Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Music Department Faculty and Staff, wishes everyone a Very Merry Christmas.

As the Christmas office prepares to close for Christmas break, we, the faculty, staff, and students, want to pause and wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We want to thank everyone for your support and prayers. You are a vital part of what we do. Remember to continue to check our blog for all news and upcoming events, both on and off campus. The office will re-open on January 4th to begin an exciting Spring semester. Until then, we would like to leave you with this Christmas Blessing:

During this Christmas season, 

May you be blessed 

With the spirit of the season, 

Which is peace, 

The gladness of the season, 

Which is hope, 

And the heart of the season, 

Which is love. 

Somehow, not only for Christmas 

But all the long year through, 

The joy that you give to others

Is the joy that comes back to you. 

And the more you spend in blessing 

The poor and lonely and sad, 

The more of your Heart’s possessing 

Returns to you glad. 

                                                                          ~John Greenleaf Whittier

Faculty and Staff Gathered for a Christmas Party 



Christmas Card to the Community

“Joy Has Dawned” was the theme for this year’s Christmas Card to the Community. On December 13^th, the Branson area community gathered to celebrate the birth of Christ with traditional hymns, carols, and scripture readings. The participating ensembles—the Orchestra, Chapel Choir, Chorale, the Handbell Choir, and Lower School Honor Choir—collaborated to create a truly exceptional concert. Senior C of O student James Zeller, a member of Chorale, said “Singing with such a large ensemble and singing songs with such a rich Christian tradition gave me a great sense of joy, worship, and unity with the body of Christ.”  The Orchestra opened with the prelude “A Christmas Festival,” and after a welcome from President Jerry Davis, the congregation sang “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Chapel Choir, under the direction of Dr. Cornish and with soloist Emily Rector, sang “Mary, Did You Know?” and “What Child is This?” The Handbell Choir performed “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and “In the Bleak Midwinter.” The School of the Ozarks students sang “Alleluia Medley.” Chorale, conducted by Dr. Gerlach, followed with “Sir Christemas” and “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.” The combined choirs and a soloist Elizabeth Stuart sang “O Holy Night,” which was followed with the candlelit congregational hymn “Silent Night.” The combined choirs and orchestra ended the ceremony with a stirring rendition of Handel’s “Hallelujah” Chorus. The concert was, as Dr. Cornish said, “…a beautiful and worshipful service. Each ensemble’s contribution to the evening combined to create something truly special.”

The College of the Ozarks Chamber Orchestra 

Dr. Powers directing the Orchestra during the prelude

  

The College of the Ozarks Chorale Choir

Dr. Cornish led the choirs and congregation together in worship.

Dr. Gerlach directed the combined choirs and orchestra

Combined Choirs: The College of the Ozarks Chapel Choir and The Chorale Choir

Josh Pruitt's Senior Recital

On Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 PM, percussionist Josh Pruitt performed his senior recital. Josh performed a diverse and eclectic selection of pieces on a wide variety of percussion instruments. The program began with Josh’s own composition, “Life of a Secret Agent,” an upbeat jazz ensemble piece. Seven students joined Josh to create an ensemble including timpani, shaker, tambourine, and bass guitar, and featuring Ryan Moore, Maria Gramm, and Chris White on mallet percussion instruments. Josh took center stage on the drum set for this piece. The audience thoroughly enjoyed his opening number. Josh followed this with “Arithmetic,” a multi-percussion solo by Milton Kaye, and “Eyes Right,” a snare drum solo by Fred Hoey. Following an intermission, Josh commenced his recital with two movements of a playful marimba piece by Alice Gomez entitled Scenes from Mexico. Two pieces by Mitchell Peters followed: “Tribal Serenade,” a timpani solo, and “Sea Refractions,” a mesmerizing marimba solo. Josh’s sense of humor shone through when he played “Keyboard” on vibraphone with Maria Gramm. “Keyboard” is the piece that plays in Saturday Night Live while Jimmy Fallon pens “thank you notes.” Throughout the piece, Josh thanked professors and students who have helped him in his college career, using inside jokes to make the acknowledgements humorous. The recital concluded with the impressive Sonata for Solo Timpani by John Beck. This three movement sonata included a movement using hands instead of mallets and many difficult and quick rhythms. The recital displayed Josh’s diverse talents and hard work, and the audience responded enthusiastically. The Music Department is very proud of Josh’s accomplishment and looks forward to seeing how he uses his talents after he graduates in December.

