Music Faculty and Students Present

Scholarship Fundraiser Concerts

L o u i s i a n a T e c h U n i v e r s i t y D e p a r t m e n t o f M u s i c D r . R a n d a l l S o r e n s e n , C o o r d i n a t o r o f M u s i c D r . K e n n e t h R o b b i n s , D i r e c t o r o f t h e S c h o o l o f t h e P e r f o r m i n g A r t s O n t h e W e b : w w w . l a t e c h . e d u / p e r f o r m i n g a r t s P h o n e : 3 1 8 - 2 5 7 - 2 7 1 1 E m a i l : m u s i c s t u d y @ l a t e c h . e d u

April 2012 Issue 3

Steinway Grand Piano Rededicated

On May 14th, 2011, our newly restored Steinway nine-foot concert grand piano was rededicated after an extensive renovation process. Dr. Steele Moegle performed Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Lou-isiana Tech University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jim Robken. This exceptional instrument has received a new lease on life and will serve the University for many years to come.

Leon Anderson Chosen as the 2012

Music Alumnus

The Department of Music is proud to announce our 2012 alumnus of the year, Leon Anderson. Leon graduated from Tech in 1992 with a B.A. in Music

Education and continued his music studies at Southeastern Louisiana University where he earned a mas-ter’s degree in performance. He is currently the Director of Jazz Stud-ies at Florida State University and maintains an active performance calendar as a jazz drummer. While at Southeastern Leon was intro-duced to jazz legend Ellis Marsalis. Leon was invited to join Marsalis on an international tour taking him to Brazil and Europe. On May 10th Leon will appear on campus to ac-cept his award and to perform as the guest artist with the Jazz Ensemble in Howard Auditorium at 7:30 pm.

Music Faculty and

Staff

Dr. Joe L. Alexander Low Brass, Theory, and Composition Shayla Blake Staff Accompanist Dr. Cain Budds Guitar and Theory Lawrence Gibbs Jazz Ensemble, Clarinet, and Saxophone Dr. Greg Lyons Percussion and Music Ed. Dr. Lisa Maxedon Voice and Opera Workshop Dr. Steele Moegle Piano and Music Appreciation Jim Robken Director of Bands, Music Technology Ann Sorensen Orchestra Strings and String Chamber Music Dr. Randall Sorensen Coordinator of Music, High Brass, and Music Theory Dr. Sean Teets Director of Choral Activities and Voice Dr. Laura Thompson Voice and Music Ed. Vicky Valenzano Adjunct Instructor of Flute Mary Roberts SPA Administrative Coordinator Toni Troiano Band Administrative Coordinator

On January 24th and 27th, 2012, Department of Music faculty and students presented two concerts to raise funds for music scholarships. The events occurred at Trinity United Method-ist Church and Squire Creek Country Club. Performances were given by the brass quintet, guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble, saxophone ensemble, low brass ensemble, and the University Choirs. Dr. Sean Teets coordinated the events. Next year’s scholarship fundraiser will feature an outdoor performance on the steps of Howard Auditorium.

Spring 2011 grad-uates Luke Ellard and Emily Ledford

Students Participate in Intercollegiate Band

Nine students from Tech participated in the 2012 Louisiana Intercollegiate Band in Lafayette, La., on January 13-15. Music majors who performed with the band included Courtney Cloud and Stephanie Wise (clarinet), Dustin Jones (saxophone), Tiffa-ny Woda and Timothy Pardue (trumpet), and Jonathan Magee (percussion). Non-music majors Stetson Bosecker (flute) and Nicole Crozat and Jessica Young (clarinet) also performed with the group. The Intercollegiate Band combines some of the best players from Louisiana’s colleges and universities and awards chair placement based on auditions.

On March 8th, 2012, students from the guitar studio of Dr. Cain Budds had the extraordinary opportunity to perform for and receive coaching from internationally renowned classical guitar-ist Odair Assad. Assad then performed a solo recital that even-ing as part of the Louisiana Tech Concert Association. The following stu-dents performed: Katherine Neal, Austin Hughes, Jon-athon Lewis, Ben Mann, and Connor Kelly.

Guitar Students Perform for Odair Assad

Clarinet Student Begins DMA

Richard Thomson (‘09– BME Instrumental Music Ed, Clarinet) recently completed a master’s in clarinet performance at the University of North Texas. He plans to remain at UNT in order to pursue the DMA in clarinet performance.

