Event Calendar & News: Student News

Student News 2003

Marco Albonetti, a DMA candidate in Saxophone Performance, was appointed instructor of saxophone at the Conservatory of Bari (Italy). He presented several recitals and master classes as a member of the Transcontinental Saxophone Quartet, including a performance at the North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Saxophone Convention at the University of North Texas.

Jason Altieri, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, served on the faculty of the Interlochen Arts Camp (Mich.) as conductor of musical productions.

Benjamin Ayotte, a doctoral candidate in Music Theory, published a book on the annotated bibliography of writings dealing with the theory and analytical approach of the Australian theorist Heinrich Schenker as part of the Routledge Press Music Bibliographies series.

Gerald J. Blanchard, a doctoral candidate in Voice Performance, served as an adjunct voice faculty member at the University of Michigan-Flint. He performed as a baritone soloist in Mozart’s Requiem Mass with the St. Clair Symphony Orchestra and Rochester University Choirs, and in Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Central Michigan University Symphony Orchestra. He also performed Aaron Copeland's Old American Songs at the Michigan State Capital Building as a guest artist with the Detroit Symphonia. He received the King-Chavez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship Award for academic excellence and evidence of leadership potential. Other activities include a series of lectures, master classes and recitals throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, and teaching a six-week audition technique workshop at Darlington Fine Arts Center in Philadelphia.

John Bragle, an undergraduate in Music Education, served as choral director at the Asbury United Methodist Church in Lansing, and as music director at the Chalmont Summer Theater Program in Albany (N.Y.).

Janet Brenneman, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, accepted a three-year position at the Canadian Mennonite University.

Wei-Tsun Chang, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, was appointed assistant professor of violin at Tennessee Tech University.

Michael Conti, a doctoral candidate in Composition, won the Steiner Chorale Original Composition Contest for Have You Got a Brook for mixed chorus and piano. He received $400 and a CD recording of the work’s premiere by the Steiner Chorale. Other pieces he composed include: Duet for Flute and Saxophone, published by Dorn Publications, Inc., and performed by music students Jennifer and Eric Lau at the World Saxophone Congress XIII; Choric Song for mixed chorus and piano, published by Alliance Music Publications, Inc.; and Songs of Valediction for soprano and piano, which was named honorable mention in the National Federation of Music Clubs 2003 Beyer Composition Competition.

Laura Cooper, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, was appointed music director-conductor of the Mason (Mich.) Symphony Community Orchestra and Mason Youth Symphony.

She was a Fellow at the Conductors Institute of South Carolina, and conducted at the Conductors Institute at Spoleto (USA).

Lateena Dinkins, a master’s student in Voice Performance, was a featured vocalist in the Midwest premier of the film score Body & Soul at the Wharton Center.

Paris Draghici, a master’s student in Violin Performance, performed with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, and the West Shore Symphony Orchestra.

Kenneth Drobnak, a doctoral candidate in Tuba and Euphonium Performance, performed as principal tuba with the National Wind Ensemble in Carnegie Hall; received MSU graduate school travel funds; and wrote several reviews for the International Tuba-Euphonium Association Journal.

Andrea Dykstra, a doctoral candidate in Musicology, was awarded a Graduate Merit fellowship for her dissertation work on the music of George W. Chadwick.

Brian Enabnit, a master’s student in Music Education, was a semifinalist in the euphonium artist competition and was one of three finalists as a member of the MSU Tuba-Euphonium Quartet in the quartet competition at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Greensboro (N.C.).

Jonathon Gewirtz, a master’s student in Saxophone Performance, served as instructor of saxophone and jazz studies at Lansing Community College (Mich.).

Murray Gross, a doctoral candidate in Composition, received an honorable mention for his composition Cloud Forest in the Debussy Trio Music Foundation 2002 International Composition Competition, dedicated to the memory of Debussy’s Trio for Flute, Viola, and Harp. Of over fifty entries, Gross’ entry was one of four finalists and his composition was the only entry from the United States to receive recognition, including performances and publication.

Shannon Gunn, a master’s student in Music Education, served as principal trombone with the Pontiac/Oakland Symphony.

