Music Newsletter Spring 2016

Music News

SPRING 2016 ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

Composer collaborates with students for his latest work omposer, singer, actor, and music educator David Sisco joined MSUM students in a premiere performance of his latest composition, Variations on a Theme of You: The Songs of David Sisco. The composition was partially based on text provided by MSUM music students. Sisco called the composition a “theatrical song cycle” which explored relationships in their various stages.

“Together with the MSUM students, we crafted a collection of personal reflections that have universal resonance,” says Sisco. “The piece highlights a wide range of musical styles, from art song to jazz and contemporary musical theatre, while telling a unique, yet collective story.”

“

Sisco’s performance was the culmination of a week-long residency with music students at MSUM. He was also on campus last fall to perform and to audition students for the new work.

“Spending one-on-one time with him so that we could get help on our individual songs was wonderful,” says student performer Kaele Rogers. “He was really available to help. He helped me grow as a performer, and I think everyone learned a lot.”

Sisco is a member of the Dramatist’s Guild and BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop (Advanced) and is an alumnus of the New Dramatists Composer-Librettist Studio in New York. He is the author of Here I Am: A Musical Personal Ad, and Bait n’ Swish. Sisco is currently collaborating with book writer and lyricist Tom Gualtieri on two musicals: Falling to Earth, and I’m Afraid, You’re Afraid: 448 Things to Fear And Why. He is also working with Los Angeles-based playwright Sylvan Oswald on a forthcoming show. A winner of the 2010 NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Composition Award, David is a prolific art song composer.

Together with the MSUM students, we crafted a collection of personal reflections that have universal resonance.”

- David Sisco

Music

Theatre

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School of Performing Arts

Latin jazz artist educates and entertains

> Rubén Alvarez

> MSUM student members of the Minnesota Int

In November, the MSUM Jazz Band and the Fuego Tropical World Music and Percussion Ensemble hosted internationally renowned Latin percussionist Rubén Alvarez on campus for a five day residency. Alvarez worked with members of both ensembles to present a series of concerts on and off campus.

Music educatio participate in

Alvarez is a Chicago-based Latin percussionist, drum set artist, and educator. Aside from performing with such artists as Arturo Sandoval, Chuchito Valdés, Slide Hampton, and Dave Valentin, he teaches percussion and directs Latin Jazz combos at multiple universities in the Chicago area. He is a featured presenter at national and international music education conferences, and serves as a musical consultant for the Goodman Theatre where he performed and helped to create the percussive tapestry for the Chicago-to-Broadway productions of “The Lion King.”

“This was Rubén’s second visit to MSUM,” said Fuego Tropical director and faculty member Dr. Kenyon Williams. “He came to MSUM for a concert in 2004 and the students loved working with him. By combining resources from Fuego Tropical, the Jazz Ensemble, and the MSUM Comstock Fund for Guest Artists and Lecturers, we were able to bring him back to MSUM for a several days of clinics, workshops, and concerts.”

Alvarez began to work with students from both ensembles immediately upon arrival.

The next day, after presenting a lecture discussing the development of Latin music in the United States, he performed with Fuego Tropical in a Caribbean music blow-out concert in the Comstock Memorial Union, complete with lighted dance floor and guest salsa dance instructors. The next evening, the ensemble took to the road and performed with Alvarez in Ulen, Minn., as a part of the Top Hat Theatre Performing Arts Concert Series, where their music received a standing ovation from an enthusiastic audience. A few days later, Alvarez performed with the MSUM Jazz Ensemble under the direction of faculty member Dr. Tom Strait in a concert that highlighted the cultural background and development of Latin jazz in North America. This grand finale to the residency brought those in attendance to their feet, singing and dancing along with Rubén’s high-energy performance.

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Minnesota State University Moorhead

This past February the School of Perfo

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the MN CBDNA Intercollegiate Band,

clinics and performances as well as v Department booth.

> MSUM Music Education students at MMEA.

Music News

Jazz alum’s original music performed in Miami

tercollegiate Band performed at MMEA

on students MMEA

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MSUM Jazz Performance Alumnus Andy Stermer (’14) was given the unique honor of having a complete concert of his original music performed by the University of Miami Jazz Concert Ensemble in January, a concert that was especially unique in that it featured the folkloric rhythms of Uruguayan candombe festival drumming within the context of an American jazz ensemble. While still a student at MSUM, Andy was able to perform aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean, where he was exposed to the rich polyphonic rhythms of Uruguayan candombe drumming. He was then able to secure a grant to not only travel to Uruguay to study, but to bring master drummer Álvaro Salas from Montevideo, Uruguay to his hometown of Montevideo, Minnesota to perform and teach this inspiring artform. As a Jazz Arranging graduate student at the U of M, he then secured a $10,000 Presser Foundation grant to again support the appearance or Mestre Salas to perform Andy’s unique mixture of American jazz and traditional Uruguayan candombe drumming in a special concert performed by the University of Miami Jazz Ensemble. Andy was surprised and delighted to see MSUM’s own Professor of Jazz and Music Theory, Dr. Alan Carter at the event. The concert was streamed live via the internet from Miami to MSUM, where students from the School of Performing Arts gathered to observe “one of their own” sharing his unique gifts with the world.

