On Friday, March 25, the Saint Xavier University Music Department held their Honors Recital at 7:30 p.m. in McGuire Hall.
Participants included: sophomores Emilia Ramos on Violin, Marco Martinez on Voice, and Christopher Butnariu on Soprano Saxophone; juniors Jayson House on Alto Saxophone and Lucas Lowry on Voice; and seniors Christopher Habrelewicz on Marimba, Carlos-Ronaldo Lopez on Voice, and Cameron Jones on Piano.
Thomas McNichols—a Faculty Specialist of Music Ensembles—stated, “Each spring, music faculty nominate students from their applied studios to audition for the recital. These students demonstrate a strong level of technical and artistic mastery.”
“The competitive nature is designed to inspire students to challenge themselves in their preparation of musical pieces that best highlight their abilities,” McNichols continued, “Students can compete every year, so the faculty get to watch their growth in the process. Traditionally students use the Honors Recital to help them hone pieces they will perform as part of other [high impact musical] projects.”
McNichols notes that Applied study is ‘a component’ of the music major and minor, “…but is also offered to any student wishing to take voice or instrumental lessons,” —and involves “…many semesters of development.”
“Student performers are involved in weekly lessons throughout the course of their study. Repertoire is part of the curriculum,” he explained, saying, “Each applied instructor is an actively performing musician, so the interactive lessons allow students to refine natural talent into marketable skill sets.”
Courtesy of McNichols and the Music Department, The Xavierite was provided with a copy of the Honors Recital Program.
Habrelwicz opened the recital with a music selection of Furioso & Valse in D minor by Earl Hatch. Lowry—a tenor—performed ‘O Sole Mio by Eduardo di Capua, and O del mio amato ben by Stephano Donaudy—featuring pianist Monica Kropidlowski.
Ramos played the first selection of Sonatina No. 1 in D Major, op. 137 composed by Franz Schubert—called Allegro molto—on violin, followed by Tenor singer Martinez who performed two music pieces: Dorme la selva from Malinconia by Francesco Paolo Tosti, and a third music selection from Op. 6. Three Shakespeare Songs called Blow, blow thou winter wind by Roger Quilter.
Butnariu performed Cafe 1930, the first music selection from Histoire du Tango by composer Astor Piazolla. Next, Lopez sang Baritone to Le Secret, op. 23. No. 3. by Gabriel Fauré, and That Moment On by Jake Heggie—from Pieces of 9/11. Later, House performed three music selections from Paul Creston’s Sonata for E-flat alto saxophone: I. With Vigor, II. With Tranquility, and III. With Gaiety.
Ramos, Martinez, Butnariu, Lopez, and House were also accompanied by Kropidlowski on Piano.
As a final showcase, Jones played I. Largo-Allegro, II. Adagio, and III. Allegretto from the musical piece Sonata for Piano, opus 31 #2, in D Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Campus community members and “neighbors of the university” say that this [Honors Recital] event is “…a reminder of the high quality of a music education at SXU,” said McNichols.
Besides streaming the event online to reach a ‘wider audience,’ McNichols says, “The goal is to attract prospective students to continue music study at SXU, while providing our current students with high impact performance opportunities.”
“As our programs continue to evolve, we look for innovative ways to serve our students,” McNichols adds. “We anticipate future performances will feature even more variety.”
McNichols recognizes that the actual recital is a ‘thrill.’ “The students root for each other and share in the success of entertaining the audience,” mentioned McNichols.
“It is a sought-after opportunity to perform alongside the most driven and accomplished of their musical peers at SXU. This year’s performers are talented, of course, but even more, they share a love for performing, and a high level of expertise,” he said.
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