Music @ K-State 2012 FALL NEWSLETTER - Kansas State University

Music @ K-State FALL NEWSLETTER 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
From the Program Director
FACULTY NEWS - 2, 3
THE KONZA WIND QUINTET - 2
STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM MARTINI
ORGAN ACQUISITION - 3
STUDENT AND ALUMNI NEWS
- 3, 4
MCCAIN 204
RENOVATIONS ON THE HORIZON - 4
Greetings! As we enter our first year
as the School of Music, Theatre, and
Dance, we are witness to some of the
most positive, profound, and rapid
change and growth in the history
of our music program. This growth
has yielded record enrollments in
music curricula and courses. Also, the
vitality of the program is evident in
our students’ achievements and in the
collaborative nature of their studies
with our faculty.
This year, the music program will
sponsor more than 180 on-campus
events, ranging from student concerts
and recitals to faculty and guest
recitals, to our many festivals and
clinics. Our fall musical production of
Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man”
was a most fitting way to celebrate
and inaugurate the unified efforts of
all three programs that comprise our
school.
Enjoy reading this newsletter — stories
that bring our vision of “Music for Life”
to reality.
With gratitude,
Kurt Gartner
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR
ALUMNI!
Please send your news updates
to Kristin Mortenson at
kmortens@k-state.edu.
We welcome your donations
to the Music Service Guild to
help support current and future
students. Click HERE to make a
donation through the Kansas
State University Foundation.
Gary Mortenson
Kansas State University’s performing arts
programs are now part of the School of
Music, Theatre, and Dance.
The Kansas Board of Regents supported the
university’s proposal to elevate the programs to
school status this past June, after nearly a year
of discussion and planning with faculty, students
and administrative personnel, and following a
realignment of programs earlier this spring.
Gary Mortenson, professor of music and former music
department head, was named director of the School of
Music, Theatre, and Dance following the realignment.
Kurt Gartner, professor of music, was named associate
director – program director for music.
Kurt Gartner
Music
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Faculty News
Welcome to the following new faculty
in the music program:
Joshua Britt received his Ph.D. in music
composition from Texas Tech University.
He teaches Music Fundamentals.
Neil Dunn earned a Master of Music
with percussion emphasis from the
University of Arizona in 2002. He is
principal timpanist for the Topeka
Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona
Opera Company orchestra. He teaches
Rhythmic Notation for Dancers,
Composition 1 for Dancers, Dance and
Technology, West African Music, Applied
Percussion and percussion ensembles.
Matthew McCoy is completing his Ph.D.
in music education from the University
of Oklahoma. He teaches elementary
and secondary general music methods,
as well as supervises student teachers at
K-State.
Elizabeth Robinson holds a Doctor of
Arts degree from Ball State University,
as well as a Master of Music from
San Francisco State University and a
Bachelor of Music degree from Drake
University. She teaches Introduction to
Music.
Rod Walker has come out of K-State
retirement to teach applied voice. He
received a Bachelor of Music Educator
from the University of Nebraska, a
Master of Music Education from the
University of Wichita, and has done
advanced study at the University of
Colorado, University of Iowa and Indiana
University.
Ben Worcester holds a Master of Music
in composition/theory from K-State,
a Bachelor of Music Education from
K-State and a Bachelor of Science in
Bible from Manhattan Christian College.
He teaches music theory.
Current faculty news:
Jana Fallin has been chosen as
interim director for K-State’s Center
for the Advancement of Teaching and
Music
Learning. Fallin has been a professor
and division chair in the university’s
music education program since
1988. She was the Coffman Chair
for Distinguished Teaching Scholars
in 2002-2003, and now works with
colleges, departments and faculty in
all matters related to teaching, from
conducting seminars or workshops to
individualized teaching consultation.
Director of jazz studies and professor
of music Wayne Goins’ book, “That’s
All Right: The Jimmy Rogers Story,”
is scheduled to be published by the
University of Illinois press in early 2013.
Goins is currently working on a new
solo jazz CD project, and he wrote two
entries that were included the “New
Grove Dictionary of Jazz,” published by
Joshua Britt
Neil Dunn
Matthew McCoy
Oxford University Press.
New Faculty
Left to right
Elizabeth Robinson
Rod Walker
Ben Worcester
Clarinet professor Tod Kerstetter was
appointed to the Board of Directors of
the International Clarinet Association,
and is currently serving as the
association’s treasurer. He was invited
to perform a duo with Hutchinson
clarinetist Jeff Pelischek at the
association’s international convention
held in Lincoln, Neb., last summer.
He also served as interim principal
clarinetist of the Topeka Symphony
during the 2012 spring semester.