Maria Gramm's Senior Recital

 

On Sunday, November 15, Maria Gramm performed her Senior Recital in the Newman Recital Hall at College of the Ozarks. The recital began with Maria and fellow percussionist Josh Pruitt playing field drums to Don’t Touch the Sun from Delta Soul Revival. Adding an element of humor, they reenacted an incident that occurred at a music festival in Springfield, Missouri, where a bum danced so close to Maria that her drumstick caught in his pocket. Al Lohman, former C of O Jazz and Pep Band director, played the role of the bum. After the amusing reenactment, Maria and Josh switched to the marimba and were joined by Dylan Coleton on the bells and Lucas Allen on the xylophone for an original arrangement by Maria and Josh of the Theme Song from The Rugrats. Maria and Dylan Coleton played marimba, Lucas Allen xylophone, and Josh Pruitt on vibraphone for Rainbows by Alice Gomez. For Night Piece for Morris Goldenberg by Norman Lloyd, and Four Pieces for Timpani by John Bergamo, Maria played multi-percussion and timpani, respectively. Following the intermission, Maria walked on stage in a vibrant orange gown and played Rocky Rhythm by Sidney Berg on snare drum. She played marimba, Dylan Coleton played vibraphone, and Lucas Allen played xylophone for AMALGATION by Michal Culligan. Maria played marimba for her last piece Gitano “Gypsy” by Alice Gomez. Maria expressed her appreciation of her friends and teachers at C of O, saying “…family isn’t just who you’re related to, it’s the people right here who love and care for you.” The Music Department is very proud of Maria and all she has accomplished, and looks forward to what she will continue to achieve musically.

Walker Boldman's Senior Recital

 
On Saturday, November 14, violinist Walker Boldman performed his senior recital. The recital consisted entirely of classical violin repertoire performed in chronological order. The opening number was the fifth movement of J. S. Bach’s Partita for Violin No. 2 in D minor (“Chaconne”). The “Chaconne” is a technically challenging, fifteen minute long Classical solo which Boldman performed from memory. Fellow students joined Walker on the next two pieces. Kaylen Draschil, a freshman piano major, played the duet part for the first movement of Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in F major (“Allegro”). C of O students Thomas Nissen and Collin Hill on violin and cello, and Drury University student Celka Ojakangas on viola joined Walker to create a quartet for the first movement of String Quartet No. 2 in D Major (“Allegro”), a lush, melodic composition by Russian Nationalist composer, Alexander Borodin. After an intermission, Marilyn Dunn accompanied Walker for his last two pieces. Walker performed the first two movements of Ernest Bloch’s Baal Shem, “Three Pictures of Chassidic Life,” a dramatic, lyrical piece. The final piece was Austrian composer Ottokar Novacek’s Perpetuum Mobile, a piece consisting entirely of sixteenth notes played at a rapid pace with melodic themes woven throughout. Walker’s impressive and exemplary musicianship was met with an enthusiastic response from many beloved family, friends, and teachers who did not hesitate in giving a standing ovation. Walker ended the recital on a bittersweet note, playing Meditations by Massenet, the first song he ever performed at C of O, as an encore. Walker will graduate this December with a double major in math and music. He has been accepted to a graduate program in Material Science Engineering at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he also has an opportunity to play violin with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. The people in the Music Department look forward to seeing how the Lord guides Walker’s path and uses his gift of musicianship.

