ISSUED: 16 March 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Costa
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Mark your calendars for the 2023 School of Music’s Musical Showcase for Scholarships on Saturday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater. The evening’s program will feature performances by the exceptional faculty, students, and School of Music alumni, in an effort to raise much-needed scholarship money.
Highlights of the evening include solo performances by alumna soprano Lawren Hill, and current students—saxophonist Jacob Miner, vocalist Ben Smith, and percussionist Anthony Domina.
Pianist Dr. Yu-Hsuan Liao, associate professor of music, along with husband-and-wife alumni pianist Heidi Macaluso and percussionist Anthony Stoika, will perform “Libertango,” by Astor Piazzolla, transcribed by Kyoko Yamamoto and adapted by Liao for piano four hands and percussion.
Adjunct faculty professors Richard Polonchak on Bassoon and Greg Shook on oboe, with pianist Dr. Laura Renninger will present Lalliet’s “Terzetto for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano.” Adjunct faculty Dr. Tula Ruggiero on harp will perform a composition by alumnus Walker Williams.
Adjunct faculty Andrea Diggs on flute and Dr. Erica Rumbley, clinical faculty of musicology and collaborative piano, will perform “Tacos and Strawberries,” a piece for flute and piano composed by Dr. Stefan Swanson, assistant professor of music theory, composition, and technology.
The evening will also include a performance of a composition by a current student and conclude with a performance by a choir of Shepherd music alumni. The audience is invited to a meet-the-artists dessert reception in the McCoy Rehearsal Hall following the concert.
Dr. Mary J. C. Hendrix, Shepherd president, will once again serve as honorary chair of the event. The Showcase Committee is co-chaired by Dr. Marcia Brand and Alan B. Gibson.
Over the last six years, this event has brought in more than $200,000 for student recruitment and retention. The phenomenal support from the Musical Showcase for Scholarships is essential to maintaining enrollment and reaching the projection of 120 strategically selected music majors.
Tickets are $100, $85 of which is tax-deductible. For more information, to purchase tickets, or donate, visit the Musical Showcase for Scholarships webpage.
For information about Showcase for Scholarships sponsorship, email Christine Meyer or call her at 304-876-5526.
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