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As of the Fall 2015 semester, Saint Xavier University’s music department has seen new faculty members and new implementations for the upcoming semesters. With new faculty members, new music related classes, and a new holiday concert, the music department has made some additions to its annual programming.
Dr. Greg Coutts, the Acting Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences in the Department of Music, shared some information about the music department’s new faculty, classes, and concerts.
“We have approximately 40 music majors with over half of them majoring in Music Education and 20 music minors. A large number of students participate in our various music ensembles.We have recently begun a new instrumental jazz emphasis within the Bachelor of Music Performance degree,” said Coutts.
One new concert that the department is planning to host is its Christmas Spectacular Concert. New to the department, this concert will feature all of its ensembles. In addition to this concert, a new music class will be introduced in the Spring 2015 semester.
“We are trying something new this year with our Christmas Spectacular Concert (Sunday, December 6 at 3 p.m.) where we will be showcasing all of our ensembles celebrating the Christmas season. (Dr.) Thompson has [also] developed a new special topics course (MUS 250: Music Recording and Technology) which will be piloted this spring (T & TH 2-3:20 PM),” said Coutts.
Dr. Jason Thompson, Director of Instrumental Activities, also was able to comment about the music department, his transition into the university, and his new implementations to the department.
Thompson is one of the new faculty members to the department. Ms. Laura Bogan, Director of Choral Activities, and Mr. Daniel Sartori, Instructor of Low Brass are also new to the department this semester.
“Due to the great spirit and energy in the students and the helpfulness and comradery I feel with the faculty, transitioning to my new position at SXU has actually been fairly easy. There are always logistical issues like new computer systems, university policies, and the like, but everyone has been really helpful in guiding me, so I’ve felt very comfortable and welcomed,” said Thompson.
Thompson taught as an adjunct professor at Cornell College while completing his doctorate, and later taught full time at Wayne State College in Nebraska and Waldorf College in Iowa.
“I’m lucky in that I enjoy lots of different aspects of the music world and music education. So, being in a position that requires a lot of different types of work is something that makes every day very exciting for me,” said Thompson.
Thompson also commented on the importance of recitals and concerts. “Concerts and recitals are opportunities for me to enjoy seeing students’ growth and maturity come to life. I’m particularly excited about the three concerts I’m conducting this semester, and I’m excited to share the stage with all the students who have been working incredibly hard to prepare a varied selection of repertoire for our audiences,” said Thompson.
In addition to these concerts, Thompson will be introducing a new music class. With a background in audio recording, Thompson plans to create a program that will aid its music majors and minors in the field, which will be beneficial to them in their professional careers.
“Although nothing has been officially implemented, I hope to organize a program that helps our music majors and minors become well-trained in the area of audio recording. The department has already made a substantial investment in new equipment so that our students can have access to studio-quality recordings of themselves and also learn about that process…. I’m really excited about the potential rewards for our students,” said Thompson.
For students who are interested in attending one or more of the music department’s concerts, there are many opportunities to do so before the end of the semester. Coming up next week, the SXU Wind Ensemble will present “Hymns and Mysteries,” an eclectic mix of instrumental repertoire inspired by poetry, songs, and hymns.
This concert will be performed in the Music Performance Space on November 17th, at 7:30 P.M. Also coming up in the next week, the SXU Symphony Orchestra will perform “Symphonic Impressions” in the Music Performance Space on November 21, at 7:30 p.m.
This concert will include orchestral favorites by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, and George Frideric Handel. The Christmas Spectacular Concert will take place in the Music Performance Space on December 6th, at 3:00 p.m. This concert will include performances from the entire Department of Music.
Performing groups will include the SXU Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Chorale and Chamber Singers, as well as a variety of chamber ensembles. With free admission for SXU students, all students are encouraged to attend these performances.
Questions about these performances or the new classes for the Spring 2016 semester can be sent to Thompson at jkthompson@sxu.edu.
Note from the Editor-in-Chief:
In the spirit of full disclosure, it must be mentioned that Julie Gardner is a student with some involvement in the SXU music program.
Julie Gardner
Senior News Editor
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