Benjamin Bacni, a 2014 BM in horn performance alum, has been appointed the new Principal horn for the Topeka Symphony, Topeka, Kansas, after extensive auditions. Benjamin had recently moved to Kansas to begin his MM in horn performance at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music at UMKC. More information about the Topeka Symphony can be found at: www.topekasymphony.org
Monthly Archives: August 2014
Lauren Oberle ’13 Hired as Orchestra Director in Parsons, Kansas
College of Musical Arts Alum, Lauren Oberle, hired as the new Orchestra Director at the Parsons (KS) Public and Catholic Schools. Lauren grew up in Sylvania, OH and went to Sylvania Northview High School. She was involved in many events during high school, including honors orchestra, regional orchestra, and Toledo youth orchestra.
I went to BGSU for music education. During her time there, she played violin in the BG Philharmonia and several chamber groups. Lauren also taught in the Music Plus and the PATHE programs. She student taught in Bowling Green schools with Shawn Hudson and spent last year teaching part time general music. Lauren is now teaching K-12 strings in Parsons, KS.
Lydia Dempsey, student composer, receives Honorable Mention for “Passage”
Lydia received Honorable Mention in the 2014 International Association of Women in Music Search for New Music competition (Ellen Taafe Zwillich Prize division) for her composition “Passage” for chamber ensemble.
New Alumni Landing Page
The College of Musical Arts has a new Alumni page! Check here often for stories about all the accomplishments our alumni are achieving and to read about all the adventures they are having. You can also donate, update or add your information, and even submit your own stories. We always love hearing the amazing stories our alumni have and want to share them with the rest of the world.
If you or someone you know have am alumni story they wish to share, just click the “Submit Your News” button and fill out the form. If you have any pictures please send them directly to CMA Publications. We always enjoy seeing pictures and will add them to your story. The CMA Publication Office will review your story and will contact you via email if we have any questions.
Errin Brooks, Alumni ’09-12, Wins Vocal Arts Competition for Emerging Artists
Errin recently won a National Competition called the Vocal Arts Competition for Emerging Artists sponsored by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women Club, Inc., (NANBPWC) to promote and support young black singers. He first heard about the competition from Myra Merritt in 2010 and after competing that year he placed 4th in Nationals. The age limit then was only 25 until they raised it to 30 in 2013 so he tried again this Summer. This time, however, he was able to win the competition while singing Scaramuccio and covering Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos with Opera Theater Pittsburgh.
Errin was sponsored locally by the Toledo Club and Maumee Club then represented the North Central District in the National Finals both years in which he competed.
“So it has just been a blessed Summer for me this year and I am truly grateful!!! I really appreciate it. Although I am with Chicago Opera Theater/Roosevelt University’s Young Artist/Artist Diploma Program, BGSU will always be my home!!!”
Andrew Pelletier, horn, featured artist at the 46th International Horn Symposium
Andrew Pelletier, Associate Professor of Horn, will be a featured artist at the 46th International Symposium of the International Horn Society (IHS). He will be featured alongside some of the most talented horn players in the world including but not limited to: the American Horn Quartet, the The Budapest Festival Horn Quartet, New York Philharmonic Horns, Berliner Philharmoniker Horns, Richard Watkins from the Royal Academy of Music, London, and Frank Lloyd. The IHS will be held for the first time in London, England; at the Imperial College from August 11-15, 2014. He’ll be presenting the world premieres of Kerry Turner’s “Couperin Variations” for horn and piano and BGSU’s Christopher Dietz’s “Signal” for horn and two percussionists; as well as the UK premiere of BGSU alumnus Cory Kasprzyk’s “Chugach” for horn and electronic media. He will also perform the “Hamburg Concerto” for horn and orchestra by Gyorgy Ligeti at the end of the week. This is the sixth International Horn Society Symposium that Pelletier has been an invited soloist.