ON
THE BEAT
(To
other issues)
The
Official Newsletter of Moravian College Music Department
Summer 2000,
Volume 4, issue iii
MUSIC
DEPARTMENT SINGS "TA-TA" TO ANOTHER TALENTED CLASS
HONORS PROJECT OCCUPIES SENIOR
ALUMNI ACTIVITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
JULY JAZZ GETAWAY PREPARES TO JAM
MORAVIAN BAND PROGRAM RESTRUCTURING
MUSIC ALLIANCE MAKES ALUMNI MEMORIAL
DO EXPANDS ITS RANKS
MEET OUR MAJORS
SPRING TERM WRAP-UP
STAFF CHANGES AND
"NOTE-WORTHY" VENTURES
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
COOK’S CORNER: Super Strawberry
Pie
MUSIC DEPARTMENT SINGS "TA-TA" TO ANOTHER TALENTED CLASS
On Saturday, May 13, Moravian College ended its 258th year with the annual commencement ceremony. The Music Department graduated another large, talented class this year. The class of ‘00 is listed below, along with their concentration and major instrument or voice:
Bachelor of Arts
Rosemary Chickersky (violin), cum laude
Margaret D’Ambra (soprano, elementary education)
JoLynn Dentith (piano), summa cum laude
Evangeline Dollemore (voice)
Nicoletta Fabiani (piano)
Alexis Katchuk (oboe), summa cum laude
Ryan McGarrigan (piano)
Noah Rachels (voice), summa cum laude
Eric Zimmerman (voice)
Bachelor of Music
Jamie Reese (soprano, music education)
Jennifer Smull (cello performance), summa cum laude, with Honors in Music; awarded the
Charles Abrecht Award
(the highest GPA over 4 years)
Nicole Stevenson (flute performance), cum laude
Music Minors
Bernard Benko Jr. (percussion)
Jonathan Biro (jazz guitar), cum laude
Wadell Dockery (percussion)
Molly Duffy (piano)
Emily Hotchkin (Celtic fiddle)
Michael Matuczinski Jr. (electric bass)
Jennifer Sheeto (voice), awarded the Timothy Breidegam Student Service Award
The T. Edgar Shields Memorial Prize for progress and proficiency in music was awarded to Jennifer Smull. You can read about her Honors project and graduate school plans elsewhere in On the Beat. J
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HONORS PROJECT OCCUPIES SENIOR
Jennifer Smull recently completed her Honors project, advised by Carol Traupman-Carr. Jen’s project was entitled, "Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto: Socialist Realism or Soviet Myth?" What follows is a summary of her project.
Speculation exists that Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto was either inspired by Pasternak’s Dr. Zhivago, or written as a reaction to Soviet censure of that author. Shostakovich’s work was hailed as the epitome of Socialist Realism by the Soviet regime, which pushed for early premieres in the West. These two ideas about the concerto seem to be in opposition to each other. This thesis provides a detailed analysis of Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto, discussing form, harmony, tonality, thematic content, and rhythm, in an attempt to understand and explain Shostakovich’s work. The musical evidence, in fact, does not seem to support either assertion above; the actual "meaning" of the work remains elusive.