Assistant professor of flute Karen
Large was awarded a K-State Research
Grant to create the Virtual Flute Choir
website, with collaborative performance
contributions from flutists across the
Composer Lansing McLoskey with the
Konza Winds
country. Visit the site at http://www.
virtualflutechoir.com.
David Littrell, distinguished
professor of music, took the Gold
Orchestra, composed of students in
grades 5-10, on a tour of Memphis and
Nashville in Tennessee during May
2012. The orchestra performed at Laura
Ingalls Wilder’s adulthood home in
southern Missouri, at Graceland and
outside the Grand Ole Opry. They also
made a recording in the historic Studio
B in Nashville. The Gold Orchestra will
perform in Carnegie Hall for the third
time in 2014.
Steven Maxwell, assistant professor
of music, and Paul Hunt, professor of
music, presented a guest artist recital at
the International Tuba and Euphonium
Association Conference held in Linz,
Austria, in June 2012. Maxwell and
Hunt performed “Sonata for Trombone,
Tuba and Piano” by John Davidson.
Maxwell premiered a new work titled
“Absurdities for Tuba and Digital
Media” by Paul Hunt. The work was well
received by the audience and was given
a great review in the International Tuba
and Euphonium Association Journal.
Steven Maxwell and Susan Maxwell,
instructor of music, performed at the
University of Memphis in September,
giving master classes and working with
students from the tuba/euphonium
and bassoon studios. Steven Maxwell
performed a solo recital in the evening
with Susan Maxwell joining him for a
premier of a new arrangement of the
work “Conversations” by Barbara York.
The Konza Wind Quintet was invited to perform “Hardwood,” a new work for wind quintet
by Lansing McLoskey of the University of Miami, at the International Clarinet Association’s
2012 convention in Lincoln, Neb. The composer was the winner of the Joint Wind Quintet
Project, sponsored by the International Clarinet Association, the International Double Reed
Society, the National Flute Association and the International Horn Society. The journal The
Clarinet described the Konza Wind Quintet’s performance as demonstrating “commanding
precision, tremendous color, and extraordinary character variation.” Members of the Konza
Winds are assistant professor of flute Karen McLaughlin Large, assistant professor of oboe
Nora Lewis, professor of clarinet Tod Kerstetter, instructor of bassoon Susan Maxwell and
associate professor of French 2 horn Jacqueline Fassler-Kerstetter.
Music
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K-State acquires organ, makes way for more practice space
To accommodate the steady growth of the organ studio, the Reuter organ housed in McCain 102 was sold
back to the Reuter Organ Co., and McCain 102 was divided into two separate organ practice rooms. The
fine Werner Bosch mechanical action organ was moved from its former home in McCain 106 to the newly
designated McCain 102B. The room McCain 102A soon will be home to a Martini model practice organ
built by the Holtkamp Organ Co. in 1976 for Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. This practice organ
was a gift to Morningside, and the donor’s son was very gracious in allowing K-State to acquire this fine
practice organ for moving costs only. The organ is still in fine condition and has many more years of life left,
and K-State organ students will lovingly use it for many years.
Assistant professor of organ David
Pickering was a featured recitalist on
the Dome and Spire Recital Series at
the Community of Christ Auditorium
in Independence, Mo., where he
conducted a book signing for his
first book, “The Auditorium Organ,” a
history of the 1959 Aeolian-Skinner
organ housed in the auditorium. He
also performed at the Stiefel Theater in
Salina, Kan., with K-State colleague Amy
Rosine, assistant professor of voice, in
songs by Bernstein, Hoiby, and Rodgers
and Hammerstein.
Associate professor of voice Reg
Pittman was elected vice president
of regions for the National Opera
Association during the 2012 national
convention held in Memphis, Tenn.
In June, Pittman conducted the Flint
Hills Masterworks Chorale during its
Italy trip. The choir performed at St.
Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, St. Mark’s
Cathedral in Florence, St. Francis of
Assisi Cathedral and St. Peter’s Basilica
in Rome.
Craig Weston, professor of music
theory and composition, presented
a paper titled “Some Properties of
Non-Octave-Repeating Scales, and
Why Composers Might Care,” at the
2012 Society of Composers Inc.
Region VI conference at West Texas
A&M University. Papers were selected
through a national peer review process.
Anna Marie Wytko, assistant
professor of saxophone, and Amanda
Arrington, piano collaborative artist,
presented the international premiere
of noted American composer Karen
P. Thomas’ “When Night Came,” for
Soprano Saxophone and Piano, at
World Saxophone Congress XVI at the
University of St. Andrews in Scotland
in July. Wytko and Arrington also
presented the world premiere of Craig
Weston’s “Intensity 8.5” at the Wichita
Art Museum in September. Weston’s
Intensity 8.5 at the Wichita Art Museum
in September.
