OVERTONES Published by the Longwood University Music Department 201 High Street Farmville, Virginia 23909
Longwood University Department of Music
Fall 2015
CELEBRATING
Years of Holiday Concerts
CALLING ALL MUSIC/CAMERATA SINGERS ALUMNI YOU ARE INVITED TO A RECEPTION/GATHERING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2015 2:00 pm - Current music majors will lead tours of campus. 3:00 pm - Refreshments provided by the LU Alumni Office 3:00-4:00 pm - Molnar Recital Hall will be open for stories and impromptu performances. Parking will be available in the Library/Wygal Lot. Additional visitor parking will be available in the Pine Street South Lot off Wynne Drive.
To register and/or update your contact information visit http://www.longwood.edu/music/62866.htm
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Alumni are also invited to attend the 40th annual Holiday Dinner & Concert on Friday, December 4 or Saturday, December 5 beginning at 6:30 pm each evening. Tickets for the Dinner & Concert are $45 per person. For information on how to purchase tickets visit http://www.longwood.edu/music/16486.htm
ROM THE CHAIR Greetings! Welcome to Overtones, your annual update from The Department of Music at Longwood University. As chair, I encourage you to explore our website at www.longwood.edu/music to learn more. I know you’ll find that our activities reflect many of your own interests. We’re poised for another terrific academic year. Our eight fulltime and ten adjunct faculty members continue to serve a student body of about 70 music majors, and this fall we once again welcome a promising new class of first-year students.
I’m pleased to announce that all of our faculty members will continue to serve this year. Dr. Lisa Kinzer, Professor of Piano, will be on sabbatical leave for the fall semester, with projects including special performances and design of new curricula. In her absence the keyboard instruction will be handled by Ms. Kristen Topham, who also is entering her second year as an Adjunct Instructor. In another area, Spencer Smith, a 2015 Music Education alum, will conduct our extra-curricular string ensemble. He’ll be assisted by Brooke Mahanes, a professional violinist from Charlottesville. Ms. Mahanes plans to teach the strings techniques courses for our music education majors in the spring semester, as well. As you know, music plays a prominent role in our campus life. Academically, our
department provides top-flight instruction and exceptional experiences to our students. We also serve as a vital cultural resource for Central Virginia, touching the lives of thousands. We’re proud of our work, and invite you to join us at any of our upcoming events, such as the Holiday Dinner and Concert, the concerts of the Chamber Music Series, ensemble concerts, and recitals by faculty and students. Music at Longwood continues to thrive. On behalf of the department, I thank you for your interest and support. On a personal level, I look forward to working with the faculty, administration, staff, students, alumni, and patrons - all the people who are the program and share a vision for its excellence. Here’s hoping we’ll see you soon! Charles Kinzer, PhD Chair, Department of Music
CAMERATA SINGERS / MUSIC ALUMNI CONTACT INFORMATION
NAME MAILING ADDRESS EMAIL ADDRESS PHONE
GRADUATION YEAR
DEGREE
_____ I WAS A MEMBER OF SIGMA ALPHA IOTA _____ I WAS A MEMBER OF PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA
_____ I(WE) WILL ATTEND THE ALUMNI GATHERING _____ JUST UPDATE MY CONTACT INFORMATION
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HOLIDAY DINNERS TURNS 40 FOR FORTY YEARS, with various names, performing ensembles, directors, formats, and locations, the Longwood University Department of Music dinner/concert has been one of the highlights of the holiday season. What began as a Renaissance Madrigal Dinner under Dr. James McCray has evolved over the years to become a much-loved Longwood tradition that celebrates music at the end of the Fall semester. The Madrigal format continued under Dr. Lee Egbert, and was transformed into the current musicfood-music-food arrangement under Dr. Don Trott in 1988. For several years the musical portions of the evening were performed on two concerts the following week in the Molnar Recital Hall of the Wygal Music Building. Musically, the program has included a wide variety of ensembles and soloists. Camerata Singers, Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and Lancer Edition Show Choir have all been featured