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I firmly believe that the old adage, "Those who can't do, teach" is horribly wrong. In order to teach music, you must be a talented and confident performer. In my career at Penn State University, I have taken advantage of many performance opportunities and continue to pursue other musical outlets.
Throughout my college career, I have been a member of both the Penn State Symphonic Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, both under the direction of Dennis Glocke. The Symphonic Band is usually about 70 members and they perform many standard works for wind band. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is smaller, usually about 40 members, and they often perform newer works. Both groups are by audition only. Click here to listen to the Symphonic Band's performance of "Huntingtower Ballad for Band" by Ottorino Respighi from Spring 2006. I have also been a member of Oriana Singers, an all-women's choir directed by Dr. Lynn Drafall. Below is a copy of a Symphonic Band program from the first concert in Spring 2006.
My largest time commitment is as a member of the Isometrix Saxophone Quartet. In January 2007, we performed at the U.S. Navy International Saxophone Symposium in Fairfax, Virginia for crowds of raving saxophone enthusiasts. We also performed at the 2007 NASA Regional Conference as well as throughout the Centre County region. Our repertoire has included: Russell Peck: Drastic Measures Personnel: Nick Svoboda, soprano; Mallory Leach, alto; Caleb Rebarchak, tenor; Michelle Lillie, baritone.
In September 2007, I also performed with the Centre Quartet at the Single Reed Symposium at SUNY Potsdam. We performed excerpts from the Philip Glass Quartet Concerto in a masterclass with the PRISM Quartet. I am also involved with the School of Theatre and occasionally play in pit orchestras for their musicals. I have played for many shows including "Urinetown: The Musical," "The Boyfriend," "1776," and Jason Robert Brown's "Parade." Playing in these shows is great performance and learning experience.
Solo Work As a music major, am required to take one hour of private lessons every week. My private teacher is Dr. David B. Stambler, Professor of Saxophone. In my lessons with him, I work on many technical exercises, etudes, and solo repertoire. Listed below are some of the pieces we have worked on, most of which were performed in public. Repertoire: |
