Welcome Dr. Carlson

We are proud to announce and welcome our new Assistant Professor of Music, Dr. Luke Carlson. He will be directing the College of the Ozarks Orchestra in addition to teaching music theory and composition. Not only has Dr. Carlson traveled the globe as a performer, but his own pieces have been performed globally as well.

Dr. Carlson was born in Washington State and raised in Oregon. He received his Bachelor of Music in 2007 from the University of Oregon, his Master of Music in 2007 from Texas’ Rice University, and his PhD in 2014 from the University of Pennsylvania. He has lived in many places, the most recent of which was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was there he held the position of Interim Choir Director and Music Coordinator from 2014 to 2015.   

In the summer of 2015, he debuted his piece, “Edges,” at the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. The New York Times wrote an article concerning this music festival and regarded Dr. Carlson’s musical language as “personal and strong.” They also refer to his piece as being “rhapsodic” and having a “real narrative sweep.” This past summer, he traveled to Massachusetts for the Wellesley Composers Conference. Dr. Carlson also visited Cortona, Italy, working with composers and performers alike.

Several impressive awards and academic honors have been bestowed on Dr. Carlson. To name a few, he has received the 2013 Jacob Druckman Prize, the 2014 and 2016 MACRO Composers Competition award, the 2014 Network for New Music Caffeinated Composer Competition award, and the 2013 Hopkinson Fellowship award.

Dr. Carlson will be an excellent addition to the C of O Music Faculty. His impressive track record as a young composer and conductor is astounding. He also boasts a wide music range from vocal to electronic, orchestral to chamber, and contemporary to sacred. More about Dr. Carlson can be found at his website lukecarlsonmusic.com. The experiences and people that have shaped him and his career will further the goal of the music department at College of the Ozarks – to bring honor and glory to God through the beauty of music and the fine arts.

Concert Band Performance

Rhapsody in Blue was the featured piece of the Concert Band Concert

On April 22nd, the College of the Ozarks Concert Band performed their Spring 2016 concert in the Jones Auditorium on the College of the Ozarks Campus. Directed by Dr. Kevin Powers, the Concert Band is dedicated to providing a rewarding instrumental ensemble experience to the brass, wind, and percussion students of the College of the Ozarks and community members. The Concert Band performed a varied program, beginning with the patriotic classic God Shed His Grace on Thee, an arrangement by Andrew Glover using themes and elements of America the Beautiful, while adding original elements and even a section of antiphonal brass. The next piece on the program was the theme from a classic western film, Silverado. Evoking images of the open plains of the West, this piece was beautifully arranged for concert band, and our band did it justice. This semester's concert featured Dr. Clara Christian as the piano soloist in their next piece, George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, arranged for concert band by Donald Hunsberger. From the first slurred run on the clarinet to the final tutti chord, the concert band held their audience spellbound, and Dr. Christian's virtuosic playing supported and filled out the piece in a spectacular way, earning her a standing ovation from the crowd. The next piece took a softer turn with David Holsinger's A Childhood Hymn, a sweet, gentle arrangement of Jesus Loves Me. The energy spiked back up again, though with a rousing Sousa march: Riders for the Flag and concluded with the rollicking Broadway-style Curtain Call by John Wasson. All Concert Band concerts are free and open to the students, faculty, and public.

New Ensemble Page

We would like to encourage our readers to take a look at our new page about the ensembles offered here at College of the Ozarks. If you would like more information about the ensembles please e-mail the Music Department at music@cofo.edu

Bellebration

On April 17th, the final handbell concert, “Bellebration,” was hosted at the College’s very own Royal Oak Forum in the Keeter Center. “Bellebration” is one of the largest handbell productions in the history of College of the Ozarks. Mrs. Marilyn Droke, the director of the handbell concert for 30 years, is retiring after this semester. Past handbell alumni from all around the United States are coming to participate in this special event, ending Mrs. Droke’s career with a resounding “ring” that will echo for the future handbell students of C of O.