choral groups, while instrumentally, the Jazz Ensemble and Wind Symphony along with the smaller Handbell, Percussion, Brass, Flute, and Saxophone Ensembles have appeared. Numerous faculty and student soloists, including recipients of the Holiday Dinner Scholarships, have performed. Special events have included the performance of an opera with soloists, chorus, and pit ensemble in 1992, and the 1997 concert featured music from the Roy Clark and Cameratas Christmas CD, which had just been released. In the Fall of 2000 the event moved from Blackwell to the just-opened Dorrill Dining Hall, where the event continues to flourish. In 2002 Longwood College became Longwood University, and this event became the Holiday Dinner/Concerts
instead of the Christmas Dinner/Concerts. While we still perform a great deal of Christmas music, the change opened up the event to more music and to people of other faith (or non-faith!) traditions. One aspect of the original performance location has continued to the present. In the original format guests gathered under the Ruffner rotunda and choral fanfares were sung by the Camerata Singers from the upper levels to “herald the banquet feaste,” the “openyng of the great hall,” and the “procession of ye lords and ladyes.” To rehearse these fanfares the Cameratas would sing these during their normal rehearsal time during the day, and faculty and students enjoyed listening in the rotunda. Since the dinner/concert location has moved the Camerata Singers have continued the performance of carols and holiday music in the rotunda on the last day of the semester. Chamber Singers now herald the guests as they enter the Dining Hall, and several instrumental ensembles welcome guests as they make their way to the Feast which, as always, ends with Baked Alaska for dessert. YEAR CHORAL DIRECTOR
EVENTS
1976
James McCray
Men admitted as fulltime students, Camerata Singers formed. First Renaissance Madrigal dinner
1978
Lee Egbert
1987
John Campbell
Charles Dickens Christmas
1988
Don Trott
Christmas Dinner/Concert format. Handbell Ensemble performs, Paul Hesselink director
1989
2 concerts performed the following week
1990
Lancer Edition Show Choir performs
1992
Randall Thompson opera performed
1993
Jazz Ensemble performs, Charles Kinzer director
1997
Roy Clark Christmas CD selections performed
1998
Wind Symphony performs, Gordon Ring conductor
1999
Percussion Ensemble performs, Lowell Harper director
2000
Dorrill Dining Hall opens
2002
Dennis Malfatti
2007
Ryan Hebert
2009 2011 2015
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Name changes to Holiday Dinner/Concert, Longwood College becomes Longwood University
Lancer Steel performs, Chris Thomas director Pamela McDermott 40th Annual Dinner
FALL 2015 CONCERTS, RECITALS, AND EVENTS AUGUST 24 - First Night Faculty Gala, 7:30 pm
SEPTEMBER 4 - James String Quartet with Lisa Kinzer, piano, 7:30 pm 10 – Convocation, 4:00 pm, Lancaster Lawn 21 – Chamber Music Series - Kevork Mardirossian, violin, and Lee Phillips, piano, 7:30 pm
OCTOBER 3 - Octoberfest, campus wide 10 - Honor Choir Auditions, all day 14 - Chamber Music Series – Julie Fowlis, celtic music, 7:30 pm, Jarman Auditorium 19 – Faculty Recital, David Niethamer/Lisa Kinzer, clarinet/piano, 7:30 pm 24 – LU Honors Choir/All Choirs, 7:30 29 - Camerata Singers/Chamber Choir, 7:30 pm, Jarman Auditorium 30 - Junior Trumpet Recital, Tyler Gage, 7:30 pm 31 - Senior Lecture/Composition Recital, Sam Andrews, 4:00 pm
NOVEMBER 1 – String Ensemble, 4:00 pm 5 - Wind Symphony, 7:30 pm, Jarman Auditorium 6 - Senior Voice/Clarinet Recital, Whitney Hackney/Amelia Cohen, 7:30 pm 7 - Senior Voice Recital, Melissa Tussing, 7:30 pm 8 – Junior Piano/Voice Recital, Leah Parr/Roxanne Cook, 4:00 pm 13 – Faculty Voice/Guitar Recital, Christopher Swanson/Andrew McEvoy, 7:30 pm 14 – Senior Voice Recital, Katie Fountain, 7:30 pm 14 - Prospective Student Auditions, all day 15 – Guest Voice/Piano Recital, Lucy Hoyt, soprano/Deborah Hollis, 4:00 pm 17 - Jazz Ensembles, 7:30 pm, Jarman Auditorium 19-21 - Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, Norfolk 22 – Percussion Ensemble, 4:00 pm 23 - University Choirs, 7:30 pm, Jarman Auditorium DECEMBER 4 - Camerata Singers Carols, 11:15 am, Rotunda 4/5 - Holiday Dinner & Concert, 6:30 pm, Dorrill Dining Hall (tickets required)
All events are held in Molnar Auditorium in the Wygal Music Building except where noted. Contact the Music Department Office at 434.395.2504 or music@longwood.edu for more information or to confirm these dates.