Page 2

News from the Piano Area

The Department of Music will host two exciting keyboard events in March and June. The Louisiana Federation of Mu-sic Clubs annual convention will take place on March 30th and March 31st. On June 2nd the best pre-college pianists from Louisiana will be on campus to compete in the Louisi-ana Music Teachers Association Torgrimson-Swanzy Com-petition.

News From the Guitar Studio

Dr. Cain Budds performed Dr. Joe L. Alexander’s composi-tion Soundscapes (guitar and sound file) at the joint con-ference meeting of the 2012 New Music Festival and the Southeastern Composers League Forum held this past Feb-ruary at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Congratulations to Michael Reid who graduated with a B.A. in guitar last spring! We will miss him. In Simoneaux Scholarship news, Jonathan Lewis was awarded the upper-classman scholarship of $1,500 and Austin Hughes was awarded the underclassman scholarship of $750. The gui-tar studio is grateful to have new lockers available for guitar storage thanks to the assistance of the Lagniappe Ladies.

Band of Pride Performs at Poinsettia Bowl

Director of Bands Jim Robken described the Band of Pride’s recent December 2011 trip to San Diego as “one of the most positive Bowl Game experiences” he has ever had. The Band performed for a variety of functions while in San Diego includ-ing a “Battle of the Bands” on the USS Midway and during halftime at the Poinsettia Bowl. Band members also visited the San Diego Zoo and Sea World. As always, the Band played great and were fantastic ambassadors for Louisiana Tech University. Mr. Robken was assisted on the trip by Dr. Greg Lyons (Drumline and Assistant Director of Bands) and Toni Troiano (Band Administrative Coordinator) .

Howard Gauley Selected as 2012 Music Student of the Year

Each year the Department of Music selects an outstanding student to be recognized as the Student of the Year at the College of Liberal Arts Research Symposium Luncheon. Howard Gauley, B.A. Music Education, saxophone, was the 2012 recipient of the award. After complet-ing his student teaching assignment in Fall 2012, Howard plans to pursue a career in mu-sic education.

In Fall 2011, Luke Lusted (B.M.E. Vocal, 2010) began graduate work in choral con-ducting with Dr. Bruce Cham-berlain at the University of Arizona. Luke was awarded scholarships from the choral area and opera.

Twin brothers Luke (B.M. Clarinet Performance) and Ben Ellard (B.A. Trumpet) went their separate ways; Luke be-gan a master’s in composition at UT Austin and Ben began a master’s in trumpet perfor-mance at UC Boulder.

We wish these students contin-ued success as they pursue advanced studies in music.

Recent Grads Begin Graduate School

Page 3

Budds to Present Solo Guitar Recital April 12, 2012

University Hall 7:30pm

Faculty guitarist Cain Budds will present a solo recital in the newly renovated University Hall. The performance will feature music from the Renaissance to the 20th Century including works by De Visee, Giuliani, Narvaez, Bogda-novic, Lauro, and Rodrigo. The concert is free and open to the public.

Opera Workshop 2011!

On November 4-5, 2011, students performed Opera Workshop 2011: “Taking the Lead.” The show included selec-tions from Die Fleder-maus, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Annie Get Your Gun,

Hello Dolly, Finian’s Rainbow, and Cinderella. This year the cast of 15 developed the show through a workshop format that encompassed all the elements of producing a stage show. Students learned about character analysis, stage movement, and costuming.

April 10

*LTCA: Spencer Meyer, Piano

Howard Aud. 7:30pm

April 12

Cain Budds, Guitar

University Hall, 7:30pm

April 25-28

*Pippin

Stone Theatre, 7:30pm

April 29

Louisiana Composers

Consortium

Recital Hall, 3:00pm

April 30

Percussion Ensemble

Howard Aud., 7:30pm

May 1

String Area Recital

Recital Hall, 7:30pm

May 2-5

*Pippin

Stone Theatre, 7:30pm

May 8

*Choir Concert

Howard Aud., 7:30pm

May 10

Jazz Ensemble with Guest Artist Leon Anderson, Drum Set

Howard Aud., 7:30pm

May 12

Band Concert

Howard Aud., 2:00pm

*Admission Charged

For more information and up-to-date concert information, visit our

website at:

www.latech.edu/performingarts

Upcoming Events

Cajun Cabaret Scholarship Fundraiser a Success!