volunteering in the MSUM Music

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School of Performing Arts

Two ensembles join forces to tackle social issues

> Student performers at re:UNITY

On March 24, MSUM students and community members came together to present the re:UNITY concert – an event to bring awareness to the social issues faced by the Fargo-Moorhead community. Featuring the MSUM Commercial Music Ensemble and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the event included popular, uplifting music and guest speakers who discussed social issues and shared personal stories. The event was developed and coordinated by faculty members Dr. Michael Krajewski and Dr. Sherrine Mostin along with Community Outreach Coordinator Shireen Alemadi.

The re:UNITY event began with a pre-concert social hour which featured personal stories by community members and MSUM students. The stories were displayed on large poster boards in the Great White Hall and included personal accounts of experiences such as being a refugee in the Fargo community and overcoming statistics in the Native American community. MSUM administrators, faculty, and students talked with community members who contributed their own stories to the event.

The concert portion of re:UNITY featured popular music and original student compositions performed by the Commercial Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and volunteer Unity Choir. Several student speakers gave short speeches about social issues including homelessness, minorities, and the earthquake in Nepal. President Anne Blackhurst gave a short speech about the MSUM community just before the last song. The concert ended with all of the musicians performing K’Naan’s Wavin’ Flag as large flags from all over the world descended from the stage.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Blackhurst stated, “As President of Minnesota State University Moorhead, I proudly support the talented and passionate students, faculty and community members who are instrumental in creating re:UNITY to raise awareness of important social issues. Given MSUM’s commitment to diversity as a core value and strategic anchor, it is imperative that we come together as a community to show support for those who are displaced, impoverished and discriminated against.” The event was a huge success and brought the community and MSUM together through the power of music.

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Minnesota State University Moorhead

Music scholars

MSUM has a unique place in the Red R student-focused university, MSUM prid education at a minimum of cost. How education has declined, students have bill. In 1982, MSUM tuition was $17.65 hour is $230.25 (versus $470.77 at the

The MSUM School of Performing Arts generation of musicians, educators, an

To help accomplish that goal, we manag of which can use your support. From sc loving student. To specialty scholarship as winds, voice, jazz, guitar, piano, mus scholarship opportunities that we hope

Please donate to the future of the arts Music Scholarship Donor by contactin web at: https://donate.mnstate.edu/C

ships and you

River Valley region. As a mid-sized, des itself on creating a high-value wever, as state support for higher e had to pick-up more and more of the 5 per credit. Today, that same credit University of Minnesota)!

has a rich history of shaping the next nd music industry professionals.

ge a wide variety of scholarships, any cholarships that benefit any musicps that focus upon particular fields such sic industry, and percussion, there are e you’ll consider being a part of.

in Minnesota. Become an MSUM ng the MSUM Alumni Office via the CAMC or by calling 218-477-2143.

Music News

Choral ensembles share music with community

> MSUM choral students perform at Dr. Blackhurst's Christmas party.

MSUM choral ensembles, directed by faculty member Dr. Erynn Millard, found rewards bringing their music to a wider portion of the Fargo-Moorhead community.

“Many choirs reach out to their community by bringing music to people who can’t make it to the concerts,” says choir president Axel Xiong. “At MSUM, we strive to make this a point by going out to nursing homes at the end of every fall semester and spreading holiday cheer.”

To prepare for the caroling, music education majors are put in charge of a variety of songs and are given the opportunity to teach it to volunteers from within the choir program. This gives the education majors a chance to hone their skills and develop their abilities as future choral directors. After learning a selection of songs with the help of Dr. Millard, the group goes into the community and sings at nursing homes and homeless shelters. No money is involved in these performances, since the emphasis is on community service and the building of relationships within the ensemble. Any funds offered to the performers go to local charities.

The choir’s volunteerism is not reserved solely for the holidays. In the spring, the group comes together to perform a new collection of music at area nursing homes.

The group has also sung at events such as MSUM President Anne Blackhurst’s Christmas party, an MSUM basketball game, and MSUM alumni dinners. Through Dr. Millard’s guidance, students are encouraged to pursue music as not only a possible vocation, but as a way to better themselves and others around them.

Choir members note that they go into community facilities not knowing anyone but feel like family members after the performances. "It's alwasy a pleasure to sing with groups," stated one student member. "It is a lot of work that always pays off."

“Having students graduate from MSUM feeling good about themselves is wonderful,’ summarized Xiong, “but having students leave feeling like they made a difference in the lives of others is even better.”