Student & Alumni News
Sarah Bernard-Stevens (Master of
Music Education 2012) is an instructor
of band, music theory, ear training and
bassoon at Kansas Wesleyan University.
Joshua Bonilla, senior in music
composition, had two pieces performed
at the 2012 Society of Composers Inc.
Region VI conference at West Texas A&M
University: “Upon the Waters” for piano,
and “Spring Has Begun” for mixed vocal/
instrumental chamber ensemble.
Megan Cahoj (Bachelor of Music
Education 2012) is teaching band at
Stockton High School.
Greg Coffey (Master of Music Education
2012) is performing and working as
a recording engineer in Nashville,
Tenn. Check out his website, http://
www.gregcoffeymusic.com, for more
information.
Alex Cook (Bachelor of Music Education
2012) is teaching at Jayhawk-Linn Junior
High/High School, Mound City.
Zack Corpus (Bachelor of Music 2009)
graduated this spring from the University
of North Texas with a Master of Music in
tuba performance. He was awarded the

Student & Alumni News
McCain 204 Renovations on the Horizon!
continued
College of Music Outstanding Graduate
Student in Brass Award and was voted a
member of Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor
Society. Corpus accepted a full tuition
assistantship and stipend to attend the
University of Memphis for his Doctor of
Musical Arts beginning this fall. He is also
working as adjunct instructor of tuba and
euphonium at the University of Arkansas
at Monticello.
Adele Falk (Bachelor of Music
2010) worked as a SAFEHOME
agency volunteer and Metropolitan
Organization to Counter Sexual
Assault victim advocate and education
volunteer until beginning her Master
of Social Work in administration and
advocacy at the University of Kansas this
fall.
Ryan Laney (Master of Music
Education 2012) is director of bands at
Broomfield High School in Colorado.
Adam Lundine (Bachelor of Music
Education 2011) is assistant band director
at Blue Valley Northwest High School.
Lyle Sobba (Bachelor of Music
Education 2008, Master of Music
Education 2011) is head band director at
Garden City High School.
Eric Starnes (Bachelor of Music
Education 2011) is director of bands at
Prosperity and Buhler grade schools,
and
associate director of bands at Buhler
High School.
Brian Williams (Bachelor of Music
2012) has been awarded a graduate
assistantship to perform in the
Blackwelder Brass and pursue his Master
of Music degree in trumpet at Oklahoma
City University. The assistantship includes
a full tuition waiver plus stipend, and a
church residency/performance position.
Peter Weinert, senior in music
education, was a winner of this year’s
Concerto Competition. He performed
Lars-Erik Larssen’s Concertino with the
K-State Orchestra in October.
Melissa Woodworth (Bachelor of Music
Education 2012) is director of bands at
Osage City High School.
Thanks to the generosity of Jeune
and Phillip Kirmser’s estate, the music
program in the School of Music,
Theatre, and Dance has received more
than $300,000 in gifts following the
passing of these long time residents
of Manhattan. These funds, along with
an allocation of $50,000 from K-State’s
office of the dean of Arts and Sciences
and the provost’s office, are making
possible extensive renovations of
McCain 204.
The architectural firm of Bowman
Bowman Novick Inc. has been
retained to do the design work for the
construction that will take place in two
phases over the summers of 2013 and
2014. Acoustical Design Group has also
been retained to do consulting on the
acoustics and finishes employed in
the project. The conceptual design for
the room will maximize its role in the
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance as
a multi use room, including the main
rehearsal hall for the K-State Choirs, a
large lecture hall, and as a recital hall
for chamber music and solo settings.
Smart classroom technology will be
incorporated into the room, including
connectivity to the Internet. The room
will seat 100.
McCain 204 is one of the busiest spaces
in the entire university with more than
1,000 majors and non-majors receiving
instruction in the room every week.
Some of the groups and classes that
use the room include performing
ensembles like K-State Choir, Chorale,
University Chorus, K-State Singers,
In-A-Chord, Men’s and Women’s
Choirs, and classes like Introduction
to Music, History of Jazz, American
Music, Music for Elementary Teachers,
Advanced Conducting, Music History I,
and Freshman Seminar. Summer uses
include the K-State Music Symposium,
Summer Choral Institute, and Summer
Band and Choir Camps. The room is
also used as a performance venue for
student and faculty solo and chamber
music recitals.
We are extremely grateful to the
Kirmser estate for its generosity to
K-State’s music program, and look
forward to seeing the renovations
come to fruition over the course of the
next two years.
Music
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