Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Performance Forum - January 23, 2026, Kade Gordon, Sheng Yuan Kuan, Ian Lewis, Ziling Wang, Hanting Peng, Aidan Quintana, Zion Pe Montebon

Performance Forum

No abstract provided.

Performance Forum - January 16, 2026 (Special Event), Calida Jones

Performance Forum

No abstract provided.

Roger Voisin Memorial Trumpet Competition 2026, Marc Reese, Gerald Karni, Lynn University Philharmonia

Roger Voisin Memorial Trumpet Competition

Founder and Artistic Director

• Marc Reese

Judges

• Mireia Farrés
• Caleb Hudson
• Robert Sullivan

Composer

• Kenneth Frazelle
• Commissioned work: Blue Ridge Airs IV

Pianists

• Sheng-Yuan Kuan
• Lisa Leonard
• Tatiana Lokhina
• Galen Dean Peiskee, Jr.

Competition Schedule

• January 14, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. - Semi-final round
• January 15, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. - Judge's recital
• January 16, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. - Final round and award ceremony

Bridging Traditions: An Exploration Of Orchestral And Contemporary Bass Clarinet Performance Practice, Patrick Burke

Research Theses

This thesis presents a practice-led investigation into bass clarinet performance, examining how orchestral and contemporary traditions may be explored as an integrated artistic practice. Grounded in a reflective, semi-autoethnographic methodology, the research traces the evolution of my performance practice through exploration of repertoire, modes of collaboration and critical reflection. Rather than seeking prescriptive models or definitive outcomes, the study embraces the exploratory nature of artistic research, allowing insights to emerge through practice and experience.

Situated within my ongoing work as a professional clarinettist, the research is informed by active engagement across orchestral, solo, chamber, and collaborative contexts. The thesis demonstrates …

Toward A British Guitar Canon: Ernest Shand’S Collected Works, Declan Hickey

Soundboard Scholar

A review of Guitar Music from Late Victorian England: Collected Works, by Ernest Shand, edited by Stanley Yates (Classical Guitar Study Editions, 2022), publisher's website.

Μmodules: A Low-Cost, Eurorack-Compatible Modular Audio Synthesis System, Nolan K. Juneau

Honors Theses and Capstones

The modular audio synthesizer is one of the fastest-growing industries in contemporary music technology. Unlike a traditional audio synthesizer, a modular synthesizer allows for the user to directly control the signal path and effects of the synthesized sound, allowing for a workflow that is completely customizable to an individual musician and their creative vision. However, the modules and cases currently in production for the common “Eurorack” design standard can be prohibitively expensive to new users, often costing thousands of dollars for even a small system. The µModules project aims to eliminate this financial barrier to modular synthesis by using inexpensive …

Shadows And Stars: How To Bring Student Compositions To Life, Dylan K. Ahrens

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Student composer Dylan Ahrens will present a session titled 'Shadows and Stars: a Symphony for Band,' premiered by the Belmont University Wind Ensemble on April 17, 2026. The composer will provide an analysis of the piece, discuss compositional processes, and outline the experience of learning to conduct one's own work with a collegiate ensemble. This presentation will include audio and video sample of rehearsal and performance, as well as images from the score.

Undergraduate Voice Students’ Understanding Of The Vocalize And Its Purpose, Natalie H. Bazemore

Honors College Theses

This research discusses undergraduate voice students' understanding of vocalizes and their purpose. To discuss this subject, a vocalize has been defined along with its purpose analyzed. By discovering what methods voice teachers are using to prescribe vocalizes tells us how they are educating their singers on developing technical singing skills. This research was collected through a survey conducted in Qualtrics and was shared via social media voice teacher forums and collegiate music settings. This 5-10 minute long survey included participants that are either undergraduate voice students or undergraduate voice teachers. The teachers and students completed different surveys, both asking about …

Artistic Merit In The Wind Band Repertoire: A Critical Analysis Of Jarod Hall’S “Golden Horizons”, Eric Mills

All Master's Theses

The wind band repertoire has long been subject to rigorous scrutiny regarding its artistic legitimacy, and scholars have invested considerable effort in developing frameworks through which that legitimacy can be assessed. The most enduring of these is Acton Ostling's ten criteria of serious artistic merit, formulated in 1978 and tested across nearly half a century of subsequent scholarship. This thesis argues that JaRod Hall's Golden Horizons (2024) satisfies those criteria, through a close analysis of a single contemporary work, and what it reveals about the framework's continued analytical utility.