With many newspaper articles, competition winnings, special events, and travels, the Handbell Choir of C of O has an impressive record. Highlights include travelling to Austria and the Czech Republic in 2007 along with Ireland and England in 2011. They have played for many C of O events, including major convocations with Mike Krzyzewski and Benjamin Netanyahu. In addition to these astounding accomplishments, they regularly have their own concerts during the semester and even played for Miss America at the Branson Grand Palace in 2000.

Mrs. Droke, in response to how she was feeling prior to the “Bellebration” event, said, “I am very excited about our upcoming concert. The College Handbell Choir is one of the best ever. They are hard workers and have accomplished so much. The returning Alumni handbell ringers are all excited about ringing again and playing their favorites. It should be a wonderful event.” Many of the students are very sad to see Mrs. Droke retiring, however they have many happy memories of her and the time spent playing handbells. One of the current handbell students, Emily Farris, is a senior culinary arts major with a minor in hotel and restaurant management. She has participated in handbells for a total of eight semesters! She stated, “It is my last concert, as well as a few others in the group – so it is exciting and sad at the same time… [I will miss] the laughs that we’ve had as a group… the memories that were made are unforgettable! I love the sense of community that come from playing with handbells. All of us in the choir are extremely different, but with handbells it brings you together almost, and makes it sort of like a family.”

An Amercian Sampler: Featuring Dr. Michael Oriatti and Dr. Sarah Weston

An American Sampler On March 16th, 2016, College of the Ozarks hosted a guest recital titled, An American Sampler, featuring Dr. Michael Oriatti, tenor and assistant professor of music at Lyon College and Dr. Sarah Weston, pianist and adjunct professor of music at Lyon College. The concert opened with a slow piece called “Sure On This Shining Night” by Samuel Barber. Then Dr. Oriatti sang a set of songs focused on love. The first was “Outside This House” from Vanessa and was a sad song about a lover who does not win his true love. He cries out, “How happy we could be together”. The next song is a happier love song titled “With You”. The last two in the set of love songs are by Leonard Bernstein that sounded like it was in a minor key. The first one titled, “Extinguish My Eyes”, was a song about how the lover could still love this person no matter what happened to them. One line from the song went, “Break off my arms and I can embrace you.”

He described the next song as a song “after love, or after life”. It was called, “In That Morning”, and was about going home to heaven. He sang repeatedly of “hearing the sounding trumpets” and how you could bury him in the west or east, but he would still end up in heaven. Then there was a short break from the vocal pieces as Dr. Weston played a piece by herself called “Summerland” by Willian Grant Still. The piece was very pleasing to the ear and a nice change.

The next set was focused on nature. Dr. Oriatti came back on stage and sang a song called “Rain” which was a more light-hearted piece. The piano introduction sounded like rain as it consisted of high notes cascading down in a merry way. The lyrics and music matched each other, painting a picture of rain. He sang “Sometimes rain is fast and sometimes rain is slow” and the tempo matched the words. The next song was called, “My Master Hath a Garden”. It described many aspects of nature such as flowers and everglades and sunlight, but it also incorporated faith as he sang, “Make my heart a garden plot.”

Dr. Weston played a fun ragtime by Scott Joplin and then Dr. Oriatti did a set of songs by Stephen Foster. The first, “Ah! May the Red Rose Live Alway!”, spoke of the longing for the beautiful things to last forever. It spoke, “Why should the beautiful die?” and “Long may the daisies dance in the field”. The most lively song was next titled, “Some Folks” and repeated “some folks fret and some folks scold” and so on and the chorus was a rousing, “Long live the merry, merry heart!” He did a song called “Hard Times Come Again No More” and did something unique at the end of the song. He invited the audience to sing along on the last chorus of the song. He ended the set by Stephen Foster by singing “Laura Lee,” proclaiming the world was like a desert without the smile of his sweet Laura Lee.

The precursor to the final piece was another piano solo by Dr. Weston and it was titled “The Banjo”, Op. 15 and it was very fun and lively. It sounded like a song you might hear at a country-dance. At the end of the piece, it appeared as if her fingers were flying as she played a very fast part that seemed very difficult. Lastly, Oriatti and Weston finished the concert with a song fitting for the end titled, “May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You”. It was a soothing slow song that one could not help being lulled in a peace. The lyrics, “May your troubles all be small ones” and “May you walk in sunlight” put a lovely feeling in your soul and ended in applause from the audience.

