in the soprano section in the video's end credits.

Eric Whitacre is a Grammy® award-winning American composer and conductor who is known for his viral Virtual Choir projects on YouTube as well as his work as composer and conductor for his professional ensemble, the Eric Whitacre Singers. Deep Field is unique because of its collaboration between Eric Whitacre, producers Music

Productions, scientists and visualizers from the Space Telescope Science Institute, and multi award-winning artists 59 Productions. The piece tells the story of the Hubble Deep Field.

After being left in space for 10 days, the Hubble Space Telescope revealed over 3,000 galaxies that had never been seen before and each one is composed of hundreds of billions of stars. The production is set to include iconic images from the Hubble's imagery with never before seen galaxy fly-bys as well as creative animations.

Following the premiere, Virtual Choir 5: Deep Field- The Impossible Magnitude of Our Universe will be seen in presentations in museums, galleries, at festivals, and science/ music events worldwide. It will also be performed at concert performances, with the score performed live, with orchestra and chorus.

Alyssa Wiltbank is a senior Music Education(K-12) Major with voice as her primary instrument of study. She studies applied voice with Mrs. Diana Borgia-Petro.

Alyssa Wiltbank, Class of 2019 Alexis Reavill, Class of 2019

Pictures showing Alyssa Wiltbank’s acceptance into the virtual choir Pictures provided by Alyssa Wiltbank

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Concert Corner: Upcoming Concerts at Immaculata and in the area November is a busy month for performances at Immaculata University! Listed below are the upcoming performances on Immaculata’s campus. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Saturday, November 3rd: Immaculata Symphony in Alumnae Hall at 7:30pm Friday, November 9th: Immaculata Chorale in Great Hall at 7:30pm Tuesday, November 13th: Immaculata Ensembles in Memorial Hall at 7:30pm Thursday, November 29th: Immaculata Jazz Ensemble in Memorial Hall at 7:30pm

If you are not able to make some of the upcoming concerts and still need convocation credit, West Chester University is ten minutes down the road and frequently hosts concerts for their ensembles and students. All concerts are free and open to the public. Please check West Chester’s event calendar for the locations, as each concert is in a different building. If you are interested in using a concert listed below for convocation credit, please check with Mr. Gehring first and bring back a program!

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Wednesday, November 7th: Trumpet Ensemble at 8:15pm Monday, November 12th: Guest performers: David Friedman and Tony Miceli, on vibraphones at 7:30pm Wednesday, November 14th: Guitar Ensemble at 8:15pm Thursday, November 15th: Recital Choir at 7:30pm Thursday, November 15th: Symphony Orchestra at 8:15pm Friday, November 16th: Jazz Ensemble at 7:30pm Tuesday, November 27th: Statemen Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Choir Vocal Jazz at 8:15pm Wednesday, November 28th: Flute Ensemble at 8:15pm Thursday, November 29th: Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Winds at 8:15pm Saturday, December 1st: 97th Holiday Program at 3pm

November is full of opportunity for performances, so we hope you take seize the opportunity and attend as many as possible!

Taylor Stroup, Class of 2019

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