The methodology combines a review of the scholarship surrounding Ostling's framework, …

List Of Performance Recordings, Danny Gottlieb

Daniel R. Gottlieb Materials

A list of audio and video recordings available on Youtube that feature Danny Gottlieb.

Winter Term Choir Tour To London And Paris, Bryon Black Ii

Music Faculty publications

This program explores the universal longing for home—a place of belonging, safety and peace. Spanning choral traditions from England, France, Estonia, Mexico, South Africa and the United States, the music reflects how hope, faith and shared humanity shape our understanding of where we belong. Across cultures and centuries, these works reveal music’s power to foster connection and community, even far from familiar ground. We hope this program invites listeners to consider home not only as a physical place, but as a space where we are known, connected and held.

Belting In Musical Theatre: Vocal Pathologies, Injuries, And Pedagogical Implications, Kaylee Piatt

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Belting has become one of the most defining and contested vocal styles in contemporary musical theatre. Valued for its dramatic immediacy, speech-like intensity, and ability to cut through amplified orchestration, belting is frequently associated with heightened injury risk and pedagogical controversy. This thesis examines the relationship between belting, vocal pathology, and pedagogy through an interdisciplinary lens that integrates voice science, clinical literature, and professional performance practice. Rather than framing belting as an inherently harmful or stylistically aberrant technique, this study conceptualizes belting as a functional vocal coordination shaped by physiological mechanisms, cumulative vocal load, and occupational demands.

Drawing on existing …

Reimagining The Reduction: A Pianist’S Guide To The Piano Reductions Of Korngold’S Violin Concerto And Vaughan Williams’S Tuba Concerto, Zhongyue Zhang

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Piano reductions are an essential medium through which collaborative pianists work with orchestral concertos. However, many existing reductions, particularly of 20th century works, hinder effective performance in terms of orchestral fidelity and feasibility of execution. The problem is twofold: reductions may contain technically cumbersome passages with diminishing musical returns; they may also omit or misrepresent important orchestral effects and textures. For these problematic situations, this work presents pianistic revisions that aim to preserve essential orchestral sound characteristics. Using the first movements of Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto and Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Tuba Concerto as examples, this work demonstrates a systematic …

Seriosa And The Song Recital Tradition: Reframing The Antologi Musik Klasik Indonesia: Seri I—Vokal Dan Piano (Seriosa), Pharel Silaban

Theses and Dissertations--Music

This project traces the changing life of seriosa, later known as Indonesian art song, from its colonial emergence in the 1930s–1950s to its post-independence expansion and institutional contraction in the 1960s–1980s, and contemporary reframing since the early 2000s. It argues that the genre functioned as a vocal infrastructure that coordinated training, repertoire production, radio broadcast circulation, and public audibility. The study further shows that when the influence of Radio Republik Indonesia weakened, the fragility of this infrastructure became visible. Efforts to sustain the genre by figures such as Rose Pandanwangi, Pranawengrum Katamsi, Catharina Wiriadinata Leimena, and Aning Katamsi appeared …

A Performance Practice Guide To Raleigh Dailey's Sonata For Trumpet And Piano, Kody Jernigan

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Raleigh Dailey is recognized internationally as a jazz pianist, composer, and educator whose compositions span solo works, chamber music, and jazz ensembles. While his music is well known within the jazz community, a significant portion of his catalog remains unknown in the classical performance repertoire. Among these pieces is his Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, a composition that integrates jazz stylistic elements within a classical chamber work.

The purpose of this project is to conduct primary-source research on Dailey’s Sonata for Trumpet and Piano in order to create a comprehensive performance guide for trumpet players. This is accomplished through interviews …

A Conductor's Guide To All-State Orchestra: An Overview Of Repertoire And Best Practices, Nicoletta Moss

Theses and Dissertations--Music

For over one-hundred years, all-state orchestras have served as the premier gatherings of high school musicians across the United States. These short-term events offer intensive ensemble experiences that bring together students from diverse musical and social backgrounds. While conductors play a central role in shaping these experiences, research is limited examining the areas of repertoire programming, pedagogical practices, and other logistical considerations associated with all-state orchestra leadership. In this dissertation, I address these gaps and develop a comprehensive resource for current and future all-state conductors. The present study employs a two-study design: 1) a content analysis of repertoire performed between …

A Technical And Performance Re-Examination Of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’S Escarramán, Op. 177: Beyond The Angelo Gilardino Publication. A New Performance Edition Of Gallarda, Daniel Monroy Reyes

Theses and Dissertations--Music

This dissertation provides a technical and performance-oriented re-examination of the first four movements of Escarramán: A Suite of Spanish Dances from the XVIth Century (After Cervantes), Op. 177, by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. It argues that the suite embodies a fundamental tension between the composer’s original compositional and structural intentions and the ergonomic limitations of the guitar, and evaluates the proposed solutions by Angelo Gilardino in the 1979 Bèrben edition.