Timothy Gunn, a doctoral candidate in Bassoon Performance, was appointed second bassoon for the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra and principal bassoon for the Battle Creek (Mich.) Symphony.

Yasuhiko Harada, a master’s student in Voice Performance, was selected by audition to participate in the Baroque Music Workshop with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Toronto.

Emily Hay, a doctoral candidate in Oboe Performance, performed as a featured concerto soloist with the Jackson (Mich.) Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony. As a member of the ensemble Raising Cane, she performed in the semi-finals of the National Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in South Bend (Ind.).

Brian Hermanson, a master’s student in Clarinet Performance, was appointed second clarinet for the Buffalo (N.Y.) Symphony Orchestra.

John Hipol, an undergraduate in Music Education, was appointed assistant principal horn of the Midland (Mich.) Symphony Orchestra.

Chi-Chung Ho, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, participated in the American Symphony Orchestra League’s Conducting Workshop, and the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra Workshop. He served as music director/conductor of the Mason (Mich.) Orchestra, guest conductor of the Sudecka Philharmonic in Poland, and conductor of University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society productions.

Angela Hodgins, an undergraduate in Voice Performance, was selected by audition to participate in vocal and chamber music programs at the Aria Summer Music Festival in London (Ontario, Canada). She was appointed as a private voice teacher at Three Fires School in Brighton (Mich.).

Jonathan Holden, a doctoral candidate in Clarinet Performance, served as principal clarinet with the Jackson (Mich.) Symphony.

Michael Hovnanian, a doctoral candidate in Double Bass Performance, performs as an extra musician for the Grand Rapids Symphony, and is on the substitute list for the New World Symphony.

Yu-Feng Huang, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, performed as a member of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Jackson (Mich.) Symphony, and taught at the Flint (Mich.) Institute of Music.

Jennifer Kennard, a doctoral candidate in Flute Performance, gave a presentation on “Neglected Chamber Music for Flute and Its Correlating Historical Background: The Baroque Era” at the 2003 Great Lakes Chapter meeting of the College Music Society.

Jaehee Kim, a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance, won first prize in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Michigan regional competition, and third prize in MTNA’s Eastern Central competition.

Lisa Koops, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, received a Special College Research Abroad Moneys (SCRAM) fellowship from the MSU College of Arts & Letters. Through the fellowship, she traveled to The Gambia, West Africa to investigate the uses of music games in elementary general music instruction. She wrote her master’s thesis on her research, and will present her material at the Michigan Music Educator’s In-Service Conference. (See article on page Bringing African Influences to the American Classroom)

Greg Kristianson, a master’s student in Double Bass Performance, was invited to audition for the Baltimore Symphony from a national field of players.

Matt Maslanka, an undergraduate in Tuba and Euphonium Performance, was one of three finalists in the euphonium artist division at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Greensboro (N.C.). He was a semifinalist in the artist division of the Falcone International Euphonium artist level competition. He performed as an extra with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and received a scholarship from the Institute for the International Education of Students for study abroad in Vienna (Austria).

Theresa Merrill, a doctoral candidate in Music Education, was sponsored and invited to present at the International Symposium on Qualitative Research in Music Therapy in Berlin (Germany), and at the University of Aalborg (Denmark). She published a refereed article in the Canadian Journal of Music Therapy.

Dirk Meyer, a master’s student in Orchestral Conducting, was accepted to the International Opera Workshop in Bulgaria to study and participate in the production of Bizet’s Carmen and Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

Ben Miles, a doctoral candidate in Tuba and Euphonium Performance, was substitute tuba with the West Shore Symphony, and won third prize in the artist tuba division of the Falcone International Tuba artist level competition.

Nathan Miller, a master’s student in Trumpet Performance, was appointed third trumpet for the Midland (Mich.) Symphony.

Xie Min, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, was assistant concertmaster of the Jackson (Mich.) Symphony, and principal second violin for the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra.

Brent Mondoskin, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance, participated in the Belgium/Dinant International Concours Competition in Dinant (Belgium).

Nick Murdick, a master’s student in Horn Performance, was appointed third horn for the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and positions with Jackson, Midland, and Battle Creek symphonies (Mich.). He served as personnel manager of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, and performed as substitute and extra horn with many orchestras throughout Michigan.