A good time was had by all who attended the Department of Music’s Third Annual Schol-arship Fundraiser event held at the Student Center on March 25, 2011. Great music and excellent food helped make the event a suc-cess. A variety of faculty and student groups

performed including the University Choirs, Jazz Ensemble, Faculty Jazz Combo, student chamber ensembles, and faculty soloists. Spring 2011 Grad Andrew Coker

and Choir Director Dr. Sean Teets

School of the Performing Arts to Present

April 25-28

May 2-5

The Departments of Theatre and Music are joining forces to present the musical Pippin with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The show premiered at the Imperial Theater on Octo-ber 23, 1972, and ran for 1,944 performances before closing on June 12, 1977. It was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. The SPA production will be directed by Paul Crook with the as-sistance of musical director Lisa Maxedon, rehearsal accompa-nist Steele Moegle, and pit orchestra director Jim Robken. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. All performances will take place in Stone Theatre. Advance ticket purchase is recommend-ed. The Howard Center box office is open M-F 1:30-4:45. For more information, call 318-257-2711 .

Alexander Elected to Leadership Positions in Composition Groups

Dr. Joe L. Alexander has been elected President of the Mid-South chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA, as well as their National Treasurer. In addition, he has just been selected as the 2012 MTNA Louisiana Commissioned Composer.

Drew Coker

BA Vocal Spring 2011

Luke Ellard

BM Clarinet Spring 2011

Ben Ellard

BA Trumpet Spring 2011

Kristen Raborn Foster

BA Vocal Spring 2011

Emily Ledford

BM Vocal Spring 2011

Michael Reid

BA Guitar Spring 2011

Leroy Hawthorne III

BME Instrumental Fall 2011

Jonathan Martinez

BME Instrumental Fall 2011

Elise Endel

BME Vocal Winter 2012

Melissa McMath

BME Vocal Winter 2012

Kate Wiley

BA Vocal Winter 2012

2011-12 Music Graduates

Page 4

Music Department Receives Three Grants

In Fall 2011, the Department of Mu-sic received two grants from the Stu-dent Technology Fee Board. Faculty members Jim Robken and Randall Sorensen requested funding to en-hance the technology available for music students including the pur-chase of software upgrades for the music technology lab and the pur-chase of new equipment and software for recording music events.

In addition to the Technology grants, the department also received a grant from the Lagniappe Ladies for the purchase of new lockers for student string instrument storage in Howard Center. Guitar, violin, viola, cello, and double bass students now have a secure and convenient location to store instruments.

Luke Ellard Selected as 2011 Music

Student of the Year

Each year the Department of Music

selects an outstanding student to be

recognized as the Student of the

Year at the College of Liberal Arts

Research Symposium Luncheon

each spring. Luke Ellard, BM Clari-

net Performance, was the 2011 re-

cipient of the award. Last May the

Tech Wind Ensemble gave the world

premier of Luke’s composition

Bright Overture. Luke is currently

pursuing a master’s degree in com-

position at the University of Texas—

Austin.

LTCA to Feature Award Winning Pianist

Spencer Myer

Nine music students were selected by the music faculty to perform on the Department’s annual Honors Recital. The students are chosen based on their outstanding performances throughout the academic year. Participating students included (from left to right) Garrett Monk, Cody Chandler, Tiffany Woda, Ben Ellard, Michael Reid, Jonathan Magee, Emily Ledford, Marissa McMath, and Luke Ellard.

Spring 2011 Honors Recital

SPENCER MYER Howard Auditorium April 10, 2012, 7:30 pm www.spencermyer.com

Gold Medalist of the 2008 New Orleans interna-tional Piano Competition, Spencer Myer is garner-ing stellar audience and critical acclaim from around the globe, rapidly establishing himself as one of the most outstanding pianists of his genera-tion. Spencer Myer's orchestral, recital, and cham-ber music performances have been heard through-out North America, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia. As part of his appearance at Louisiana Tech, Myer will present an Informance at 10 am on April 10th in Howard Auditorium. He will also present a masterclass for Tech music students that afternoon.