 

 

NATS Competition Audition

Students that competed in the NATS Musical Theater Division:

From left to right. Top row: Josiah Mullins. 2nd Row:

James Zeller, Josh Whisler. 3rd Row: Caroline Jackson, 

Haly Johnson, Madeline Clem. 4th Row: Sierra Johnson,

 Madeline Cherrito.

On Saturday, October 31, a large group of Applied Voice students from College of the Ozarks participated in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Student Auditions for the Ozark region at MSU. According to the NATS website, “NATS is the largest professional association of teachers of singing in the world,” and their mission is “To encourage the highest standards of the vocal art and of ethical principles in the teaching of singing; and to promote vocal education and research at all levels, both for the enrichment of the general public and for the professional advancement of the talented.” Student Auditions is one of NATS’s most widely recognized events. At the auditions, students sing multiple pieces they have prepared for a panel of teachers who provide comments and score the students. The scores are compared to determine first, second, and third place winners in various divisions. The winners receive cash prizes, and the first place winners perform in a winners’ recital at the end of the day. This year, College of the Ozarks had more participation in the auditions than ever before. Eight students sang for the Music Theater auditions in the morning and six students sang for the Classical auditions in the afternoon. Students represented the voice studios of Ms. Jennifer Wolcott, Mrs. Kristin Cartwright, Mr. Gregg Busch, and Dr. John Cornish. Cartwright, Busch, and Cornish participated in logistical roles and as judges at the auditions. Three C of O students placed in the competition. Jordan Hake, a sophomore music major, placed third in the Lower College Men division of the Classical auditions. Madeline Cherrito, a senior musical theater and studio art major, placed third in the Upper College Music Theater Men and Women division. Josh Whisler, a senior musical theater major, became the first student to ever place first in the Upper College divisions for both the Classical and Music Theater auditions in the same day. At the conclusion of the day, Whisler performed “Her Face” from Carnival and “Warm as the Autumn Light” from The Ballad of Baby Doe in the winners’ recital. The students represented the College of the Ozarks Music Department excellently with their performances. The Department is very proud of these students’ accomplishments, and especially proud of Josh Whisler for his outstanding achievement.

Josh Whisler placed first in the Upper College divisions
for both the Classical and Music Theater.

Chorale Fall Concerts

On Sunday, October 25, and Wednesday, October 28, the College of the Ozarks Chorale performed their fall concert, “Coming Home,” under the direction of Dr. Bruce Gerlach. The first of the two performances took place in Thorncrown Chapel, an architecturally award winning glass chapel in the woods near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Tourists visiting the chapel in the afternoon were delighted to find it full of the sounds of a choral ensemble performing pieces such as Vittoria’s “Jesu Dulcis,” Stephen Paulus’ “Pilgrim’s Hymn,” and many other classic and new choral works. The concert was heavy on sacred music, so the chapel provided a beautiful and appropriate space for a time of worship. The Chorale repeated the same program the following Wednesday in the Newman Recital Hall of the Gittinger Music Building on campus. The Chorale’s performance displayed their hard work from this semester and delighted an audience of friends and family. The title of the concert, “Coming Home,” related to the theme of coming to a place of peace, joy and rest that is ultimately found in Jesus Christ. This theme ran throughout the pieces in the concert, and the Chorale and audience joined together in worship as they meditated on this theme. The Chorale is now looking forward to their performance at the Keeter Center’s Yuletide Feast next month.

We have posted a video of the "Coming Home" Concert on our YouTube Channel. Click the HERE to watch it.

The chorale performs, not only on campus, but they also tour to surrounding areas and even abroad.

Chorale is an auditioned choir. All students are encouraged to try out every semester.

Dr. Gerlach conducts The College of the Ozarks Chorale during the"Coming Home" concert.

Dr. Gerlach arranges many of the works sung by the chorale.

Students watch Dr. Gerlach as he cues their entrance.

