Digital Commons Network^™

The Second Frontier, A Senior Recital, Jasanna Tayler

Honors Theses

The senior recital, The Second Frontier, and honors thesis defense of Jasanna Tayler, Soprano, occurred on Friday, April 14th, 2023. The recital was completed in collaboration with pianist, Cindy Hunter. Selections sung for this recital which incorporated 5 different languages and spanning 4 compositional periods with contrasting pieces including operatic literature and art song. This successfully fulfilled the requirements set forth in the Western Michigan University, voice area handbook. The overarching goal for the recital was to demonstrate the culmination of knowledge gained through attending the Irving School of Music. The musical selections furthered this as they were challenging while …

In The Moment, Laura Korn

Honors Theses

The title “In the Moment” came to be because I wanted to name my recital after something that has felt important to me over the past four years. When I was trying to think of a common thread through all of the most significant experiences I’ve had in what seemed like a college experience full of challenges, growth, and surprises around every corner, I took note that for every one of those experiences, I had been living completely “in the moment.” I had no fear of what was to come, no regret for anything that had come before... I was …

Senior Recital: Medicine, Grace Betzold

Honors Theses

No abstract available.

Candace Mcmurray Senior Jazz Voice Recital, Candace Mcmurray

Honors Theses

This senior jazz voice recital is aimed to convey the artistry that has blossomed from studying jazz music as a vocalist. The repertoire included in this recital spans music written as early as 1923 and as late as 2017 encompassing a wide variety of jazz styles to reflect all the different jazz eras as well as how other genres in those times have influenced those compositions. The recital includes ten songs with a variety of instrumentation that are aligned with the jazz idiom. Some songs include a typical jazz combo of voice, piano, guitar, bass, and drums while others also …

Stories In Song, Lauren Kowal

Honors Theses

Accompanying her senior recital performance, Stories in Song, Kowal writes a form of extended program notes and analysis in which she relates each piece of music to their original storytelling form. She compares the intention of the composer in their retelling of these famous stories, or how the stories were adapted to music, and to how best portray the stories in their performance.

Engaging With The Score: Wadada Leo Smith, Graphic Notation, And The Performer’S Perspective, Kennedy Taylor Dixon

Masters Theses

As a Composer/Performer, my work exists in both realms. This thesis reflects the principle that my experience as a violist influences my compositional process and vice versa. Since identifying under both artistic skill sets, it has become evident that the two areas that exist as a creative and presentational output, thrive off one another’s success.

In June 2019, I had the chance to play Wadada Leo Smith’s String Quartet No. 3: Black Church, The First World Gathering of the Spirit (1995) at the Nief-Norf Summer Festival. This encounter was the first time I interacted with graphically notated scores as a …

Musical Theatre Showcase: A Performance Journey And Reflection, Alyssa Zamora

Honors Theses

For her senior musical theatre showcase, Alyssa Zamora attended and in person showcase with agents and theatre professionals in Detroit. Later, she recorded videos of her performing “Thrills” by Donna Missal and “I Want Them...” by Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler. In addition to videos of her performance, she reflects on her growth in her time as a student at Western Michigan University and looks at how she has grown as an artist and how her showcase experience set her up for success in the professional theatre industry.

Senior Recital, Kenneth Kressin

Honors Theses

Kenny Kressin started to study the cello in 2001 at the age of four with Patty Hicks in Orange, California. Kenny spent about 11 years studying the Suzuki method under Ms. Hicks until he switched cello teachers when he started to attend Orange County High School of the Arts. Starting in 2012, Kenny studied under Laszlo Mezo in Irvine, California. Throughout the years, Kenny has grown as a soloist, orchestral musician, and chamber musician. As an orchestral musician, he has been a part of the Orange County School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings Orchestra. …

Bridging The Gap: An Academic Recital For Solo Voice Featuring The Music Of Underrepresented Female Composers Throughout History, Keiley Vieau

Honors Theses

Keiley Vieau, mezzo-soprano, presented her honors thesis senior academic voice recital on Friday, April 19th, 2019 at 3pm. The performance took place at the Lee Honors College in the lounge. This recital was put on in collaboration with pianist Molly Sanford. Music performed included works by all female composers, such as Barbara Strozzi, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Nadia Boulanger, Augusta Holmès, Liza Lehmann, and Amy Beach. This abstract will provide a brief overview of the theme of this recital as well as address the basic musical characteristics of certain pieces from the repertoire programmed.