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School of Performing Arts

FACULTY NEWS Julie Adams As she prepares for her seventh summer as Musical Director for the Straw Hat Players, Julie Adams has spent the academic year once again serving as chorus master for the Fargo-Moorhead Opera in their productions of Madame Butterfly and Suor Angelica. The spring semester saw her performing as soloist in the David Sisco concert on campus and serving as Musical Director for the MSUM production of Working.

Dr. Allen Carter (Theory/Jazz) has spent the majority of his year in preparation for his upcoming recording Time On My Hands, to be completed this July in Los Angeles.

Other notable experiences have included performing with world-renown jazz trumpeter Randy Brecker, being asked to return to the Arizona All-State Jazz Festival, and visiting the University of Miami to research jazz composition/ arranging curricula and hear the graduate recital of MSUM alum Andy Stermer.

Dr. Christina Yi-Ping ChenBeyers (orchestra) conducted her third annual Nutcracker performances with Wonderland Orchestra and the Fargo-Moorhead Ballet Company.

She continues to be an advocate for young women conductors and gave lectures on the topic “Why are there no women conductors at the top?” this spring.

In March she conducted the Calgary Philharmonic as a finalist for the Resident Conductor position.

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Minnesota State University Moorhead

Dr. Jenny Dufault (voice) has resumed her position as the coordinator of the Kodály Institute and is busy recruiting and advertising this summer’s program. She also continues to coordinate the vocal area at MSUM. She now works primarily with the music education majors. Dufault has been active this year giving workshops to area high schools and community colleges. She recently performed in the Fargo-Moorhead Opera production of Suor Angelica as La Sorella Infermiera (the Nurse). She plans to give a recital next fall for which repertoire will include Richard Strauss’ Four Last Songs.

Dr. David Ferreira (Professor Emeritus, jazz piano) continues teaching jazz piano students at MSUM, conducting the Cathedral Choir at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, N.D., and performing with the Dave Ferreira Trio.

Continuing as an adjunct faculty member following 30 years of full-time teaching, Ferreira will have completed 42 years of teaching at MSUM and will have turned 75 years old in May of this year! The year also saw his jazz trio, featuring jazz trumpeter, Steve Veikely, make its second appearance at the Integrity Jazz Festival in Minot, N.Dak., as well as presenting a jazz history concert at the Historic Holmes Theater in Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Dr. Monte Grisé (Director of Bands and Music Education Coordinator) had another exciting and productive year teaching and performing with the students at MSUM. As sponsor of the NAfME Chapter, he brought twenty music students to the Minnesota Music Educators Association

Conference in Minneapolis this past February. Ten of these students were selected to perform with the MN CBDNA Intercollegiate Band at the convention. He was also honored to be chosen to conduct this intercollegiate band by the Minnesota Chapter of the College Band Directors National Association. Grisé remains an active adjudicator and clinician. In March he was the guest conductor and clinician for the 52nd Annual Detroit Lakes All City Band Concert, a two day festival featuring all of the bands, grades 6-12, in the Detroit Lakes Public Schools. The festival culminated with a performance for the city. This summer, Grisé will teach at the International Music Camp.

Dr. Michael J. Krajewski (Music Industry/Guitar) continues to be active presenting lectures across the USA. As a member of TI:ME he has presented at the Texas Music Educators Conference in San Antonio February, 2016 and the Tennessee Music Educators Conference in Nashville April, 2016. His presentations focused on helping music educators integrate professional recording software into their classrooms.

This year Krajewski became a contributing editor for Soundboard, the leading publication for the Guitar Foundation of America. He is writing a quarterly article about integrating technology into the guitar studio. Krajewski has created various music industry relationships including one with Universal Audio. All three studios at MSUM have all of the UA plug-ins for students to use. As a performer, Krajewski has been active around the Fargo-Moorhead area including a recent performance with Randy Brecker and the Fargo-Moorhead Jazz Symphony. In February, he received a guitar endorsement from Suhr guitars, and in March he co-directed the MSUM re:UNITY concert which served as both a form of powerful community outreach and a musical statement as to MSUM’s commitment to diversity.

Music News

Dr. Terrie Manno Professor and Coordinator of Keyboard Studies Dr. Terrie Manno continues her collaboration with poet Kevin Zepper in Lines&Notes. In the summer of 2015 they were spotlight artists on Prairie Public Televisions Prairie Musicians. This spring Lines&Notes will be featured on Prairie Public TV’s Prairie Mosaic. Manno’s research projects on how adults learn music have led to the publication of her article “But What Are They Thinking? -- The Key to Your Students’ Best Performances.”

