Music Commons^™

The Maturation Of Pulse: The Rhythmic Evolution From Swing To Bebop, Sam Weber

Masters Theses

The musical style that came to prominence in US in the 1940s, known as bebop, is a style that is remembered and discussed in terms of its harmonic characteristics and its notable soloists. This is the view that is taken in most scholarly writing on the music and also the view that is taught to most students of jazz today. However, there is arguably an equally if not more profound evolution in the rhythmic language of this music which is almost totally un-discussed. By digitally analyzing recordings, tracing musical and personal influence, and by examining related technological developments, it becomes …

All I Am: Defining Music As An Emotional Catalyst Through A Sociological Study Of Emotions, Gender And Culture, Adrienne M. Trier-Bieniek

Dissertations

This dissertation, "'All I Am': Defining Music as an Emotional Catalyst through a Sociological Study of Emotions, Gender and Culture", is based in the sociology of emotions, gender and culture and guided by symbolic interactionist and feminist standpoint theory. A primary focus is on understanding the emotional and empowering relationships women build with music that is written and performed by women, especially if they are using the music for emotional support or as a means to heal themselves. This study examines the cultural, emotional and gendered role music plays in day-to-day social life using data collected during forty-two semi-structured interviews …

Nelson Oliva Chamborro, Drumset, Nelson Oliva Chamborro

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• NELSON OLIVA CHAMORRO, Drumset
• assisted by Ben Schmidt-Swartz, Saxophone Jon Ailabouni, Trumpet Mark Niskanen, Piano Andrew Rose, Bass

Nelson Oliva Chamorro is a graduate student from Santiago, CHILE, majoring in performance. He studies with Professor Keith Hall.

Pieter Crathorne, Piano, Pieter Crathorne

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• PIETER CRATHORNE, Piano

Pieter Crathorne, from Cape Town, South Africa, is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Stellenbosch. He studies with Lori Sims.

Ars Musice, Johannes De Grocheio, Constant J. Mews, John N. Crossley, Catherine Jeffreys, Leigh Mckinnon, Carol J. Williams

TEAMS Varia

Ars musice, composed in Paris during the late thirteenth century, reflects Johannes de Grocheio's awareness of the complexity of the task of describing music. As the editors note in their introduction, "Grocheio is aware of the enormous range of types of music performed in different ways in different places. How can he impose order on this enormous subject matter? He decided to resolve this question by structuring his discussion around the practice of music that he observed in the city of Paris, organized into three main 'branches': music of the people (musica vulgalis), composite or regular, 'which they call measured …

Kevin Volans' She Who Sleeps Witha Small Blanket: An Examination Of The Intentions, Reactions, Musical Influences, And Idiomatic Implications, Peter D. Breithaupt

Masters Theses

Using and expanding upon a theoretical model for examining the meaning of music presented by ethnomusicologist Timothy Taylor, one of the leading scholars on composer Kevin Volans and his music, this research will attempt to properly position Volans' percussion solo, She Who Sleeps witha Small Blanket, composed in 1985, within Volans' African Paraphrase classification. It will also attempt to dissociate She Who Sleeps from the claims of hegemonic cultural appropriation that are attached to Volans' African Paraphrase pieces. In his model, Taylor talks about the "inseparable metatext" that surrounds a piece of music and includes the composer's intentions, the listener's …

Jason V. Fritz, Jason V. Fritz

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• JASON V. FRITZ, Conductor
• assisted by the UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC BAND

Jason V. Fritz is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in conducting. He received his bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University.

Chara J. S. Karsten, Chara J.S. Karsten

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• CHARA J. S. KARSTEN, Trumpet
• Helen Lukan, Piano
• assisted by JEWEL TONE BRASS Ross Wixon, Trumpet Alex Armstead, Horn Caitlin Miekstyn, Trombone Brielan Andersen, Tuba

Chara Karsten is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from Calvin College.

Diane Kessel, Flute, Diane Kessel

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• DIANE KESSEL, Flute
• Carl Witt, Piano
• assisted by Dannielle Sturgeon, Flute

Diane Kessel is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Ayako Nakamura, Trumpet, Ayako Nakamura

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• AYAKO NAKAMURA, Trumpet
• Helen Lukan, Piano
• with Peter Breithaupt, Marimba and Vibraphone

Ayako Nakamura is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from California State University at Chico.

Will Karsten, Tuba, Will Karsten

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• WILL KARSTEN, Tuba
• Helen Lukan, Piano
• assisted by the GRADUATE BRASS QUINTET Ayako Nakamura, Trumpet Ross Wixon, Trumpet Bob Lewis, Horn Nate Musch, Trombone

Will Karsten is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from Calvin College.

Craig Freeman, Bass Trombone, Craig Freeman

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• CRAIG FREEMAN, Bass Trombone
• Helen Lukan, Piano
• assisted by Eric Bowman, Trombone Hana Beloglavec, Trombone Nate Musch, Trombone Steve Wolfinbarger, Conductor

Craig Freeman is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University.