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THOMAS A. WILLIAMS spiring passion for music and an uncompromising, deeply felt love for the people in his life. Those who heard him speak or sing recognized that the sound of his wonderful baritone voice was a gift. Thom's extraordinary talents as a singer, actor, pedagogue, choral director, artist, cook, quilter, set constructor and gardener are inspiring to those who knew him. His quick wit and intensely passionate nature made his life, and ours, all the richer. Thom is survived by his sister, Joanne Edmonson; children, Jennifer Westcott, Kate Williams and Joel Williams; grandchildren, who knew him as "Gus," Alan, Andrew, Rebecca, Henry, Alice and Isaac; and Baby Doe, his loving rescue dog who was at his side until the end. A memorial service was held on October 18, 2014, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s James Black Music Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richmond Animal League or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
hom Williams, 72, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, September 28, 2014, in Richmond, Virginia, surrounded by his three children. An internationally renowned baritone singer, Thom held degrees from the University of Montevallo and Louisiana State University. Having earned the title of Associate Professor Emeritus of Music, Thom taught voice at Longwood University from 1979 to 2007. In Farmville, Thom participated in and directed musical theater productions at Longwood, where he played an especially memorable lead in "Man of La Mancha." He also directed the Chancel Choir at Farmville United Methodist Church and at Farmville Baptist Church. Thom performed for the OperaFestival di Roma program in Italy during summer break for several years. During his retirement, Thom served as music director of the Richmond Choral Society and was a soloist at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. His performances were eagerly anticipated by all, and he communicated an in-
HELP SUPPORT MUSIC AT LONGWOOD
Donations to the Department of Music may be designated for the Chamber Music Series or for Music: General Use. The Music/General Fund encompasses operations, equipment, and special projects, and student travel, and it is a vital supplement to the regular funding from the university. For more information, please contact theMusic Department Office (434-395-2504), or the Office of University Advancement (434-395-2028, online at http://www.longwood.edu/advancement/makeagift.htm).
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COMMENCEMENT 2015
2015 Wind Symphony Graduates Spencer Smith, Alyssa Jones, Bernard Royster
Bachelor of Arts - Music
Lauren Kushner, Stephens City, VA (August 2014 graduate) Amanda Nazario, Stafford, VA Kathryn Perry, Arlington, VA Bernard Royster, Clarksville, VA (December 2014 graduate) Molly Schranck, Falls Church, VA
Bachelor of Music
Aaron Brown, Palmyra, VA - education (December 2014 graduate) Vera Crouse, Chesapeake, VA - education Alyssa Jones, Collinsville, VA - education (December 2014 graduate) Dawn Seto, Charlottesville, VA - education Michelle Shin, Newport News, VA - piano pedagogy Spencer Smith, Chesapeake, VA - education
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2015 – 2016
M U S I C SCHOL ARSHIP RECIPIEN TS HULL MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS Taylor Liptak, piano (Hanover HS/Mechanicsville) Montana Nelson, clarinet (Louisa County HS/Palmyra) HAGA MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP Leah Parr, piano (Tabb HS/Yorktown) ROY CLARK SCHOLARSHIPS Joshua Ellis, piano (Richmond Christian School/Sandston) Whitney Hackney, voice (Warhill HS/Williamsburg) Halie Leslie, voice (Manchester HS/Chesterfield) Kathleen Lucas, voice (Clover Hill HS/Chesterfield) WAVERLY COLE SCHOLARSHIPS Roxanne Cook, voice (Bishop O’Donnell HS/Falls Church) Tiarrah Crouch, flute (Dan River HS/Ringgold) Naiihrr Dryden-Mason, voice (Thomas Dale HS/Chester) Joshua Golub, saxophone (Lafayette HS/Williamsburg) Cody Leonard, saxophone (Nottoway HS/Crewe) Daryl Love, percussion (Denbigh HS/Newport News) Akim Mansaray, voice (Monacan HS/North Chesterfield) Laura Millon, voice (Herndon HS/Reston) Haley Mizelle, voice (Dinwiddie HS/Petersburg) Leah Parr, piano (Tabb HS/Yorktown) Lauren Peters, voice (Smithfield HS/Smithfield) Danielle Rauchwarg, piano (Jamestown HS/Williamsburg) Gerald Ratté, tuba (Powhatan HS/Powhatan) Carlito Trotter, voice (Hylton HS/Woodbridge) Emily Turner, horn (Hanover HS/Mechanicsville) Michael Velez, trombone (Tabb HS/Yorktown) Kirsten Vis, clarinet (Tabb HS/Yorktown) Lucas Whirley, saxophone (Randolph-Henry HS/Keysville) LINDA P. AND RICHARD F. SMITH MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP Adam Kronk, trumpet (Douglas Freeman HS/Henrico) MARY PUCKETT ASHER KING SCHOLARSHIP Adam Kronk, trumpet (Douglas Freeman HS/Henrico) HOLIDAY DINNER SCHOLARSHIPS Amelia Cohen, clarinet (Douglas Freeman HS/Henrico) Madelyn Magnotti, voice (Lake Braddock HS/Burke) Nicholas Thames, percussion (Bluestone HS/Nelson) SIGMA ALPHA IOTA ROSE SCHOLARSHIP Kathryn Zeh, flute (New Kent County HS/Quinton) NANCY JANE JONES CARTER MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP Tiarrah Crouch, flute (Dan River HS/Ringgold)
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Pictures
THE YEAR IN