March 17-20: MTNA National Conference

On March 17-20, six C of O piano students and our piano professor Dr. Clara Christian were able to attend the MTNA national conference in Orlando, Florida. The conference featured many informative sessions as well as live performances. Students Laura Berthold, Zach Bryngelson, Kaylen Draschil, TJ Gozé, Brian Hofmann, and Monica Humrichouse participated in the trip.

Dr. Christian said that “the MTNA national conference was as inspiring as ever: it occurs in different parts of the country every year, and I haven't been to one since 2014 (when it was in Chicago). In 2012, I did a poster session while I was still a graduate student. But it was a lot of fun to be able to take C of O college students who had never been to one of these conferences before.”

Some of the conference highlights included performances by the national composition and performance competition winners (some of whom were only in fifth or sixth grade), the piano masterclass with Pavlina Dokovska, and workshops on subjects such as duet playing, performance practice on period instruments, and helping young professionals achieve success. It was thought provoking and encouraging to see so many topics and teaching styles represented.

March 11 Senior Composition Recital: Rebekah Arendt

On March 11, Rebekah Arendt presented her Composition Senior Recital. Rebekah will be graduating this May with a major in Music Theory and Composition and a minor in Clothing and Textiles. Dr. Luke Carlson is her Theory and Composition professor.

Her first piece, Childhood Scenes, was a three movement work inspired by her childhood. Siblings, a flute and clarinet duet, followed Childhood Scenes. Rebekah then accompanied a Vivaldi flute sonata and a Mozart vocal composition. Her program concluded with Hope, an original composition for voice and piano, and Missouri Storm, a piano solo.

Rebekah’s compositions were performed by music students Lucas Allen, Dylan Coleman, Brian Hofmann, Alaina Headley, Mary Sumner, Sarah McCullough, Mary Grace Baldwin, and staff accompanist Caleb Lawson. Childhood Scenes was conducted by Mr. Gregg Busch, a C of O adjunct professor.