Two current seniors, Emily Flower and Clara Thorne, are working on "off-sequence" Honors projects, meaning that they will complete their work in the Fall 2000 term. We look forward to their final reports in a later issue of On the Beat! J
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ALUMNI ACTIVITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
 | Rebekah Graver (B.Mus., ’99) will begin the Master’s in Vocal Performance at Temple University this fall, studying with Klara Meyers. |
| Jennifer Smull (B.Mus., ’00) turned down offers to attend Temple and the University of Toronto, in order to enter the M.A./Ph.D. program in musicology at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Jen hopes to continue her study of Shostakovich there. |
| Kelly Dolan (B.Mus., ’99) continues to report success in her Master’s program in music history at Temple University. Recently, Kelly was granted not one, but two awards: the William A. Singer Memorial Award (academic excellence) and The Dean Emeritus Helen Laird Tribute Award (supports student travel to competitions, festivals, and/or premieres). Kelly also forwarded this message: "…many professors here have said over and over again that Moravian does an excellent job preparing its music students for further studies. Some have told me that I was much better prepared than my most of my classmates. Moravian offered a lot of classes that other schools don’t have, such as Improv, Women in Music, and so on." Nice to have someone from the "outside" confirm what we all know to be true! |
| Jason Taylor (B.Mus., ’97) placed second in the Virginia Carty deLillo Composition Competition at Peabody Conservatory, where he is enrolled in graduate study. This was a "contest for composition majors who may submit works in any medium; this biennial competition, offered in alternate years, was made possible through the bequest of former dean Virginia Carty de Lillo. Awards include cash prizes to first and second place winners and a public performance, where practical, of the winning competition." This year the judges were the composition faculty from the Manhattan School of Music. Congratulations, Jason! |
| John Ondrey (B.Mus., ’98) sent the following message via e-mail: "Things are going well at David Brearley Middle/ High School. The music program is expanding, especially at the middle school level. I’ll be starting my graduate studies at Montclair St. in the summer or fall. I think of the Moravian faculty on a daily basis when teaching. …Our district is looking for other music teachers... So far, they like what Moravian produces. Send the word out!" |
| Chris Connelly (B.Mus., ’99) found employment in the Allentown School District, working at Harrison-Morton Middle School and South Mountain Middle School. At South Mountain, Chris works with his uncle, Pat Brady (B.Mus., ’87), where they have created an arts academy, which works to get students involved more heavily in art, music, dance, and theatre. These students then can go on to the Allentown Arts Academy, the arts-magnet high school, and many will pursue arts-related majors in college. South Mountain’s elite show choir, Kaleidoscope, recently took first place at a national competition in Disney World, the second time in three years they have won this prize. Good work, guys! |
| David Roth (B.A./B.Mus., ’85) has moved back to the Lehigh Valley, after 14 years in Colorado. Dave has set up a studio at home (Fogelsville) and recently was hired to replace his former teacher, Skip Wilkins, for a year, teaching jazz piano at Moravian. Welcome back, Dave! J |
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JULY JAZZ GETAWAY PREPARES TO JAM
The eighth installment of July Jazz Getaway is in the works. This year’s guest artist is tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Turrentine began touring while still in his teens, with Lowell Fulson’s Blues Band under the direction of pianist Ray Charles. Turrentine later played with the Dameron Big Band and eventually the Earl Bostic Big Band, replacing the legendary John Coltrane (at Trane’s recommendation!). Over the years, Turrentine’s recordings have combined musical energies with friends such as Ron Carter, Roland Hanna, Max Roach, Ray Charles, Freddie Hubbard, Jon Hendricks, George Benson, Cedar Walton, Herbie Hancock and many others.
As always, July Jazz Getaway is a jazz fantasy camp where participants can study improvisation, play in ensembles, big band, and jam sessions. Theory and improvisation lessons are available. The schedule of public events is listed below. All events are held in Foy Hall.
Sunday, July 9, 7PM Faculty Kick-Off Concert Admission: $8 general admission,$5 senior citizens, students with I.D., children 12 and under
Wednesday, July 12, 7PM Lehigh Valley Jam (Open Jam Session for musicians) — no admission charge
Thursday, July 13, 8PM Stanley Turrentine in Concert (with the Moravian College Jazz Ensemble and Big Band) Admission: $8 general admission; $5 senior citizens, students with I.D., children 12 and under
Friday, July 14 10:30 AM Workshop with Stanley Turrentine All seats $5
Saturday, July 15 8PM Campers’ Concert No admission charge
For more information about specific events or JJG, call 610-861-1650. J
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MORAVIAN BAND PROGRAM RESTRUCTURING
On May 11 the College faculty approved a restructuring of the Moravian College band program. Students may now receive academic credit for participation in Marching Band, Contemporary Ensemble, and/or Basketball Pep Band. Wind Ensemble will only be offered in the spring term.
