Fall Happenings at the Conservatory

Hello Everyone! My name is Elizabeth, and I am the new BW Conservatory student blogger. In anticipation of my first blog, I was trying to narrow down exactly what I wanted to say about the BW Conservatory at this time of year. After taking one look out the window, I knew I had the perfect topic.

From a student's perspective, BW is GORGEOUS this time of year. As the weather starts to cool down and the leaves start to change, the campus seems to come alive with all of the students finally settling into their routines and making the most of their musical education. As always, this is also the time of year when mid-terms are right around the corner! However, on a day like today, when the sun is shining and a nice, cool fall breeze is floating through the air, it's the perfect opportunity for a walk down to Coe Lake to start on some of that much-needed relaxation!


Just in time to welcome the change of seasons, this upcoming weekend marks one of the first performance-packed weekends of the semester:

Friday September 25, 2009 @ 8pm: Our fabulous Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dwight Oltman, will perform The Saint-Saens "Organ" Symphony and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.4 featuring Dr. Sungeun Kim, one of the newer members of our wonderful piano faculty.

Saturday September 26, 2009 @ 1pm: 13 talented student instrumentals and vocals will compete in the Concerto Competition by performing 10 minutes of a major work for their specific instrument and orchestra. The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to perform their entire work with the BW Symphony Orchestra later in the semester.

Saturday September 26, 2009 @ 8pm: The B-W Jazztet, directed by Greg Banaszak, will perform, featuring the "Take Five" Jazz String Quartet and 3 student vocalists. Mr. Banaszak will be touring with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra this October, premiering two new saxophone concertos in Paris and Vienna, and will conclude the tour with a performance at the 2009 Henry Gorceki Music Festival in Krakow, Poland!

Sunday September 27, 2009 @ 4pm: 11 vocalists will perform in the Hakola Vocal Competition in the hopes of winning an annual scholarship sponsored by long-time BW Conservatory faculty member, Mel Hakola.

Sunday September 27, 2009 @ 8pm: Henry Peyrebrune, our double bass faculty member, will give a recital featuring other members of our voice and instrumental faculty.


As you can see, there is hardly a dull moment at the BW Conservatory! There is always something to do, something to see, or something wonderful to hear....even if you are just walking by the practice rooms!


Elizabeth Wojtowicz
Student Ambassador
Conservatory Admissions

NEW LIFE

Three weeks into the fall semester, and things are rolling along smoothly and busily here at the Conservatory of Music. The new life, of course, refers to the 82 new freshmen that we are so excited about, including a pianist from Bangkok and three vocalists from Arizona. It's fun to watch the ebb and flow of the Conservatory community as some students graduate and new students arrive; yet the over-arching commitment to excellence in music and performance continues.

New life includes our new faculty: Andreas Metz, music theory; David Brockett, horn; Anna Maria D'Antonio, dance; Amy Hall, voice, and Boyd Mackus, voice. There are 68 artist faculty educating and supporting our 320 music majors.

The addition of our Conservatory annex (UCC Church) has brought new life because of the new opportunities for usable space! Though renovation and new construction lies in the future; the annex is supplying additional rehearsal, teaching, and studio space.

Last but not least is the celebration of new life to be for our Conservatory Office manager, Shannon Fujimura. She and her husband Dylan will welcome their new baby soon; but we took the opportunity to celebrate today.

Wishing you the very best as you find ways to breathe new life into your work and daily routines.