The Avalon Trio named third in nation at NYC conference

Trio ranked in top three chamber ensembles in nation with University of Illinois and Central Washington University

Lipscomb University’s Avalon Trio was named one of the top three chamber ensembles in the nation at a conference in New York City on March 24.

The Avalon Trio placed third in the Music Teachers National Association’s chamber competition at the 2012 national conference. The Anansazi String Quartet from the University of Illinois and Trio Mundana from Central Washington University finished first and second in the competition.

The Avalon Trio’s performance of Mendelssohn’s Trio No. 2 in C minor and Paul Schoenfield’s “Café Music” earned them third place in the national competition. They qualified for the national competition after winning state and regional MTNA affiliate conferences leading up to this event.

“They played fabulously – as well as they can possibly play. It’s a huge honor. They placed higher than universities with well-established music schools such as Rice University and ensembles comprised mostly of graduate students,” said Jerome Reed, Patricia and Rodes Hart professor of piano at Lipscomb.

The ensemble is comprised of Julian Calvin, piano; Joel Campbell, violin; and Kenneth Coca, cello. They group has played together for three years.

Interview with the Avalon Trio

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Composition senior Zac Swann attended the European American Musical Alliance summer program at the historic Scholar Cantorum in Paris, France. This program offers intensive study of the crafts of counterpoint, harmony, analysis, and musicianship as well as composition and chamber music performance taught by professors from prestigious universities worldwide.

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Choral Composer Presents Clinic for Music Students

Choral and composition students had an opportunity to interact with an outstanding professional in their field when composer and conductor Dan Gawthrop visited Lipscomb University for a one-day workshop on January 26. Gawthrop is best known for his choral music, which includes works both sacred and secular, both accompanied and a cappella. His best-known work is perhaps "Sing Me To Heaven," a piece for unaccompanied choir which performing groups and audiences have found so profoundly moving that an entire page of the Dunstan House publishers' website is devoted to "Sing Me to Heaven" stories.

Mr. Gawthrop conducted sessions on commissioning a new piece and working with the composer to create it, and on making a living as a composer. He served as guest conductor and clinician for both the Lipscomb High School Concert Chorus (performing "Sing Me to Heaven") conducted by Robert King, and the Lipscomb University A Cappella Singers (presenting Gawthrop's "Prayer for Grace") conducted by Dr. Gary Wilson. The A Cappella Singers also performed a new piece by junior composition student Julian Calvin, "House of Jacob," for Mr. Gawthrop to evaluate and critique. In addition to his work with Julian Calvin's piece, he spent time with composition major Zac Swann's writing in an afternoon session for composition students.

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Congratulations to these students of Helen Gleason and Dr. Jerome Reed, who were given awards in the 2011 Tennessee Music Teachers Association state competition:

Evan Booher, Winner, 11th grade piano
Jeru Jorguenson, Runner-up, Senior piano
(Jeru is a freshman music major at Lipsomb.)

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Faculty & Friends
Jean Miller, soprano, Marcus Miller, baritone, and Duff Harris, baritone
January 25, 8:00 p.m., Ward Hall

The Department of Music is always pleased to present its private instructors in recital. This month,Jean Miller, joined by Department of Music alumni Marcus Miller and Duff Harris, will present a program of music from modern American composers. While the music of Carlisle Floyd will be featured prominently (including two arias from Susannah), the recital will also include works by Samuel Barber, Lee Hoiby, and Vincent Youmans. As a finale, the three vocalists will join in an ensemble piece from Leonard Bernstein's On the Town. The pianist for the recital will be Amy Tate Williams, who serves as rehearsal accompanist and choirmaster for the Nashville Opera. This program is free and open to the public.

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Professor Hughes Receives National Recognition

In September, 2009, Dr. Marcia Hughes traveled to Tampa, Florida to receive the Faculty Advisor Award of Excellence from the Professional Fraternity Association. The national award was given in recognition of her service and accomplishment as longtime advisor of Lipscomb University's Zeta Omicron chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Dr. Hughes spoke on her work with SAI.