Event Calendar & News: Alumni News
Alumni News
Fall 2001-Summer 2002
1950's
Doris Humes Ponitz, B.M. in Music Education ('54), has recently
been elected chair of the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District
Board of Trustees (Ohio), which administers tax money to both professional
and emerging local art groups and artists. As a well-established music
volunteer, Ponitz formerly served as chair of the orchestra volunteer and
governing boards, in addition to several other local arts groups. With the
help of Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra volunteers, she designed a music
education program in the local schools.
1960's
Robert Olson, M.M. in Bassoon Performance ('69), is founder,
artistic director and conductor of the Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra. The
New York Times recently ran an article on him and the Mahler Festival,
which is in its 16th year. In addition, Naxos Records released his 10th
Mahler CD in May 2002 to excellent reviews worldwide. Olson encompasses
the entire spectrum of the concert stage -- symphony, opera, and ballet --
presenting sixty performances each year. Olson is also conductor of the
State Ballet of Missouri; director of orchestras/opera at the University
of Missouri-Kansas City; and music director/conductor of the Longmont
Symphony (CO).
1970's
Laurine Celeste Fox, B.M. in Music Education ('70), is the founder
and music director of the orchestra Celebrate! in New York. In October
2001, she led the opera company Opera Eurydice in their highly successful
debut performance at the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. She also
appeared as a guest conductor for the Ridgewood Symphony (NJ). She
received her M.M. from The Juilliard School.
Carol McAnulty, B.M. in Clarinet Performance ('72), teaches guitar
at Northern Michigan University (NMU). McAnulty recently performed a solo
with the Benzie Symphony Orchestra, and gave a solo classical guitar
recital at NMU. She freelances on clarinet and classical guitar throughout
Northern and Upper Michigan. McAnulty earned her M.M. in Clarinet
Performance from Catholic University of America.
William Penn, Ph.D. in Music Theory and Composition ('71), had a
revival of the show "The Fitzgeralds," for which he wrote the original
score, at City Center (NYC) in Fall 2001. The show starred Alec Baldwin
and is based on the lives and writings of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald,
author of "The Great Gatbsy." The original production starred Frank
Langella and Blythe Danner. Penn also recently produced a CD narrated by
Charles Osgood of CBS-TV titled "Animal Stories." His song "Sex on the
Net" was recorded by P-Funk artist Rick Gardner and licensed by Disky/ EMI
in Europe; his piece "Carezze" was recorded and toured by Italian singing
star Claudio Picarella; and his "Three Essays for Solo Tuba" and
"Capriccio for Tuba & Marimba" were released on the Summit Label by Gene
Pokorny of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Penn is owner of Arizona
University Recordings (AUR) and Publications, and continues to compose on
occasion. AUR recently completed a 7-CD Box Set titled "America's
Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax," including MSU's Joseph Lulloff, The
Great Lakes Saxophone Quartet, Charles Ruggerio, and various MSU
ensembles.
1980's
Andrea Gullickson, B.M. in Oboe Performance ('81), is associate
professor of music at the University of Wisconsin, and was recently
elected chair of the Department of Music. She was awarded an endowed
professorship, one of seven university wide, and is only the second music
faculty member ever to receive one. The professorships provide financial
support for professional development activities and are awarded on the
basis of professional accomplishments and a record of teaching excellence.
Lonnie Klein, M.M. in Clarinet Performance and Orchestral
Conducting ('87), made his conducting debut in Italy in Summer 2002,
conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Milan in the cities of Brescia and
Milan.
Julia Larson Mattern, B.M. in Flute Performance ('84), is flutist
for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, and the Musical Arts Woodwind Quintet
in residence at Ball State University, where she is associate professor of
flute. She is substitute flutist for the Russian Festival Orchestra,
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Her
annotated bibliography of flute books was published in Flute Talk
magazine. She conducted the National Flute Association High School Flute
Choir at the national convention in Dallas, served as a member of the NFA
Pedagogy Committee, and as a judge for the NFA Newly Published Music
Competition. Mattern is listed in "2000 Outstanding Musicians of the
Twentieth Century."
Joseph Spaniola, M.M. in Composition ('87), won the 2001 25th
Annual National Band Association/William D. Revelli Memorial Band
Composition Competition for ESCAPADE.
John Swain, Ph.D. in Tuba Performance ('86), is associate dean of
the College of Arts and Letters, professor of music, and director of
instrumental music education at California State University. He presented "Picking Up Where Secondary Instruments Left Off" at the California Music
Educators Association State Conference in 2001. He is active as an
adjudicator, clinician and performer in Southern California. His piece for
band, Paloyoloyo, was premiered at the California Association for Music
Education (CMEA) annual conference, and he was honored by CMEA as the
outstanding college/ university music educator for 2001-02.
1990's
Marie Blair, B.M. in Piano Performance ('96), is an advanced piano
performance student working on her artist's diploma at the Royal Northern
College of Music in Manchester, England.