In addition, a generous donation provided funds for Marching Band uniforms for fall 2000. You can see the uniform in the instrumental music part of our website.
All majors required or electing to be in Marching Band, students electing to participate in Fall 2000, and students planning to join in Fall 2001, should fill in and return the uniform measurement information on the web site ASAP! Otherwise they will be stuck with whatever size uniform is left over. The web site also outlines what uniform parts are to be supplied by students.
One week before classes begin, the first ever Marching Band Camp will be held at Moravian College for all fall 2000 Marching Band participants. The dates are Monday-Friday, August 21—25. Resident students may move into their dorm rooms. Meals will be covered. Remember this when planning the end of your summer!
We hope to see all alumni at the home football games this fall. Come say hello and bring your cameras!
[Editor’s note: The new Contemporary Ensemble will be manned primarily by performance majors, and other students by audition. The CE will perform various 20th and 21st century works in three concerts throughout the year, culminating in performances as part of the spring Moravian College Composers’ Concert.]
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MUSIC ALLIANCE MAKES ALUMNI MEMORIAL
Those of you who have spent time outside Peter and Hearst Halls might recall the lovely plaques from the early 1900s that recognize the graduates of the Moravian Seminary for Young Ladies. Now, the names of graduates of the Music Department will be similarly preserved for posterity, thanks to the generous donation of the Music Alliance. Each student will be listed by graduation year and degree conferred (BA or BMus). If you are a Moravian College alum with a degree in music, please verify your class year and the correct spelling of your name (at the time of your graduation) by calling Blair (610-861-1661) or by viewing the alumni list on our website (http://www.moravian.edu/public/music/alums/index.htm). Note that December graduates are, by college policy, listed as members of the subsequent graduating class (e.g., a December 1988 grad is listed with the Class of 1989).
Other Alliance Activities:
| Thanks also to the Music Alliance for helping in the purchase of a new nine-foot Steinway for Foy Concert Hall. The piano will arrive in late July. We can’t wait to show it off! The Alliance is working hard to raise money for our Piano Fund. The Department hopes to raise one-half million dollars to replace all of the old pianos in the department and have an endowment fund for the maintenance of those instruments. If you would like to contribute, please call Judy or Rose at 610-861-1650. J |
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In every issue, we invite you to get to know some of our current music majors, as they introduce themselves in their own words.
Kristy Bredin
My name is Kristy Bredin and I’m a sophomore at Moravian College from Doylestown, PA. I am a Comenius Scholar pursuing two majors, music and English. My major instrument is piano, although I have participated in other lessons and ensembles at Moravian, including clarinet lessons, jazz piano lessons, Women’s Chorus, Jazz Combo, Wind Ensemble, and Pep Band. In addition, I have had many opportunities to accompany and to perform as a soloist, including in the Robert Taub Master Class in September 1999. I am 1st VP of Delta Omicron (International Music Honor Fraternity), a member of Phi Eta Sigma (National Honor Society), a staff writer for the Comenian, a contributor to the manuscript (Moravian’s literary magazine), and a member of the Zinzendorf society (English society). Next year I will be Features Editor of the Comenian, and in my senior year I hope to do an honors project that discusses the relationship between works of literature and music.
Although choosing a college can be difficult, my decision to come to Moravian came with relatively little contemplation. After narrowing the choice to colleges that had strong programs in both Music and English and would facilitate completion of both within 4 years, I visited several campuses and felt immediately at home at Moravian.
Although I had been interested in playing piano since the age of 7, I didn’t begin lessons until I was 9. In 5th grade I also took up the clarinet in the school band. At Moravian, I continue my piano studies with Martha Schrempel, who has helped to develop my musical abilities significantly in the past 2 years. My participation in my high school music program also helped me to develop my skills as a musician. During my 4 years, I participated in the annual talent shows, marching band, concert band, and the pit for the musicals. As a senior, I was co-captain of the Marching Unit and keyboard soloist in the field show.
