The Show Must Go On! Dickinson College Unveils New Concert Channel
Photo by Carl Socolow '77.
Stay tuned for Dickinson livestream and recorded events
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:
- Sunday, Oct. 11, 4 p.m. – Faculty Lecture and Flute Recital: Brittany Trotter
Trotter, a contributing faculty member in flute, will present a lecture on the flute music of flutist-composer Valerie Coleman and a performance of two contemporary works. Trotter’s research analyzes seminal flute works by one of the leading contemporary American composers of chamber music and investigates the transformation of narrative poems by Fred D'Aguiar and Maya Angelou into Coleman's unique music voice. She also will perform Jennifer Higdon's rapidfire for solo flute and Evan William's if/else for flute and interactive electronic. This performance showcases the visceral range of the flute in modern contemporary music. It will culminate in a discussion of how to prepare music requiring extended technique and electro-acoustic electronics. - Sunday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m. – The Joy of Singing Italian Opera
This month’s concert highlights Italian opera with performances by faculty musicians James Martin and Gregory Strohman and commentary by Amy Wlodarski (music history) and Luca Trazzi (Italian/food studies). - Sunday, Nov. 15, 4 p.m. – Senior Violin Recital: Max Jacobs ’21
- Friday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. – Dickinson Choir with Dance Theatre Group (DTG)
- Sunday, November 29, 4 p.m. – The Joy of Singing: Black Music of the Harlem Renaissance
Presented by Lynn Johnson, associate professor of Africana studies. - Sunday, December 6, 4 p.m. – The Joy of Singing: French Melodie
With Megan Conlon Sarno ’09. - TBD- Virtual Jazz/Orchestra concert
Check the events calendar and arts page for more details, as they are available, about upcoming YouTube events.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published September 8, 2020