Incomplete (Six), Joshua Burel

Masters Theses

Incomplete (six) is comprised of six short movements written for full orchestra. Each movement depicts a different idea as it relates to the number six. In biblical numerology the number six represents incompletion and shortcoming while seven signifies completeness and fulfillment. Six therefore cannot be complete without the addition of one to make seven. The number six is commonly used to represent man since he was created on the sixth day of creation while the number one represents God as the one true God. The numbers six and one work together to identify the reality that man is only made …

Bob Lewis, Horn, Bob Lewis

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• BOB LEWIS, Horn
• Helen Lukan, Piano
• assisted by the GRADUATE BRASS QUINTET Ayako Nakamura, Trumpet Ross Wixon, Trumpet Nathan Musch, Trombone Will Karsten, Tuba

Bob Lewis is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

Yiwen Li, Piano, Yiwen Li

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• YIWEN LI, Piano

Yiwen Li is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from Capital Normal University, China.

Jordan Even, Piano, Jordan Even

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• JORDAN EVEN, Piano

Jordan Even is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University.

Bethany Erhardt, Cello, Bethany Erhardt

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• BETHANY ERHARDT, Cello
• Tina Gorter, Piano

Bethany Erhardt is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.

The Perfect Pitch 2011, Wmu School Of Music

School of Music News

The Perfect Pitch 2011:

• Letter from the Director
• What’s New?
• Welcome New Faculty Members
• The World Comes to the School of Music
• WMU Music in the National Spotlight
• Music Staff Lead the Way
• Fruits of Collaboration
• Student Achievements
• Alumni News
• Faculty Achievements
• Honor Roll
• Faculty and Staff

Jonathan Thornton, Piano, Jonathan Thornton

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• JONATHAN THORNTON, Piano

Jonathan Thornton is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College.

Student Recital, Erin Yanacek

Honors Theses

Trumpet performance. Includes program notes with descriptions of performed pieces and flyers.

Strange Bedfellows: The Trumpet Finds New Partners, Erin Yanacek

Honors Theses

Musically and technically, it was challenging to partner with "strange bedfellows," or instruments that the trumpet would not usually play with in chamber music. While the trumpet is generally used as a militaristic and loud instrument, these pieces demonstrate that the trumpet can also provide a lyrical and melodic voice, thereby operating beyond its traditional roles. Also, no matter how peculiar the instrumentation of a piece happens to be, we as musicians must learn to blend our sounds and match one another stylistically to make music together.

Molly Petrik, Piano, Molly Petrik

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• MOLLY PETRIK, Piano

Molly Petrik is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana.

Monica B. Washington, Piano, Monica B. Washington

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• MONICA B. WASHINGTON, Piano

Monica B. Washington is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University.

Yanyan Shi, Violin, Yanyan Shi

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• YANYAN SHI, Violin
• Molly Petrik and Susan Wiersma Uchimura, Piano

Yanyan Shi, a KSO/WMU Artist Scholar, is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from Renmin University of China.

Jamilyn Beckstrom, Cello, Jamilyn Beckstrom

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• JAMILYN BECKSTROM, Cello
• Susan Wiersma Uchimura, Piano

Jamilyn Beckstrom is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University.

Evan Dorner, Bass Trombone, Evan Dorner

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• EVAN DORNER, Bass
• Trombone Tina Gorter, Piano

Evan Dorner is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.

Ruan Van Dorsten, Viola, Ruan Van Dorsten

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• RUAN VAN DORSTEN, Viola
• Gunta Laukmane and Monica Washington, Piano

Ruan van Dorsten is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Africa.

Martez L. Rucker, Vocals And Piano, Martez L. Rucker

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• MARTEZ L. RUCKER, Vocals and Piano
• assisted by Patrick Laslie, Mark Jackson, Taylor O’Donnell, Ashley Kirby, and Christy Ledden, Vocals Randy Gist, Saxophone Dave Hay, Piano Sam Weber, Bass Ryan Andrews, Drums

Martez L. Rucker is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance–jazz. He received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia College Chicago.

Masako Watanabe, Trumpet, Masako Watanabe

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• MASAKO WATANABE, Trumpet
• Tina Gorter, Piano
• assisted by Chara Karsten, Trumpet Megan DeRubeis, Horn Jeremy Marks, Trombone William Karsten, Tuba

Masako Watanabe is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in performance. She received her bachelor’s degree from the Musashino Music Academy (Tokyo, Japan).

Timothy Croft, Double Bass, Timothy Croft

School of Music Graduate Recitals

• TIMOTHY CROFT, Double Bass
• assisted by Ashley Kirby, Vocals Patrick Laslie, Alto and Tenor Saxophones Matt Landon, Guitar Ashley Ickes, Drums

Timothy Croft is a candidate for the Master of Music degree majoring in jazz–performance. He received his bachelor’s degree from Thompson Rivers University (BC, Canada).