After I graduate from Moravian I hope to work in publishing and eventually to publish my own poetry. I am also interested in writing for a music-oriented magazine or journal so that I could use both by English and music skills. In addition, I hope to continue to develop my abilities as a pianist and musician and continue to perform. J
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Of course, the most exciting musical event this spring, this year, and perhaps in many years was the performance by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on April 27. Here are some faculty and staff reflections on this monumental event for our department:
| "It was 5 years of anticipation…and when Nancy [Clark] received the final word of approval, the excitement grew…What a wonderful evening—the thrill of seeing a live performance of LCJO and then meeting these talented musicians and composers—Wynton himself, "Warmdaddy" Anderson, Victor Goines, who were most anxious to meet and speak with us and the students and posed for pictures. It was wonderful to watch the faculty, administration, staff and students all having fun together at this special event." (Judy Bernd, Academic Secretary) |
| The first piece was only about ten seconds old when [7-year-old daughter] Julia dragged me out on the dance floor and did her inimitable version of Swing dancing (a cross between beginning ballet, English country dancing, and the Teletubby waddle). Then I convinced [my wife] Linda to join us for an equally inimitable "Lipkis a trois." It’s quite rare—and very refreshing—to see students, faculty, and staff all unabashedly enjoying the same musical experience. It certainly speaks to the unifying power of big band music to sway hearts, minds, and bodies of all ages. Kudos to Nancy Clark and the whole staff of the Music Department for all of their hard work to make it happen. (Larry Lipkis, Chair) |
| The concert given by the LCJO was one of the highlights of my years at Moravian College. The opportunity to hear the finest musicians playing jazz music as ‘dance’ music is a rarity. Since jazz began to move into the concert hall earlier in the century, it has distanced itself from one of its original functions: dance. The ensemble work of the musicians approached that of chamber music. Our students were fortunate to hear this fine group of world class musicians. (Neil Wetzel, adjunct instructor of saxophone and jazz) |
| Special kudos to the Moravian College Swing Dance Club, which put on an impressive intermission routine! |
Sarah Smith, Justin DeAngelo, Lauren Nicholas, Nicolle Woods, Matthew Silvius, Wynton Marsalis, Tom Powell, Steve Rosati, Noah Rachels, and Erin Jennings after the concert.
Two great sax players: Lauren Nicholas and "Warmdaddy" Anderson!
* * * * *
Also, this past spring term:
| Ballet Hispanico presented a lively, festive dance recital to a full house. |
| The second annual Cabaret, held on May 20 in Peter Hall was a success. This fundraiser for our piano fund has quickly become an area favorite. We’ve already out-grown Peter Hall, and will be moving to a slightly larger site next spring. |
| Students in Dr. Traupman-Carr’s Music in the 19th Century class designed web pages as study guides for works on the syllabus. To view these works visit the following sites: |
This was the first time for this type of project in the music history courses, and it was so successful it will become part of our routine. Don’t know these pieces? (Shame on you!) Visit these impressive sites and learn.
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The Gamma Pi chapter of Delta Omicron added the following new members this year:
Kristen Adamson (’01, vocal performance)
Vincent Byrne (’02, percussion)
Susan Carr (’02, elementary ed.)
Steve Carrasco (’03, vocal performance)
Lisa Costello (’03, music ed.)
Amy DePuy (’01, music minor)
Lily Flower (’01, music ed.)
Erin Kutyla (’02, B.A.)
Kay Leavy (’03, music ed.)
Kristen Moyer (’02, music minor)
Tonya Ogden (’01, music ed.)