News from the String Area

The Department of Music con-tinues to offer opportunities for students who play orchestral string instruments. The student string quartet performed in two string area recitals with reper-toire from the Baroque to the 20th Century. In May 2011 the quartet was joined by senior clar-inetist Luke Ellard in a perfor-mance of the first movement of Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet. In December 2011 the quartet per-formed in the orchestra for a performance of Handel’s Messi-ah arranged for children present-ed by the A.E. Phillips Lab School choir directed by Randall Boyd.

Page 5

Voice Students and Teachers Participate in N.A.T.S.

In November 2011, Drs. Lisa Maxedon and Laura Thompson and several Louisiana Tech Students attended the Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing auditions at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. Mela-nie Slack and Alyce Tarver, students of Dr. Laura Thompson, were passed through to the semi-final round of the competition. Melanie is a Music Education major and Alyce is a Vocal Performance major. We are very proud of our students!

Spring 2011 Graduate

Kristen Raborn Foster

Tech Choirs and North Central Louisiana Masterworks Chorus

Combine Forces to Present Handel’s Messiah

This past December a packed house enjoyed a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Tech Choirs and the North Central Louisiana Masterworks Chorus directed by Dr. Sean Teets. Featured soloists included Dr. Lisa Maxedon (soprano), Dr. Susan Olson (alto), Dr. Christopher Gilliam (baritone), and Mr. Bray Wilkins (tenor).

Department Hosts Area High School Music Students

The Department of Music continues to offer out-standing support and service to our area school musicians through a variety of events. In January 2012, the department hosted the annual District 1 Honor Bands and in February hosted the LMEA District I Choral Festival. Students and faculty worked hard to make these events a positive expe-rience for all participants.

Dr. Laura Thompson continues to coordinate the Louisiana State Rally for pianists and vocalists. Students from throughout the region travel to Tech to perform for the judges with the possibility of being selected to perform on an afternoon honors recital. Over 200 students attend this event.

Department of Music Consolidates Degrees

Following the completion of the 2010-11 school year, the Depart-ment of Music put into place a new degree plan for music students. All music students are enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts degree program from which they choose one of four possible concentrations: Liberal Arts, Performance, Instrumental Education, or Vocal Education.

High School Student Visitation Day 2011

In January, 35 area high school students spent the day at Tech attending music classes and rehearsals while learning about careers in music. The stu-dents enjoyed a lunch performance by Drs. Cain Budds and Sean Teets of songs by Dowland. That night stu-dents attended a performance by the St. Petersburg String Quartet with guest artist and Tech faculty member Lawrence Gibbs, clarinet.

Department of Music Unveils Redesigned Website

The Department of Music recently redesigned its web page with many user friendly updates. Webmaster and Percussion Instructor Greg Lyons has added many new features to the website including streaming media files, alumni information, information for prospective and current students, and a new calendar of events. Visit the new website at: www. latech.edu/performingarts Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! Facebook.com/LouisianaTechUniversityDepartmentofMusic Twitter.com/LaTechMusic YouTube.com/LouisianaTechMusic

News from the Percussion Studio

“To Hit” Residency The world percussion/marimba duo, To Hit, gave a masterclass and performance on Friday, January 13,2012. To Hit, based out of Michigan, utilizes a variety of non-Western instruments including tabla, riq, pandeiro, and the hammered dulci-mer. Percussion majors Philip Raeisghasem and Scott Thompson each had a pri-vate lesson with the members of To Hit during their residency. The event was sup-ported by the percussion focused student-service organization, Phi Buda Ruda. Scott Thompson (right) takes a tabla lesson with Mike List of To Hit. NLYPE Festival The North Louisiana Youth Percussion Ensemble Festival occurred on March 16 and 17, 2012. The event featured guest artist/clinician Blake Tyson, an associate professor at the University of Central Arkansas and an accomplished performer

and composer of percussion music. The festival included perfor-mances by Ruston High School, Benton High School, and West Ouachita High School. Tyson gave feedback to the high school students and directors. He also presented a clinic titled “Connections,” which emphasized the importance of versatility as a student of percussion. Concluding the event was a perfor-mance by the 2012 Honors Youth Percussion Ensemble, which Tyson conducted. Guest artist/clinician Blake Tyson at Saturday’s clinic.