March 11: Federation of Music Competition

Last Saturday, piano professor Dr. Clara Christian took five piano students to compete in the Federation of Music Clubs Competition in Jefferson City. Among the five were Laura Berthold, Loran Wiley, Ryan Moore, Kaylen Draschil, and Brian Hofmann. Ryan Moore won the McHaney award and Loran Wiley won the McClure award.

The students also had the chance to visit the capitol building. Brian Hofmann enjoyed the trip, saying, “It’s good to be around people that share your same interests, per say, and seeing the beauty of the architecture of our state capitol. And, just like any pianist, there are always things you can work on. We’re all our worst critics, I guess. After a performance, you kind of hear all the mistakes you made; you don’t really hear all the good musicianship. In retrospect, I believe I played to the best of my ability.”

Dr. Christian also remarked on the experience, saying, "I love taking my students to competitions--of course I'm excited to have two winners this time. But winners or not, each student learns a lot about performing on a new piano for a new audience, and they get feedback from the judges that sometimes can make a great impact on their playing.  It also builds camaraderie and mutual support among the piano students." 




The Music Department is very proud of Ryan and Loran for their well-deserved awards, and of all the students who performed in the competition.

March 7th Guest Artists: Fuse Trio

On Tuesday, March 7^th, the Music Department presented Fuse Trio, a Classical/Jazz fusion group. The group is made up of three professional musicians; Dr. Clara Christian, a piano professor at College of the Ozarks, saxophone professor Mr. Matthew Sintchak at the University of Wisconsin, and clarinetist Mr. David Gould, who is the Artistic Advisor, Artist Relations Manager, and Product Specialist for Vandoren.

The eclectic music they played was both beautiful and appealing. They started with a four movement piece called Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla. They followed this by playing a Duo Sonata by Gregory Wanamaker, which featured the alto saxophone and the clarinet in a four movement piece. The next piece, written by Phil Woods, was called “With Love for Jill,” and was written specifically for the Fuse Trio. They ended the program with “upon finding absence” by Christian Ellenwood, a beautiful and sad piece written after the passing of a friend. The Music Department was thrilled to host such talented and musically expressive performers.

2017 Spring Musical: Meet Me in Saint Louis

On Friday, March 3^rd, 2017 the College of the Ozarks Theater Department put on the production Meet Me in Saint Louis, with Dr. John Cornish as the Music Director. The musical focuses on an everyday middle class family in the 1900s. The family consists of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, their four daughters, Rose, Esther, Agnes, “Tootie,” and their grandpa. Their kitchen maid, Katie also plays a big role in the family.

The happy family lives in St. Louis, with Mr. Smith struggling in his job as a lawyer. Rose and Esther have their heads full of beaus and their father is oblivious. One humorous point in the musical is when Rose is waiting for a phone call from a Warren Sheffield and the whole family except Mr. Smith knows and is trying to keep him away from the telephone. Their attempts are useless and when the phone rings, Mr. Smith answers the phone, to the entire family’s chagrin.

Meanwhile, Esther is in love with John Truett, “The Boy Next Door” and just wants to talk to him and wishes he would notice her. Agnes and Tootie cause all sorts of trouble and misunderstandings lead to John Truett being attacked. The climax of the musical is when Mr. Smith announces he’s taken a job in New York City and the whole family is moving. This riles the entire family as they have things they love in Saint Louis, especially the World’s Fair. Meet Me in Saint Louis is a show for the whole family to see with drama, humor, romance, and intrigue.  

February 24 Guest Piano Recital: Dr. Scott Carrell

On Friday, February 25, pianist Dr. Scott Carrell presented an informative and entertaining guest recital. Dr. Carrell is a native of Texas and has performed extensively as a solo artist. His program included classical selections from Mozart to jazz pieces by Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller.

Dr. Carrell began his recital with the first movement from Mozart’s Sonata in C Major, K. 330. He transitioned from the Classical period to the Romantic Era with Chopin’s Nocturne in E Minor. Other selections included preludes by French composer Noël Gallon and Ondine by Ravel—a difficult piece featuring rippling chords reminiscent of flowing water.

Dr. Carrell demonstrated his extensive repertoire by playing a few ragtime pieces by Joplin, Confrey, and Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller. His final selection in the program was the distinctive and exciting Mephisto Waltz No. 1 by Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. He ended the evening with an encore performance of Chopin.