Laura Nanes, an undergraduate in Voice Performance, was accepted to the Seagle Music Colony and Brevard Music Center.

Joel Navarro, a doctoral candidate in Choral Conducting, was appointed associate professor of music on the faculty at Calvin College.

Paul Nolen, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance, was awarded first place in the Lansing Matinee Musicale Woodwind Artist Competition.

Carrie Olds, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, performed as a member of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Jackson (Mich.) Symphony, and taught at the Jackson Community School.

Cory Palmer, an undergraduate in Double Bass Performance, received a scholarship to perform in the Brevard Festival Orchestra.

Jin Seok Park, a doctoral candidate in Clarinet Performance, won the Salon Memorial Music Competition in Detroit, and performed with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra.

Spencer Phillips, an undergraduate in Double Bass Performance, was appointed principal bass of the Detroit Civic Symphony; a position with the Lancaster Festival Symphony; and a position as an extra musician with the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Bryan Pokorney, a doctoral candidate in Trombone Performance, was appointed bass trombone with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra (GLSO). As a GLSO representative, he presented clinics and performances for elementary schools throughout the Lansing area. He performed as substitute bass trombone with the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Symphony Orchestra, and bass trombone with the Midland (Mich.) Symphony Orchestra.

Phillip Popham, a master’s student in Oboe Performance, was appointed the English horn position for the Midland (Mich.) Symphony, and “English horn of choice” for the West Shore Symphony. He appeared as an oboe/English horn soloist with the Peabody Camerata in Baltimore, and on oboe and English horn with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Jackson (Mich.) Symphony.

Paul Popiel, a doctoral candidate in Wind Conducting, was named winner of the Frank L. Battisti Conducting Residency Award by the Tanglewood Music Center, where he studied and assisted with the Youth Wind Ensemble in Summer 2003. (See article on page Popiel recieves Frank L. Battisti Conducting Fellowship).

Mary Procopio, a doctoral candidate in Flute Performance and Ethnomusicology, spent three weeks in Haiti studying Haitian music, dance and culture. She presented the paper “Transculturation in the Cuban Diaspora: Musical and Cultural Identity in the Lansing Cuban Community” at the Society for Ethnomusicology Regional Chapter meeting in Ohio, and at the College Music Society (CMS) Regional Chapter meeting in Indiana. Her paper was also accepted for presentation at the CMS International Conference in Costa Rica. Procopio was the recipient of a Tinker Field Research Grant, which covers airfare to Cuba; a Special College Research Abroad Moneys (SCRAM) Fellowship for summer research on Haitian music and culture, and a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship to study Haitian Creole.

Maxim Samarov, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, was a staff accompanist at the Interlochen Arts Camp (Mich.).

Abby Schwab, an undergraduate in Music Education, performed as a featured xylophone soloist with the Bay Concert Band in Bay City (Mich.).

Alyson Sklar, a master’s student in Voice Performance, served as an adjunct voice faculty member at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek (Mich.). She sang as a mezzo-soprano soloist in Mozart’s Requiem with the St. Clair Symphony Orchestra.

Donell Snyder, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance, performed as a member of the Great Lakes Saxophone Quartet at the North American Saxophone Alliance National Saxophone Biennial Convention at the University of North Texas.

Evgeniy Sporov, a doctoral candidate in Violin Performance, was appointed a position at the Jackson (Mich.) Music School. He served as principal second violin of the Jackson Symphony, and taught at Jackson Symphony Community School.

Maya Stone, a master’s student in Bassoon Performance, was appointed second bassoon of the Jackson (Mich.) Symphony.

Richard Tirk, a doctoral candidate in Trumpet Performance, was appointed principal trumpet in both the Saginaw (Mich.) and the Midland (Mich.) Symphonies. He received a Merit Fellowship from MSU to conduct research in Scotland, Hungary and Austria.

Suzanne Tirk, a doctoral candidate in Clarinet Performance, held clarinet sabbatical replacement positions at Central Michigan University and the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music.