Tom Powell (’03, sacred music)
Bob Stevens (’03, composition)
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STAFF CHANGES AND "NOTE-WORTHY" VENTURES
| Rosemary Bortz, music library assistant, resigned her position at Moravian to move to Australia, where she will be married later this summer. Best of luck, Rosemary! |
| Barbara Liebhaber is continuing to work on an Ed.D. at Columbia University Teachers College. In the meantime, she looks forward to her first publication—her article "So You Are Going to Have a Student Teacher" will be published this fall in the MENC publication, Teaching Music. |
| Brian Henkelmann (adjunct instructor of piano, and class of ’78) reports that his Five Hymn Preludes for Oboe and Keyboard (97-6871) will be published by Concordia Publishing House as part of their Lent/Easter 2001 list. The work will be available by mid November 2000. More on Brian in the next bullet… |
| The hymn, "Through the Riches of God’s Goodness," music written by Brian Henkelmann and text by Stephanie Stover, is the $1000 winner of the hymn contest sponsored by the Millennium Observance Committee, an ecumenical gathering of friends in Christ in Central Pennsylvania, representing 13 church traditions. The hymn will be introduced publicly on June 18 at the Forum, Harrisburg, as part of a Millennium Choral Festival. |
| Lou Carol Fix, organ teacher at Moravian, reports the following: On May 6, 2000, an organ scholarship competition took place at First Presbyterian Church in Allentown. The competition was open to Lehigh Valley residents in 9th-12th grades. The event was coordinated by Lou Carol Fix, and sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, for which Lou Carol serves as Dean. |
| Arianna Goldina (piano instructor) reports the following activities: "My husband (pianist Rémy Loumbrozo) and I are going to participate in several summer music festivals here and in France. We are scheduled to appear at the Interlochen Music Festival where we will play with orchestra as well as give a solo recital. We will also perform at the Vichy Opera Festival and the Festival of the Dame des Aulnes in southwest France, and in other venues closer to home. In addition, we are in the process of recording a new CD dedicated to the two-piano music of Copland, which will be released on the Phoenix label." |
| Larry Lipkis completes his tour-of-duty as department chair on June 30. Thanks, Larry, for 3 years of hard work. Larry will be on leave for the Fall ’00 term to resume his compositional activities. He will be writing a bassoon concerto on commission from the Houston Symphony Orchestra. The premiere has been planned for the 2001—2002 season. |
| Carol Traupman-Carr will assume the responsibilities of department chair. Normally, this is a 3-year term, but after a year, Carol will journey 8/10 of a mile up Main Street to occupy the position of Associate Dean of the College for two years. |
| Carol Traupman-Carr (history/theory) and Paula Zerkle (Director of Choral Activities) were granted tenure in the Spring ’00 term. Congrats to both! |
| Other staff changes: Mimi Papp (violin instructor) is leaving to get married, and will move to Baltimore. Good luck, Mimi. Nancy Bidlack (cello instructor) is retiring from teaching, but will continue to perform in the Lehigh Valley. Peter Paulsen (string bass) is leaving to concentrate his teaching in the Philadelphia area and because of increased compositional activities. Skip Wilkins (jazz piano) will take a one-year leave to teach full-time at nearby Lafayette College next year. Eric Sessler (composition) will join the faculty in the fall, teaching composition lessons and practica, as well as orchestration during Larry Lipkis’ sabbatical. Paul Larson (professor emeritus) returns in both the fall and spring terms to teach non-Western music courses. Paul will also be around a lot in October, as co-chair of the Fourth Bethlehem Conference on Moravian Music and co-curator of an exhibition in Payne Gallery. (Carol Traupman-Carr will work on both activities with Paul.) J |
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The co-chairs are pleased to announce the schedule of events, printed below. (Due to space constraints, some details have been left out here. For a brochure and registration materials, call 610-861-1650.)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25: Gala at Payne Gallery; opening of exhibition "The Square Piano in Pennsylvania, 1790-1850." Reception and private showing.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26:
10-12noon Paper session I: Zinzen-who?