College of the Ozarks MTNA Chapter Hosts Fall Piano Festival

 

 

On October 24, the College of the Ozarks Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) was pleased to host its annual Fall Piano Festival. MTNA is a nonprofit organization devoted to advancing the study of music and providing support for professional teachers. At the festival, twenty-six young students gathered on Saturday morning at the Gittinger Music Building. Each performed two contrasting pieces for a panel of three judges. Dr. Christian and piano majors Kaylen Draschil and Laura Berthold judged half of the participants, while piano majors Loran Wiley, Rebekah Arendt, and Ryan Moore judged the other half. The judges selected students to perform in the afternoon honors recital, which was followed by a reception. Every participant received a certificate. The festival was a wonderful opportunity for both students and judges. Rebekah Arendt, who plans on opening her own piano studio post-graduation, said “I realized the students had many common errors, and after the MTNA festival I plan on stressing these areas to my students as well as applying them to myself.”





Sawyer Boldman was chose to play Bach's Minuet in G in the Piano Festival Recital.

Students played a variety of genres. Andrew Roberts played both

Tarantella, written by Franz Liszt, and Screen Door Rag, by Glen Shannon.

Loran Wiley, President of the MTNA College of the Ozarks Chapter, congratulated and presented a certificate to all
of the participants in the Piano Festival.



MTNA participants gathered to congratulate performers after recital.

Carver Boldman played Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag in the MTNA Recital.



Judges from MTNA College of the Ozarks Chapter. Left to right: Dr. Clara Christian, Kaylen Draschil, Loran Wiley, president, Rebekah Arendt, vice president, Laura Berthold, treasurer, Ryan Moore

Successful Orchestra Perfomances

CofO Community Chamber Orchestra, directed by Chris Benham

        The Music Department is proud to report that the College of the Ozarks Chamber Orchestra successfully performed two concerts on October 13th and 14th. Under the direction of C of O Alumnus Christopher Benham, the Chamber Orchestra has doubled in size and diversity, including students, faculty, and members of the community. The ensemble performed Camille Saint-Saens' The Carnival of the Animals and Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 8 ("Unfinished") on both Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon. The Carnival of the Animals featured a duo piano part played by Dr. Clara and Mr. Brian Christian, both of whom are C of O music faculty The concert program was intended for the enjoyment and education on the community's children. On Wednesday, the orchestra performed the concert especially for an audience of students from the School of the Ozarks lower school.

        The concert featured narration by C of O senior James C. Zeller, who read American poet Ogden Nash's  "Verses for Camille Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals" throughout the performance of the piece. James also read his original poem entitled "Unfinished Sailboat" before the orchestra performed Schubert's symphony.

        Tuesday night's audience responded with a standing ovation and the children of the School of the Ozarks responded with laughter and excitement throughout the Wednesday performance. Thank you to all who attended. Your support is sincerely appreciated!

Collins Hill, played the solo for Saint-Saens' Swan  

from Carnival of the Animals

Players focus while playing Saint-Saens' Aquarium

Keith Slater Performs Seinor Recital

On Saturday, October 3, music education major and trombonist Keith Slater performed his senior recital. Mr. Brian Christian provided piano accompaniment as Keith performed Paul Hindemith’s Sonata for Trombone and Eugene Bozza’s Ballade, Op. 62. Mrs. Hannah Pruessner accompanied on piano for Eric Ewazen’s song cycle, Cancoes do Sol. The recital concluded with some lighthearted contemporary pieces, including Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia and Christopher Bill’s Video Game Symphony No. 3. Fellow students joined Keith to provide a jazz ensemble for the Gillespie piece, and to create a trombone quartet for the Bill piece. Slater’s friend Christopher Benham joined him to perform Clapping Music, a minimalistic composition by Steve Reich which uses clapping hands as the only instrument. The recital concluded with a surprise encore: Henry Mancini’s theme from the Pink Panther. Keith expressed that he worked very hard for this program and that he was satisfied with the results. The Music Department is proud of Keith’s dedication to his craft and looks forward to seeing how he will use his gifts in the future.