Message to Conservatory

Greetings Bloggers- I just wanted you to know how proud I am of everyone @ the Conservatory. I sent this message out to all students, faculty and staff recently. B-W...it's a great place to be!

Dear Conservatory Family,

I was quoted several times this weekend saying that “it’s a good time to be at the Conservatory of Music at Baldwin-Wallace College”. This sentiment was kindled through various avenues, not the least of which is that plans are moving ahead with our conservatory building project despite a faltering economy and other challenging factors. I will be able to speak more fully as the next few weeks unfold. The work that we do in the final planning stages of our building will affect conservatory students, staff and faculty for many decades to come.

Even more exciting news however comes from what my ears and heart enjoyed this past weekend having had the pleasure to attend both performances through competition weekend at the conservatory, and by our student orchestra on Friday night led by conductor Dwight Oltman with piano soloist Dr. Sungeun Kim. I could not have been more pleased with the excellent performance by all of these musicians. In just four and a half quick weeks, they coalesced into a uniform ensemble displaying a wonderfully blended string sound, mature wind soloists with impeccable intonation, and a brass and percussion section capable of a complete range from subtleties to overwhelming power. Their performance of the Beethoven and Saint-Saens program proved these difficult pieces to be well within their musical and technical grasp. They set the bar exceeding high at this first performance of the year, and I look forward to hearing them exceed that level on each successive outing. The full to capacity crowd enjoyed the performance led by their commanding leader Dwight Oltman, and heard the artistry of a musician, pianist and magnificent soul of our own Dr. Kim.

I also had the pleasure to hear all thirteen finalists compete in the Concerto Competition on Saturday with Senior Music Education Major, Laura Schupbach winning. I hope you will attend the B-W Symphony Orchestra concert on Friday 4 December when she performs Samuel Barber’s masterwork for soprano and chamber orchestra, Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Hearing Laura’s performance and that of all twelve finalists helped to highlight the talent of our conservatory student body. I hope even more students will consider performing in this conservatory-wide competition next year.

Sunday brought the Hakola Vocal Competition to the fore, and I am pleased to announce that the winner of this scholarship award is soprano Jessica Waddle. Once again, all eleven performers exhibited the highest level of accomplishment.

Thank to everyone for your hard work thus far this semester. I wish I could attend each and every performance on and off campus, but alas, that just isn’t possible. Good luck in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Peter Landgren, Director
Conservatory of Music
Baldwin-Wallace College