This research employs a comparative, practice-led framework to address the paradox of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s non-idiomatic writing. Its primary contribution is the development of a performance synthesis that maintains harmonic integrity while enhancing …

Cantate Fratres: Forming And Sustaining Traditional Catholic Music, Liturgy And Culture In The Institute Of Christ The King Sovereign Priest, Reyers P. Brusoe

Theses and Dissertations--Music

The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is an understudied member of the Traditional Catholic and Latin Mass Communities whose unique approach to Catholic liturgy, culture, and formation offers a sustainable model for the Catholic Church's longevity and renewal. This study is the first of its kind, combining the theoretical positions of affect theory, ecomusicology/musical sustainability, and the musicology of religion to explore and explain the success of this growing classical community. This dissertation examines Church documents, theological literature, and multidisciplinary academic sources as a foundation for the study.             In studying the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, …

Expanding The Canon: A Pedagogical Anthology Of German-Language Musical Theatre Repertoire For The Soprano Voice, Fairynne R. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations--Music

This dissertation proposes the development of the first pedagogically grounded anthology of German‑language musical theatre repertoire curated specifically for the soprano voice, addressing a significant gap in collegiate vocal performance training. Existing anthologies, particularly the Hal Leonard Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology series, remain dominated by English‑language works, limiting opportunities for singers to build linguistic proficiency, stylistic versatility, and cross‑cultural engagement. German‑language musical theatre, however, represents a sustained vernacular tradition that “prioritizes narrative immediacy and text-driven musical expression distinct from Anglo-American models,” yet it remains largely absent from pedagogical resources. The project assembles twenty‑five selections originally composed in German and excludes …

Embracing Versatility: A Guide To Preparing Undergraduate Saxophonists For The Modern Job Market, James B. O'Donnell

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Instrumentalists who enter their undergraduate degrees in music performance often spend most of their degree focusing on their primary instrument with the hope of finding a career in their chosen discipline. However, a review of current job vacancies (university positions, military bands, and pit orchestras) show that saxophonists are often expected to have ample experience in not only jazz and classical saxophone performance, but also a working knowledge of multiple woodwinds (flute, clarinet, and occasionally double reeds) to be competitive for work. This reality can be daunting for students who enter their undergraduate program with only a basic knowledge of …

The Essence Of The Heart: Layered Human Experience In Eva Jessye’S My Spirituals, Jessica Brunet

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Much of the spiritual repertory has been transcribed as documentation of purely melodic and lyrical content, and many songs have been arranged by some of the greatest figures in twentieth- and twenty-first century music history, including Harry T. Burleigh, Hall Johnson, Margaret Bonds, and Jacqueline B. Hairston. On this roster of luminaries is Dr. Eva Jessye (1895-1992).

If Eva Jessye is remembered at all, it is typically in the context of her role as choral director for the original production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (1935). Among a litany of other accomplishments, however, Dr. Jessye also published a collection of …

Stanislavski And Operatic Acting: What Caused The Divide Between Stanislavski’S Ideals And The Opera World?, Max Smith

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

There is a difference between the realism of acting in opera and in other theatrical art forms. One reason for this might be due to theatre practitioner Konstantin Stanislavski’s ideals not being readily adopted in the opera world. Due to translation and publication issues in both the West and in the USSR, his work on opera has been largely neglected by theatre and opera historians. Certain demands of opera as an art form limit or make more difficult the ability for realism in portraying a character, but Stanislavski and others show that it is possible. A look at literature reflecting …

What Musical Meaning Does Conducting Gesture Convey, Jacob Benson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research proposal explores the meaning behind conducting gestures and their impact on musicians' interpretations of a piece. The project aims to determine whether individuals, regardless of their musical background, can watch a silent conducting video and infer musical intent based on gestures alone. Inspired by conducting studies, particularly those by Dr. Brian A. Silvey, the researcher will investigate how different conducting styles influence perception and ensemble response. The methodology involves recording a professional conductor during rehearsal and then showing the footage to participants from various skill levels, including undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty members. Participants verbalize …

Beyond The Book: Charting New Progressions Through Improvisational Experience In Higher Education Jazz Performance Programs, Jacob L. Manny