Christopher Chaffee, M.M. in Flute Performance ('97), was appointed
interim assistant director of the Catherine Shouse Arts Leadership program
at Eastman School of Music, a new music and arts education program. His
responsibilities include working with the career planning office,
coordinating music for all outreach and internship programs, developing
new courses in performance studies, advising students one-on one and
teaching on occasion.
Sharon Graf, Ph.D. in Musicology ('99), was appointed a tenured
position in musicology at the University of Illinois. Elizabeth
Jones-Caputo, M.M. ('98), is professor of music theory at Georgia S.W.
State University. Her husband is also actively involved in music and
performs with the U.S. Air Force Band.
David T. Kehler, M.M. in Conducting ('92), was appointed associate
conductor of the Dallas Wind Symphony, and serves as conductor for the
Greater Dallas Youth Wind Symphony. In 2002, his youth symphony performed
as a featured ensemble at the Texas Bandmaster's Convention/National Band
Association Convention. He also serves as the director of the Mustang Band
at Southern Methodist University.
Joe Lane, II, B.M. in Instrumental Music Education ('98) was
appointed assistant principal at Orchard View Middle School. From
1998-2001, he served as choral director there, where he was the first
African-American teacher and administrator.
Tage Larsen, B.M. in Trumpet Performance ('92), was
appointed fourth trumpet for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Larsen is the first African-American musician to be hired by
CSO. He is former second trumpet for the St. Louis Symphony,
and prior to that, solo cornet for the Marine Band in
Washington, D.C.
John Masserini, DMA ('99) and M.M. in Clarinet Performance, was
appointed assistant professor of music at Idaho State University (ISU).
His teaching duties include studio clarinet and saxophone, music theory,
music appreciation, and woodwind methods. He also founded and is a member
of ISU's faculty woodwind quintet, Idaho Winds. He appeared as a guest
artist in both the 2001 and 2002 Montana/Idaho Clarinet Festivals; and as
concerto soloist and guest artist at Northern Arizona University. He
performed a concerto with the ISU Symphonic Band; a chamber music concert
in Sun Valley with Randolph Kelly, principal violist of the Pittsburgh
Symphony; and a chamber music concert with soprano Diane Rigains.
Kenneth H. Milch, M.M. in Music Education ('93), continues his
ninth year as director of instrumental music at Lamphere Schools in
Madison Heights (MI). He and his wife, Carla, were married April 21, 2001,
and are expecting their first child in March 2002.
Mai Motobuchi, B.M. in Viola Performance ('97), was appointed
violist in the Boriamus Quartet at the New England Conservatory.
Susan Schnerer, M.M. in Clarinet Performance ('91), was appointed
general manager of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. Past appointments
include the Greater Lansing Symphony, the Denver Chamber Orchestra,
Central City Opera House Association, the Arvada Center Orchestra, and the
MSU School of Music. Before her appointment, she served as a parent
volunteer for the Traverse Youth Orchestras. She was also coordinator,
fundraiser and publicist for the Traverse Symphony Orchestra's winter
chamber music performances.
Seth Semons, M.M. in Clarinet Performance ('97), was appointed a
position with the U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C.
Margaret Sippey, B.M. in Flute Performance ('99), won the concerto
competition for the Wind Ensemble at Eastman School of Music, and
performed the Badings Flute Concerto. She freelances in upstate N.Y. and
performs with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. As a finalist in the New
World Symphony, she has performed three concerts with the ensemble in
Miami. She attended the Aspen Music Festival in Summer 2002, and is
working on her DMA at Eastman School of Music, where she earned her M.M.
in Flute Performance and Literature.
Robert T. Stroker, Ph.D. in Music Education ('93) and
B.M. in Music Education/Performance ('84), was named
dean of Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music and
Dance.
2000s
Jesus Alfonzo, DMA ('01) and M.M. ('99) in Viola Performance, was
appointed principal violist with the Jackson Symphony.
Alexandre Antunes, DMA in Double Bass Performance ('02), was
appointed to the double bass and electric bass faculty at the Flint
Institute of Music, and to the faculty at Flint Community Music School.
Don Babcock, DMA in Trombone Performance ('01), was appointed a
tenured position as assistant professor of trombone at Eastern Michigan
University.
Allison Berry, an undergraduate in Voice Performance ('02), studied
and performed at the Adriatic Chamber Music Festival in Bonefro, Italy;
and performed as soprano soloist in Rutter's Requiem at the People's
Church, East Lansing (MI).
Jeff Brown, DMA in Choral Conducting ('02), is director of choirs
at Libertyville High School (IL).
Adam Carter, B.M. in Music Education ('01), was awarded the
Fulbright/Netherland-America Foundation Grant, and received his
post-graduate diploma in saxophone performance from the Conservatorium van
Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Andrea Cheeseman, DMA in Clarinet Performance ('01), was appointed
assistant professor of woodwinds at Delta State University (MS).