Lara Troyer, a doctoral candidate in Voice Performance, was a finalist in the Harold Haugh Light Opera Vocal Competition in Ann Arbor (Mich.), and won the National Association of Teachers of Singing Michigan state competition and the Classical/Opera category for the “Sing Lansing!” competition, which allowed her to sing with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra. She spent Summer 2002 at "Opera in the Ozarks" in Eureka Springs (Ark.), where she received a Graduate Enhancement Fellowship and sang soprano in Robert Kapilow's Green Eggs and Ham.

Matthew Tuell, an undergraduate in Voice Performance, sang as a tenor soloist in Bach’s Symposium at Calvin College (Mich.) and with the Dearborn (Mich.) Symphony Orchestra. He performed in three Michigan Opera Theatre productions: the role of Rodrigo in Othello, the role of Hadji in Lakmé, and the role of Basilio/Don Curzio in Le Nozze di Figaro.

Richard Uren, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, participated in the Medomak Conductor’s Retreat in Maine.

Viktor Uzur, a doctoral candidate in Cello Performance, was invited to participate in the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.

William Vliek, an undergraduate in Music Education, performed as substitute bass trombone with the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Battle Creek (Mich.) Symphony Orchestra.

Forrest Wakeman, a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance, was appointed assistant professor of music at Cornerstone University.

John Waytena, a doctoral candidate in Clarinet Performance, studied contemporary Hungarian clarinet music at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Hungary as a Fulbright Scholar. He taught at the Flint (Mich.) Institute of Music and gave a performance at the European Fulbright Seminar in Berlin (Germany) and at the Aspen Music Festival.

Rachael Willeke, an undergraduate in Clarinet Performance, was appointed a teaching position with the Aria Festival in London (Ontario, Canada).

Catherine Wood, a doctoral candidate in Clarinet Performance, received a Canada Study Grant for Female Doctoral Students, and the Tom Birkett Award for Outstanding Graduate Clarinet Students at the University of Oklahoma.

Youqing Yang, a doctoral candidate in Orchestral Conducting, was accepted into the conducting workshop of the Chicago Civic Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus.

Kwan-Yee Amy Yeung, who received a DMA in vocal performance in Spring 2003, and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in music theory, made her debut in Taiwan at Teipei National Hall under the guidance of her mentor Meredith Zara. She was featured as soprano soloist with the Vratca Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria.

Student Ensemble News

Little Blue Saxophone Quartet, performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance National Saxophone Biennial Convention at the University of North Texas.

Nathaniel Berman, an undergraduate in Clarinet Performance

Melanie Manlusoc, an undergraduate in Instrumental Music Education

Sarah McGuire, an undergraduate in Saxophone Performance

Lesley Anne Newsted, an undergraduate in Music Education

MSU Tuba-Euphonium Quartet, was one of three finalists in the quartet competition at the International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Greensboro (N.C.).

Ben Miles, a doctoral candidate in Tuba and Euphonium Performance

Matt Maslanka, an undergraduate in Tuba and Euphonium Performance

Kenneth Drobnak, a doctoral candidate in Tuba and Euphonium Performance

Raising Cane, performed in the semi-finals of the National Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in South Bend (Ind.).

Emily Hay, a doctoral candidate in Oboe Performance

Phillip Popham, a master’s student in Oboe Performance

Sara Pokorney, a doctoral candidate in Oboe Performance

Rasa Saxophone Quartet, won first place in the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Chamber Music Competition. The Quartet was also featured at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Convention, the Region–5 National Association Saxophone Alliance Conference, and at the World Saxophone Congress XIII. (See article on page Rasa Saxophone Quartet wins MTNA National Chamber Music Competition).

Wilton Elder, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance

Paul Forsyth, a master’s student in Saxophone Performance

Bryan Jao, a master’s student in Saxophone Performance

Paul Nolen, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance

White Noise Saxophone Quartet, performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance National Saxophone Biennial Convention at the University of North Texas. The Quartet also performed in the semi-finals of the National Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in South Bend (Ind.).

Sheri Brown, an undergraduate in Music Education

Janell Christie, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance

Brent Mondoskin, a doctoral candidate in Saxophone Performance