The recital was based solely …

Katie Short's Senior Voice Recital, Katherine Short

Honors Theses

For my honors thesis, I used my Senior Voice Recital. When starting the process, I met with my thesis chair, Dr. Karen Kness to discuss which repertoire I wanted to perform for the recital. We focused on picking song selections ranging from the Baroque musical era to the mid- 1900s. As part of my requirement, I needed to select at least thirty-five minutes of music to present and this music needed to be in at least five different languages. Half of my repertoire was selected from my previous semester of Applied Voice lessons and the other half I learned over …

Senior Viola Recital, Kennedy Dixon

Honors Theses

Coming to the end of my Viola Performance Degree at WMU was a milestone that I have been looking forward to since stepping foot on campus, yet a moment that felt so far away. Preparing for my Senior Viola Recital/Honors Thesis was one of the most exciting, difficult, and overall most rewarding experiences that I will never forget. I’ve had the honor of knowing my currently Viola Professor/Thesis chair since my Freshmen Year of Highschool, where I attend a summer music camp here at WMU, and I can say that I have learned so much about music, responsibility, courage, and …

Senior Recital, Brody Roland

Honors Theses

No abstract available.

A Performance Of Classical Trombone, Benjamin Hahn

Honors Theses

No abstract available

Lori Sims, Piano 04/14, College Of Fine Arts

School of Music Faculty Recitals

Faculty Recital

Lori Sims, Piano

Sunday April 14, 2019

540th Concert

Voice Faculty Showcase 04/03, College Of Fine Arts

School of Music Faculty Recitals

Dalton Wed@7:30pm: Live and Interactive

April 3, 2019

Pre-Concert talk with Dr. Robert White at 7 p.m.

Voice Faculty Showcase

Karen Kness, Soprano

Rhea Olivacce, Soprano

Elizabeth Stoner, Soprano

Ken Prewitt, Tenor

Carl Ratner, Baritone

Gunta Laukmane, Piano

Georgiy Borisov, Clarinet 12/2, College Of Fine Arts

School of Music Faculty Recitals

• Georgiy Borisov, Clarinet
• with Negar Afazel, Viloin and Chris Gray, Piano
• featuring Igor Cetkovic, Cello

Senior Recital, Jaron Kirshenbaum

Honors Theses

This recital, although it featured works learned over the last six months, is really a culmination of all the work I have put in over the last three and a half years here at the Western Michigan University School of Music. It is a program that brought together friends and colleagues, and featured solo works that show just how far I have come since I arrived here as a freshman clarinet player in the Fall of 2015. Although the diverse music selection and the decision to do mainly single movements from larger works is not what you would typically see …

Implications Of Theory Of Mind, Feelings Of Connectedness, Flow State Of Mind Through Active And Passive Music Improvisation Experiences, Jessica Kociba

Honors Theses

This study is an introduction examining the relationship between a performer and the audience in a musical improvisation context. Current research exploring performer-audience interaction in improvisation experiences is scant and typically framed in a purely narrative context. This study seeks to evaluate four different components of the performer and audience relationship; amount, or level, of experience with improvisation and comfort levels, flow, theory of mind, and emotional connection. A survey was generated and given to students in an improvisation class to collect results based on these four components. This study found that improvisation experience levels were low but comfort with …

