The Department of Music is proud to announce Carl Christenson and Hastings Reeves as winners of the 2011-12 Concerto-Aria Competition. They were among the 17 contestants that participated in the annual event held on Saturday, February 4, 2012, in Nazareth Chapel. Carl R. Christenson, clarinet, won the Concerto division with his performance of Concerto in E-flat for Clarinet, I. Allegro, by Franz Kromer, accompanied by Janet Scovill, piano. Carl studies clarinet with Jan Possehl Scholl and is pursuing majors in General Music and Biology. T. Hastings Reeves, bass/baritone, won the Aria division with his performance of “Tutto รจ disposto…Aprite un po’quelgi occhi,” from Le Nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, accompanied by student Seoyon Susanna Lim, piano. Hastings studies voice with Carol Eikum and is pursuing a Vocal Music Performance degree.
The results of the competition were announced during a reception that followed in the Blue Room. Benjamin Osterhouse, cello, and Amanda Potts, flute, and Hannah Lindahl, soprano, were recognized with Honorable Mention for their performances. Guest adjudicators for this event were Jean del Santo, University of Minnesota voice faculty member, Sarah Lewis, cellist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Juan Li, Bethel University piano faculty member.
Carl Christenson and Hastings Reeves will perform as featured guest artists with the Northwestern College Orchestra, under the direction of David Kozamchak, on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in Maranatha Hall, on the campus of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Congratulations to T. Hastings Reeves!
T. Hastings Reeves, bass/baritone and Junior Vocal Performance major at Northwestern College, took First Place in Round 1 of the Classical Singer Vocal Competition for undergraduate singers in the upper Midwest region, held at the University of Minnesota on Saturday, January 28, 2012! Reeves, hailing from Fargo and more recently Bismarck, North Dakota, is invited to compete in the Semi-final round, held in Chicago on May 25—27 at the National Classical Singer Convention. His vocal instructor is Carol Eikum, and Jan Scovill was his accompanist.
Alum featured on KARE 11
Colin Woelfle ’01, Northwestern alum and Armstrong High School Band Director, celebrated a big win in Tampa, Fla. as his band was named Grand Champions of this year’s Outback Bowl Parade competition. Though Armstrong High School had competed in the Outback Bowl Parade before, this was their first time winning. They competed again seven other high schools from around the country.
The band performed in the Outback Bowl Parade, during the halftime show of the Outback Bowl and also in a parade at Walt Disney World.
Roughly 120 members of the band also performed live on KARE 11 Sunrise:
See the story on KARE 11 as well as the video from the Outback Bowl.
Faculty Collage
Tuesday, January 24, 7:30 p.m.
FEATURING VARIOUS FACULTY ARTISTS
On this brisk winter evening you will be warmed with the smooth tones of a brass trio, piano solo and duet, and a trumpet jazz ballad. The variety of voicings and plethora of performers is the draw of this fine evening of music.
For a list and order of performers, check out the January Events Page here
NWC ORCHESTRA performed with local church band in chapel & at CD release concert
Friday, December 9, 9:10 a.m. chapel (NWC) and 7 p.m. concert (Constance Free Church, Andover)
The NWC Orchestra teamed up with the church’s worship band, watchword:truth for praise chapel on Friday, December 9, and then to Constance Free Church at 7 p.m., for an original Christmas CD Release Party! The band – watchword:truth – is led by Dan Leverence, Creative Arts Pastor at Constance Free Church and adjunct instructor in the new Music Ministry program here at NWC.
NWC Jazz Ensemble performed at Roseville Library on Thursday, Dec. 8
The NWC Jazz Ensemble, directed by John S. Herlihy, performed on Thursday, December 8, 7-8 p.m., at the Roseville Library community room (2180 Hamline Ave. N.) as promo for the January 14 Roseville Jazz Blast coming to Maranatha Hall.
Congratulations to NWC Department of Music Singers & NATS finalists
Congratulations to all voice students who performed at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Minnesota State Auditions at St. John’s University near St. Cloud this past Friday and Saturday (Nov 4-5), as well as their voice teachers Carol Eikum, Doreen Hutchings, and Catherine Larson. This weekend has become a tradition in the Northwestern Music Department for singers, affording a time for fellowship and a lot of learning about the world of singing. There were some amazing personal best performances for our students in addition to the joys and frustrations resulting from an adjudicated event such as this. It was great to see these students represent Northwestern College and their Lord so admirably. Deep gratitude goes to accompanists Sonja Grimes, Barbara Rogers and Jan Scovill for performing so much literature so well and for the calm, encouraging support they gave our singers. Below are the audition results:
SEMI-FINALISTS Maria Moua Lindsey Dammar
FINALISTS Julia Pagh, First Place (College Women Division - through age 19) Michele Seiffert, First Place (College Women Division - through age 20) Anthony Potts, Second Place (College Men Division - through age 18) T. Hastings Reeves, Second Place (College Men Division - through age 20)
HIGH SCHOOL SEMI-FINALIST Erika Sawyer (High School Girls Division – 14-15 year-olds) Student of Professor Doreen Hutchings and daughter of Professor Timothy Sawyer
CONGRATULATIONS, SINGERS! SOLI DEO GLORIA! (TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY)
Alumnus Nathan Bird Receives Accolades for Vocal/Guitar Recording
Northwestern alum Nathan Bird ’06 was recently featured on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) on Sept. 20. He was interviewed by Allison Young and shared music from his new recording with the Massif Trio, featuring German songs accompanied by two guitars.
