Music at Midweek offers student chance to perform in front of peers and professors
By Elizabeth Tertadian
Junior Jasonn Hannibal is best known for being a basketball player for UP. However, he is also a talented double bass player and music studies major. After playing bass in Mississagua, Canada for five years as a member of the Youth Orchestra, he came to UP to study bass. On Wednesday, he performed "Tarantella" at Music at Midweek along with 10 other peers who performed.
Music at Midweek is a weekly recital on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. where music majors gather in the Mago Hunt Center to hear music of all genres and to listen to their peers perform. The recital is open for anyone to come and hear students, faculty and professional musicians perform.
"I did okay," junior Alex Fiori said. "I could have had cleaner runs and articulation."
He played variations of "The Carnival of Venice" on trumpet. This was his fifth performance, and according to him, performing never gets better. For others, performing is what they enjoy most.
"The spontaneity of live performance - you never know what's going to happen," said sophomore vocalist Chris Morell, who performed "Sogna, sogna, mia cara anima!" an Italian song and "The Walking" this Wednesday. He is also a member of University Singers.
Beyond being a recital, Music at Midweek is a required class for all music majors, but is not worth any credit. Instead, it is meant to expose students to a variety of music and to give them practice performing. According to performing and fine arts professor Michael Connolly, the goal is to present students with the opportunity to hear as much good music as they can, and to help them grow into confident performers.
"Dr. Margaret Vance, who retired from UP in 1987, was often noted for saying, 'Making musicians listen to music is like forcing lovers to kiss: you shouldn't have to,'" Connolly said.
Students must attend 11 out of the 14 recitals each semester, all four years. Additionally, music majors perform at Music at Midweek once each semester.
The first half of the semester, outside performers come and play for the students. This fall, musicians such as keyboardist Tracy Krebs, pianist and UP graduate Jessica Reed and bluegrass band Phoenix Rising played at the recital.
"People would be very surprised how many different music genres we offer," music professor Kenneth Kleszynski said.
Repeat performers for Music at Midweek were adjunct professor Phil Neuman and his wife, Gayle, who are experts in building and playing old-age instruments. This semester they performed "La Cantatrice," music from early 17th century London and Italy, and played instruments such as the lute, cittern and bandora.
The second half of the semester is focused on students' performances. The pieces they perform are a reflection of what they have been working on in their private lessons. Each student gives a 3-5 minute solo, either voice or their instrument of choice.
Additionally, students write a short, professional bio about themselves and the piece from the third person, which is included in the program. Going in reverse order, seniors perform first, then juniors and sophomores, and finally freshman. This gives freshman more time to practice and to polish up their piece.
"It's very satisfying watching them over the years grow into confident performers," Connolly said.
Besides being a time for students to hear and perform music, Music at Midweek is a venue for seniors to present their capstone project. This semester, senior music education major Colin Rupp will present his capstone project at Music at Midweek on December 9 with a guitar recital.