A Four Year Moment, Hannah Truckenbrod

Honors Theses

A senior recital can prove to be a daunting task, due to the overwhelming and irrational feeling that it must perfectly represent oneself as their fullest and truest artistic selves. I wanted to explore how I could balance this need for personal representation while simultaneously keeping a level head about professionally producing a recital and preserving my physical and mental health and wellness in the process. The first thing I set out to do when beginning this capstone project was figuring out what was important to me about music, and the study of music. It was imperative that I represent …

Carl Ratner, Baritone, 9/17, College Of Fine Arts

School of Music Faculty Recitals

• CARL RATNER, Baritone
• with Rhea Olivaccé, Soprano Meredith Arwady, Contralto Barry Ross, Violin Jane Kenas, Piano John Griffin, Piano Yu-Lien The, Piano

Williams Syndrome And Music: A Systematic Integrative Review, Donovon Thakur

Masters Theses

Researchers and clinicians have often cited the curious relationship between individuals with Williams syndrome and music. This review aimed to systematically identify, analyze, and synthesize research and findings related to Williams syndrome and music. Thirty-one articles were identified that examined this relationship and were divided into seven areas by their findings. This process covered a diverse array of methodologies, with aims to: 1) report current findings; 2) assess methodological quality; and 3) discuss the potential implications and considerations for the clinical use of music with this population. Collecting and analyzing available research on the relationship between Williams syndrome and music …

The Effectiveness Of Music Therapy To Reduce Agitation Among Persons With Alzheimer’S Disease, Caroline Mazon

Honors Theses

According to the Alzheimer’s Association (2016), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is diagnosed every 66 seconds resulting in this disease being the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States. Among other signs and symptoms, agitation is one of the most challenging symptoms that patients and caregivers must try to control using nonpharmacological therapies or prescribed pharmacological treatments. Among many professions, music therapy has been used to specifically lower the levels of agitation in AD patients. Live music, “sing a long’s”, using instruments, and listening to a song of the patients’ choice have all been shown to reduce agitation behaviors …

Lori Sims, Piano, 3/23, College Of Fine Arts

School of Music Faculty Recitals

• LORI SIMS, Piano

Carl Ratner, Baritone & Lori Sims, Piano, 11/14, College Of Fine Arts

School of Music Faculty Recitals

• CARL RATNER, Baritone
• LORI SIMS, Piano

Jeremy Siskind, Piano, 10/14, College Of Fine Arts

School of Music Faculty Recitals

• JEREMY SISKIND, Piano

Musical Pop-Ups: Performances In Unexpected Places For National Poetry Month, 2015, Michael J. Duffy Iv

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Presentations

Three faculty librarians, the communication coordinator, and the metadata and digital resources coordinator of the Western Michigan University Libraries arranged events for the celebration, including instrumental and vocal music performances. We aimed to include as many performers from as many units on campus as we could in order to increase the University Libraries’ visibility, and to make diverse campus units aware of the kinds of performances done in other parts of the University.

The musical performances were mostly informal performances that took place in unexpected venues, or what we called “pop-up” events, but we had a formal, concert-style musical performance …

Joe Busuito, Conductor, Joe Busuito

School of Music Graduate Recitals

JOE BUSUITO, Conductor with the University Symphonic Band.

Joe Busuito is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in conducting, studying with Dr. Scott Boerma. Joe received his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University.

Dana Fall, Piano, Dana Fall

School of Music Graduate Recitals

DANA FALL, Piano

Dana Fall is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance, studying with Prof. Lori Sims. Dana received her bachelor’s degree from Cornerstone University.

Robert Medd, Trombone, Robert Medd

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• ROBERT MEDD, Trombone
• Helen Lukan, Piano
• assisted by James Yuhas, Trumpet Jennifer Kempe, Horn

Robert Medd is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance, studying with Dr. Steve Wolfinbarger. Robert received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa.

Carmen Ritchie, Flute, Carmen Ritchie

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• CARMEN RITCHIE, Flute
• Helen Lukan, Piano
• assisted by Maria Vallejo, Flute

Carmen Ritchie is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance, studying with Dr. Martha Councell-Vargas. Carmen received her bachelor’s degree from Bethel College.