It will be appear in the May/June issue of Clavier Companion, the premier journal for pianists, piano teachers, and piano enthusiasts. The Manno - Dean Piano Duo is going strong and enjoyed performing for a full house at Oklahoma Baptist University in last November. Their program featured the music of Schubert, D’Indy, Dvorak, Brahms, and John Williams. Their next performance in the Fargo-Moorhead area will be in the spring of 2017.

Dr. Erynn Millard (choral/music education) has recently been active with MSUM’s choral ensembles, with choirs performing in concerts, music commissions/premiers, local festivals, and recruitment tours. She has also supervised the formation of a new pop a cappella group, Solfire, and serves as their faculty advisor. Also focused on experiential learning, Millard has organized teaching opportunities for choral music education majors, allowing students to teach selections in Chamber Singers and conduct Festival Men’s and Women’s Choir in performances. She made several conference presentations of research and interest sessions this year both in and outof-state, one of which was a presentation of her descriptive study on the role of ensemble competitions in choral music

education. Millard has also maintained regular vocal performances, appearing as a guest artist with Straw Hat players and in multiple productions with the FargoMoorhead Opera.

conducting a trumpet masterclass, teaching private lessons, and performing a guest solo recital. He also took the MSUM Jazz Ensemble to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Jazz Festival

Dr. Sherrine Mostin recently completed a one-year appointment at MSUM as a Professor of Jazz Voice where she directed the Vocal Jazz ensemble, taught applied vocal lessons, and also taught multiple sections of aural skills for music majors. A highly accomplished jazz vocalist who recently completed a Doctoral degree in Studio Music and Jazz at the University of Miami, Mostin taught at several private music studios in Miami and worked as a freelance musician. During her time as a young professional, Mostin has worked with several notable musicians including Gloria Estefan, Fred Hersch, Terence Blanchard, the New York Voices, and many others.

Dr. Kenyon Williams, Professor of Percussion, presented a solo faculty recital in the fall of 2015 at MSUM and served as a solo accompanist for the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Cyberbird, featuring saxophonist Russell Peterson.

After coordinating Ruben Alvarez’s Fuego Tropical/Jazz Ensemble residency and tour to Ulen, Minn., Williams directed the first performance of what is planned to be an annual SPA holiday outreach activity: the outdoor performance of Phil Kline’s ambient electronic audience participation composition Unsilent Night, which proceeds from downtown Fargo to Moorhead during the first weekend in December. During the winter, Williams presented three clinics at the Minnesota Percussion Association’s “Day of Percussion” in Minneapolis and hosted the MSUM Honors High School Percussion Ensemble on campus. This summer, he will once again serve as an instructor at the International Music Camp and has been invited to serve as the percussion section coach for the Minnesota All-State Orchestra camp. Williams is also excited to begin preparations to host MSUM’s Sixth Biennial Day of Percussion in November, featuring guest artists Shane Shanahan (frame drum artist from Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble), Casey Cangelosi (percussion virtuoso), and Larnell Lewis (drumset artist with the jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy).

Frederic Heringes, Adjunct Professor of Voice, sang in the Fargo-Moorhead Opera production of Madama Butterfly, working alongside several MSUM faculty members (Julie Adams and Dr. Erynn Millard) and students from MSUM. As stage director of the opera company’s Young Artist Program, Heringes directed an opera scenes program presented at MSUM in March of 2016, as well as directing Henry Mollicone’s one-act opera The Face on the Barroom Floor for FM Opera.

In addition to performing as Principal Trumpet with the FargoMoorhead Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Tom Strait conducted a big band in March which backed up jazz great Randy Brecker and his wife, Ada Rovatti. Strait also spent a week in Arkansas at Henderson State University,

mnstate.edu/spa

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School of Performing Arts 1104 7th Avenue South Moorhead, Minnesota 56563

2016-2017 Music Performances Friday, Sept. 9

Faculty Recital featuring percussionist Dr. Kenyon Williams, Gaede Stage, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Full Faculty Recital, Glasrud Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30

Wind Ensemble Concert, Glasrud Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14

Faculty Recital featuring vocalist Dr. Jenny Dufault, Gaede Stage, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 30

Choir Concert, Glasrud Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 3

Performing Arts Series presents Imani Winds, Gaede Stage, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 5

Day of Percussion, Center for the Arts, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Grand Finale Concert at 5 p.m. Gaede Stage

Monday, Nov. 7

Jazz Ensemble Concert, Glasrud Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 15

Jazz Combos and Guitar Ensemble Concert, Fox Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2

Unsilent Night Holiday Processional, Atomic Coffee, Broadway, Fargo, ND, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 3

Choir and Wind Ensemble Holiday Concert, Hansen Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Hansen Theatre, Gaede Stage and Fox Recital Hall are in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts. Glasrud Auditorium is in Weld Hall.

Some dates may be subject to change. Contact the MSUM Box Office at 218-477-2101 Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. or go to mnstate.edu/tickets for tickets and concert confirmation.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator and employer and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.