| Albert Frank (Moravian Archives, Northern Province): "Zinzendorf for Dummies" |
| C. Daniel Crews (Moravian Archives, Southern Province): "Zinzendorf's Hymns: Theology in Song" |
1:30-4: Paper Session II:
| C. Daniel Crews and Nola Knouse (Moravian Music Foundation): "Nothing if Not Consistent: Moravian Ideals, Moravian Music" |
| Christina Ekstrom (University of Gothenburg, Sweden): "What was the Moravian music and liturgy like in Sweden during the 18th century?" |
| Stewart Carter (Wake Forest U.): "Trombone Choirs of the Unitas Fratrum in America." Respondent: Robert Schmalz (Univ. of Louisiana-Lafayette) |
| Peter Vogt (Boston University): "‘LORD GOD! By us be blest’: The Moravian Te Abba in the 1759 Litany Book." |
4:30 Recreation of an historic 18th-century Litany.
8:00 Concert (Foy Hall), Moravian choral and vocal music
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27:
9:30-11:30 Paper Session III:
| Pauline Fox (East Stroudsburg, PA): "Two Moravian Manuscript Books Newly Inventoried" |
| Diane McMullen (Union College): "J.A. Freylinghausens’s Geistreiches Gesangbuch of 1704 and its Influence on Christian Gregor’s Choralbuch of 1784" |
| Trudi Vorp Wright (Bowling Green State U.): "Moravian Hymnody: Transmission and Tradition" |
1-4pm Paper Session IV:
| Laurence Libin (Metropolitan Museum of Art): Pennsylvania, cradle of Piano Making |
| Lecture/recital: German-language songs of Herbst |
| Lecture/recital: Music for Young People in Early Moravian Sources |
| Lecture/recital: Music by Till and Sons |
4:30 Lovefeast.
8:00 Concert, featuring the Ensemble Soleil
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28:
9:30-11 Paper Session V:
| Paul Peucker (Herrnhut Archives): Music Holdings in the Herrnhut Archives |
| Nola Knouse: Issues in Editing Moravian Music |
| Sally Caitlin Park (Columbia University): Making the Accord of Instrument and Style |
11-12noon: Choral Reading session, lead by Paula Zerkle
1:30: Paper Session VI:
| Jewel Smith (U. of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music): "Malthaner Pianos at the Moravian Young Ladies’ Seminary in Antebellum Bethlehem" |
| Michael Cole (Cheltenham, England): Contextualizing the Square Pianos in the Payne Gallery Exhibition |
| 3:00 Lecture/demonstration: Malcolm Bilson (Cornell University): "Do we really know how to read Urtext editions, and what, if anything, do instruments have to do with the question?" |
4:30: Cocktails (cash bar) and dinner at the Sun Inn
8:00: Concert: Malcolm Bilson, fortepianist; joined by the Ensemble Soleil; works by Mozart, Beethoven, CPE Bach. Post-concert Reception, sponsored by the Music Alliance.
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COOK’S CORNER: Super Strawberry Pie
3 quarts fresh strawberries
2/3 C. water
1 1/2 C. sugar
6 T. corn starch
1 10-inch, deep-dish pie shell
red food coloring (optional)
1 C. heavy cream
1 1/2 T. instant vanilla pudding mix
Prepare pie shell according to directions on the package. Cool. Mash enough strawberries to make 3 cups. In a medium saucepan, mix strawberries, sugar, water, and corn starch. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil two minutes, stirring, until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat. Add red food coloring, if desired. Chill, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Add the rest of the strawberries. Mix well. Pour into pie shell. Chill at least two hours.
Beat heavy cream until small peaks start to form. Sprinkle with pudding mix. Beat until stiff. Spread over pie, or put dollops on each slice. (Or use your favorite store-bought whipped cream!)
[Editor’s note: Some stores only sell 9-inch, deep-dish pie shells. These will not hold as much as the 10-inch. Trust me. If you have to substitute, save a few of the strawberries for yourself to nibble while the pie is cooling. Your guests won’t know the difference, but your countertop will!]
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