Photo by Carl Socolow '77.
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
Kira Ousey ’21 was all set to present her junior recital last March when the global pandemic threw a wrench into the works. One hundred and seventy days later, she presented the recital virtually through the music department's new YouTube channel for concerts, recitals and other department performances.
Ousey, a double major in music performance and English and member of the jazz band, orchestra, chamber ensemble, Mermaid Players and SLCE, opened the season accompanied by Eun Ae Baik-Kim, instructor in piano, safely recorded the concert behind plexiglass shields in Rubendall Recital Hall for presentation on YouTube Sept. 13.
“It’s funny, because last spring, I was so nervous about it being ready on time, and then I ended up having to wait almost six extra months,” Ousey says. “I was very excited to share what I’ve been working on, and then get started on my senior recital in the spring.”
Other highlights of the fall concert season include ensemble performances by jazz and orchestra musicians, a collaborative presentation by the College Choir and Dance Theatre Group (DTG). The multidisciplinary “Joy of Singing” virtual concert series, bringing together musicians and experts in languages and cultural studies, debuts on Oct. 25 with a YouTube event celebrating Italian opera. Alumna vocalist Megan Conlon Sarno ’09 returns to Dickinson audiences on Dec. 6.
While the virtual concerts bring the Dickinson community together to enjoy the power of music and support student musicians, they also fulfill a critical part of performing-arts education, says Jennifer Blyth, professor of music and current department chair.
"Performance is an integral aspect of music education and a degree requirement for music majors,” Blyth explains. “We needed to figure out a platform that was accessible to everyone and that provides a way for students to get that practical experience and share their music performance with the Dickinson community.”
Here is a sampling of upcoming music-department YouTube events:
Check the events calendar and arts page for more details, as they are available, about upcoming YouTube events.
Published September 8, 2020