Kristen Cole, M.M. in Music Therapy ('01), received the Great Lakes
Region of Music Therapy Special Projects Award, along with Roger
Smeltekop, for her thesis project entitled "Music Therapy Assessment for
Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Survey Study." She presented a
concurrent session entitled "Let's Start at the Very Beginning: Back to
the Basics of Music Therapy Assessment" at the Great Lakes Region Music
Therapy Conference (IL). In addition, she was appointed assistant
professor of music and director of music therapy at Mississippi University
for Women.
Rachel Dale, M.M. in Conducting ('01) has been cast as Queen of the
Night in the Magic Flute at the University of Arizona, where she is
currently pursuing a DMA.
Donna Emmanuel, a doctoral candidate in Music Education ('02),
presented a session at the 2002 Midwestern Conference, and was appointed
assistant professor of music at the University of North Texas.
In Memoriam:
Janet Entwisle Griffith, B.M. ('74), passed away after a
three-year
battle with cancer. During her lifetime, she was assistant principal
trumpet of the Canton Symphony; member of the Opus One Chamber of
Orchestra (Ohio), Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra, and the Erie Symphony (PA);
music teacher in Cleveland Pubic Schools and at Michigan Tech University;
choir director at Portage Lake United Church; and trumpet teacher at the
University of Wyoming, where she conducted the University Singers. She
started an elementary instrumental music program at The Hawken School. Her
performances included trumpet soloist with bass-baritone Thomas Paul in
Handel's Messiah, Denver's Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Opera Colorado's
Otello, Colorado Ballet's Nutcracker, the Denver Brass, Tint Tots
Orchestra, and many brass ensembles at St. John's Cathedral. She was a
finalist in an International Women's Brass Conference competition and a
recipient of a Wyoming Arts Council performing artist grant. Griffith is
remembered as a devoted teacher who was loved and respected by her many
students, as a loving mother and wife, and a friend to many. Her spirit,
humor and determination were as memorable to her students as her musical
talent.
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Paul Hartley, M.M. in Clarinet Performance ('02), was one of nine
accepted into the DMA program for clarinet at the New England
Conservatory; was appointed principal clarinet of the Boston Civic
Orchestra; and received the Stephan and Josephine Ludewig Memorial
Scholarship in May 2001.
Ron Herrema, Ph.D. ('01) and M.M. ('86) in Music Composition, was
appointed adjunct faculty member, teaching computer music, music theory
and composition at Northeastern University in Boston. He recently
performed in a webcast produced by monroestreet.com at the 2002 MSU Honors
concert, and at the Longy School of Music in Boston.
Sungmi Kim, DMA ('01) and M.M. ('96) in Piano Performance, returned
to Korea to teach at Kyung Won University and various other schools in
Seoul.
Abe Khalaf, B.M. in Music Education ('01), was appointed
principal trombone with the West Shore Symphony Orchestra;
substitute trombone with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra;
and instrumental music director at Reeths/Puffer High School
in Muskegon (MI).
Glenn Klassen, DMA in Orchestral Conducting ('02), was appointed
music director/ conductor of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, and manager
of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, where he will also continue as
assistant conductor. He guest-conducted the Rochester Symphony Orchestra;
Mennonite Community Orchestra, Canada; the Traverse City Symphony
Orchestra; and the MSU Opera Theatre's Fall 2001 production of The Secret
Marriage.
Scott Lubaroff, DMA in Conducing ('01), was named associate
director of bands at Kansas State University.\
Peter Miyamoto, DMA in Piano Performance ('01), was appointed
assistant professor at the California School for the Arts.
Robert Moore, B.M. in Music Education ('02), received a teaching
assistantship at North Texas State University.
Scott Perry, DMA in Oboe Performance ('02), was appointed professor
of oboe at the University of Virginia in Fall 2002. He is also principal
oboe for the Charlottesville Symphony.
Susan Ruggiero, B.M. in Flute and Voice Performance ('02), was cast
as Elisetta in MSU's Fall 2001 Opera, The Secret Marriage, and performed
as a soloist in MSU's Spring 2002 Opera, Orpheus in the Underworld. She
performed on flute in the Chautauqua School of Music Festival Orchestra;
and received a School of Music Fellowship from the University of Michigan,
where she will pursue her M.M. in Flute Performance.
Geum-Suk Son, Ph.D. in Musicology ('00), was appointed a tenured
position in musicology at Southwest Baptist University (MO).
Nola Campbell Stabley, Ph.D. in Music Education ('00), published
"Creative Activities for String Students" in the Music Educators Journal
in September 2001.
Gary Sullivan, DMA in Wind Conducting ('01), is director of bands
at Charlotte High School (NC). He received the John Philip Sousa
Foundation's Legion of Honor award, which recognizes school band directors
who have maintained programs of very high quality.
Stacie Thompson, DMA in Clarinet Performance ('00), was appointed a
position with the U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C.
Brandon Ulrich, B.M. in Music Education ('01), was declared Alumni
Association Outstanding Senior by MSU's College of Arts & Letters, in
which he received $1,000.
Joan Vandessel, B.M. in Clarinet Performance ('01), received
the Sudler Award from MSU's College of Arts and Letters.
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