Looking into the Future

Chris Benham serves as conductor for the College of the Ozark's Chamber Orchestra 

Chris Benham graduated from the College of the Ozarks in Spring 2014 and now has a bright future ahead of him. He got a Master of Arts degree in music and is now conducting his own orchestra and has plans to go on to graduate school. Chris took a conducting class at College of the Ozarks taught by Dr. Bruce Gerlach and he took private conducting lessons with Dr. Kevin Powers. These classes were very helpful in expanding his skills as a conductor. He also increased his knowledge by taking a master class in conducting at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio.

His favorite part of college was the conducting classes he took and actually being a part of starting the orchestra at College of the Ozarks. Chris loves music and chose to make it his career path because he never gets tired of it and no matter what kind of week he is having, he always looks forward to conduct the orchestra and soak in the music.

As Chris looks to the future, he has big plans and exciting dreams. Over the summer he plans to go to the Academy for Advance Conducting in West Virginia and study under a professor from the St. Petersburg Conservatory. In September he will travel to Turkey and get the opportunity to conduct the National Art Orchestra of Italy in Florence for a master class. Then they will perform at the Capriccio Italian Festival.

In the Fall of 2017, Chris plans to attend graduate school, but at this time he hasn’t decided on which one, but he knows he wants to go more in depth with orchestral conducting. The piece of advice Chris would give to students considering a career path in music is, “Be entrepreneurial”. He encourages students to find and make their own opportunities. If you actively seek opportunities, you will go far. He also says it is important to seek advice from experienced musicians and lean on them for knowledge.

Jazz Combo Concert



Guest Artist: Bill Reder

On February 17, the Music Department was honored to host guest artist Bill Reder for the Jazz Combo Concert. Mr. Reder was a distinguished saxophonist in Las Vegas for more than 20 years. He performed for many famous artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mickey Rooney, Liberace, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lewis. He now teaches woodwinds at College of the Ozarks while also performing at the Showboat Branson Bell.

This was the first concert hosted by the Jazz Combo. The Jazz Combo is a small student ensemble that focuses on improvisation of various jazz styles. Generally, combo groups play tunes completely through first, then proceed by playing variations of the tunes through individual solos. Individual solos include piano, trumpet, woodwinds, bass, and drums. 

Dr. Kevin Powers

During the Jazz Combo Concert, a group of three students performed along with Dr. Kevin Powers and Mr. Reder. Dr. Powers, director for the College of the Ozarks' bands, played trumpet for the Jazz Combo Concert. Dr. Powers holds a masters degree in Trumpet performance and a doctorate degree in wind conducting.  

Bass Player: Chris White

Bassist Chris White is a senior computer science major. At an early age, Chris started learning music on the guitar, but at Dr. Power’s request, Chris learned the bass for Jazz Combo. 

Drummer: Taylor Dodson

The Combo’s drummer, Taylor Dodson, is a junior communication arts major with an emphasis in audio and radio. When he first joined the combo, Taylor originally played the guitar, but this semester as a change, he decided to perform on drums. 

Pianist: Caleb Vester

Senior, Caleb Vester, a double major in accounting and piano, performs the piano for not only Jazz Combo, but also in the Jazz Band. Caleb began his improvisational career with a hymnal from his church when he was 15. He continues his career by performing at venues such as Dobyns Dining Room at The Keeter Center.

During the concert, a variety of jazz styles were played including Samba, Swing, Ballads, Soul, and Funk. When asked to explain the experience performing with such an honored guest and distinguished musician, Chris said, “It was an honor to play with a professional musician like Mr. Reder. I learned a lot from listening to his phrasing and dynamic choices.” After the concert, Dr. Powers reflected, “The concert was a complete success. It was a lot of fun playing with Mr. Reder. The students did great and played like experienced jazz musicians.” The Jazz Combo will perform again in the Jazz Band Concert on April 29^th this semester.