Since graduating from Northwestern Bird earned his master’s degree in voice performance from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. His recent work includes singing with the premier men’s ensemble Cantus and performing in the Guthrie Theater’s recent production of HMS Pinafore.
NWC senior, Shawn Fletcher, competes in State Fair Talent Competition finals
Congratulations to Shawn Fletcher, Northwestern Vocal Performance major, for winning first place in the Semi-finals on Saturday, August 27, in the Open Division of the Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest. Shawn performed “Run Away with Me” from a new musical, The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown (after having an emergency appendectomy at 1 a.m. that same day!). Although he did not end up winning the competition, he performed wonderfully and had a good showing of fans cheering for him!
New music major for 2011–12: Bachelor of Science in Music (Music Ministry)
Northwestern is offering a new NASM-accredited degree in music ministry, beginning fall 2011. The Bachelor of Science in Music (Music Ministry) will equip students to serve in church music ministry and worship leadership roles. The degree is built on the essentials of musical excellence, biblical theology and practical training. Degree-specific courses will be taught by adjunct faculty who are worship leaders in the vibrant Twin Cities worship scene, and the program of study culminates with an 80-hour internship at a local church. View the complete news release and video.
Music Audition Applications Now Being Accepted
The Department of Music is now accepting Music Audition Applications for students wishing to audition for Fall 2011 admission to one of the department's majors. View the application and other instructions.
Accent E-Newsletter
The Northwestern College Department of Music is pleased to offer the Accent E-Newsletter. Subscribe or view past and current newsletters online.
Northwestern College Orchestra CD
The Northwestern College Orchestra, conducted by David Kozamchak, released Orchestral Showcase – a collection of live performances from NWC Orchestra concerts from 2006 to 2010 – in the Spring of 2011. CDs are $15 each and can be purchased from the Department of Music office. If you would like a CD mailed to you, shipping is $3. Send your check to: Karen Leivian, Department of Music, Northwestern College, F2219, 3003 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55113.
Northwestern College Choir CD
The Northwestern College Choir, under the direction of Timothy Sawyer, has released a new CD, Sacred Bridges—a collection of live performances from their Baltic Tour in May 2010. CDs are $15 each and can be purchased from the Department of Music office. If you would like a CD mailed to you, shipping is $3. Send your check to: Karen Leivian, Department of Music, Northwestern College, F2219, 3003 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55113.
Archive News
Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) College Young Artist Contest 2011
Third place winner: Seoyon Susanna Lim, piano, Piano Performance Major, current junior
Susanna performed a 30-minute memorized program before two judges, and as a winner she will perform one piece in the Honors Recital that concludes the Minnesota Music Teachers Association's 2011 state convention in June. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held on:
Tuesday, June 7, 2011, 7 p.m. Crowne Plaza Hotel 3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth, MN
Lim, student of Barbara Rogers, also competed in the Schubert Club and Thursday Musical Scholarship competitions this year.
Alumna Hannah (Nelson) Lu, featured soprano with South Dakota Symphony's Messiah
Saturday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2:30 p.m.
The South Dakota Symphony and Chorus will perform one of George Frideric Handel’s most famous works, Messiah, at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. This concert features talent such as Northwestern College alumna Hannah Celeste Lu, soprano. Although first composed in the 18th Century, Handel’s Messiah transcends time to still be a powerfully moving piece today, making it a performance not to be missed.
Ticketed Event * Tickets may be purchased by calling 605-367-6000 Group Tickets from $14 Groups (10 or more): 605-731-2413 www.sdsymphony.org
Congratulations to Northwestern College music students as winners in the following prestigious music competitions:
Thursday Musical Young Artist Competition 2011
College Level Advanced Voice first place co-winner (there were two first place winners in this division): Barrett Radziun, tenor, Vocal Performance Major recent graduate (Dec. ’10)
College Level Intermediate Voice first place winner: T. Hastings Reeves, bass-baritone, Vocal Performance Major, current sophomore Radziun and Reeves (both students of Carol Eikum) will perform on:
Thursday, March 31, 7 p.m.
First Place Winners’ Concert at Bloomington Center for the Arts 1800 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN, 952-563-8567 The concert is free and open to the public.
3003 SneLling Avenue North | ST. Paul, Mn | 55113-1598 | 651-631-5100 or 800-692-4020
The Northwestern College Orchestra, conducted by David Kozamchak, released Orchestral Showcase – a collection of live performances from NWC Orchestra concerts from 2006 to 2010 – in the Spring of 2011. CDs are $15 each and can be purchased from the Department of Music office. If you would like a CD mailed to you, shipping is $3. Send your check to: Karen Leivian, Department of Music, Northwestern College, F2219, 3003 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55113.
The Northwestern College Choir, under the direction of Timothy Sawyer, has released a new CD, Sacred Bridges—a collection of live performances from their Baltic Tour in May 2010. CDs are $15 each and can be purchased from the Department of Music office. If you would like a CD mailed to you, shipping is $3. Send your check to: Karen Leivian, Department of Music, Northwestern College, F2219, 3003 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55113.