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Jazz improvisation is a historically rich and culturally relevant art form that is also an underutilized pedagogy in higher education music performance programs (HEMPPs). Previous research has extensively unmasked the relationship of creative, social, and cognitive benefits of improvisational learning. Yet, postsecondary institutions continually rely upon Western European colonialist practices through the isolation of music history, music theory, piano, and compositioncourses. This disconnect results in curricular designs that fail to recognize the importance of experiential learning. In this qualitative inquiry semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants who perform and educate globally. Participant stories unearthed not …

Analytical Commentary And Performer's Guide To Carlos R. Martinez's Four Pieces For Trombone, Bailey Jean Hardy-Price

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Musicians with hearing loss are documented in prominent figures, such as Ludwig van Beethoven. In the age of developing medical technology, hearing aids can turn the course for many musicians. Music can serve as an audio medium for this journey.

Carlos R. Martinez (b. 1978) is an active composer and pianist commissioned to create a piece that explores the journey of hearing loss in a musician. Martinez’s Four Pieces for Trombone and Piano illustrate a musician’s discovery of their hearing loss, its consequences, and joy in implementing the use of a hearing aid. The detailed discussion of the composer and …

Behind The Curtain: A Literature Review Of Personal And Ecological Risk Factors And Current Multi-Level Interventions For Performing Artists, Christopher A. Robles

Social Work Theses

Performing artists experience psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, burnout, and substance use disorders, at rates significantly exceeding those of the general population. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) and the Person-in-Environment (PIE) perspective, this structured literature review synthesizes research published between 2010 and 2026 to examine individual personality traits, environmental stressors across meso- and macro-systems, and existing multi-level mental health interventions for performing artists. Findings reveal that while traits such as high openness to experience, sensory processing sensitivity, and perfectionism foster artistic expression, they also heighten vulnerability to occupational stressors, financial precarity, social isolation, and venue-based substance exposure. Current …

A Guide To The Style Of Domenico Scarlatti With An Analysis Of Six Sonatas, Joseph Mcdermott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This document aims to inform pianists preparing to perform keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757). Readers will learn about Scarlatti's professional life and his compositional characteristics. Analyses of six sonatas, the influence of Spanish traditional music, and details on performance practices are used to illustrate his style. The six sonatas included in this study are Sonata in G Major, K. 63; Sonata in C minor, K. 22; Sonata in F minor, K. 238; Sonata in F minor, K. 239; Sonata in D Major, K. 490; and Sonata in D Major, K. 491. The influence of Spanish traditional music is discussed …

Women In Music: Experiences Of Women Oboists In Us Symphony Orchestras, Brianna Corgel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The evolution of women in American music has been a gradual and ongoing process. Historically, women were largely excluded from public musical life and did not achieve widespread acceptance as professional musicians until the 20^th century, largely due to prevailing cultural and societal expectations. In the 19^th century, women typically performed in domestic settings for small gatherings of family and friends. Female instrumentalists were generally limited to the piano and a few string instruments, while wind instruments—such as the oboe—were discouraged because they were considered unladylike or visually unappealing when played. The 20^th century saw the emergence …

A Survey Of Disability-Inclusive K-12 Public School Music Programs In The United States Where Best Buddies Friendship Programs Have Been Established, Geena Louise Jeffries Mattox

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the presence and structural characteristics of disability-inclusive band, orchestra, and choir programs serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) in K-12 public schools across the United States that implement the Best Buddies School Friendship Program. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is defined as group of chronic, lifelong conditions that originate before age 22, affecting physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. Despite federal legislation, peer reviewed scholarship specifically addressing access to performance-based music ensembles for students with IDDs remain comparatively limited. Employing a survey distributed nationwide within a defined population of schools implementing Best Buddies Programs, administered via …

Formation-Based Analysis In Contemporary Saxophone Practice: A Case Study Of Ziwei Shi's The Blue Lotus Bloms, Jiageng Ren

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examines contemporary saxophone repertoire through a formation-based analytical approach, using Ziwei Shi’s The Blue Lotus Blooms as a case study. It is organized into three parts. Part I establishes the conceptual and methodological framework by introducing the concept of “formation-based analysis,” positioning the “condition of musical formation” as its core. Further situating the study within scholarship on practice-based research, cross-cultural theory, and modernism/postmodernism. Part II provides a detailed analytical and performance-based investigation of the work, including the collaborative commissioning process, the application of Thaat as a pitch resource, the role of extended techniques and embodied endurance, and contrasting …