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
Category Archives: alumni
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.
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!!!”
BGSU Alum Kisma Jordan named 2014 Kresge Artist Fellow in Music.
BGSU Alum Kisma Jordan, Masters of Music, 2006, named 2014 Kresge Artist Fellow in Music.
Kresge Arts in Detroit is honored to announce the 2014 Kresge Artist Fellows, including the inaugural fellowships in the new film/theatre category. This year, 18 metropolitan Detroit artists working across a wide range of artistic practices within the dance/music and film/theatre disciplines were selected to receive a fellowship, which includes an unrestricted prize of $25,000 to reward an artist’s creative vision and commitment to excellence.
The Kresge Artist Fellowships are funded by The Kresge Foundation and administered by the Kresge Arts in Detroit program of the College for Creative Studies. The fellowships program represents the foundation’s desire to advance the artistic careers of Detroit artists living and working in its hometown, as well as to elevate the profile of the area’s artistic community.
The work of the 2014 Fellows encompasses creative practices that push boundaries and blur lines between established disciplines, advocate for social justice and embody Detroit’s complex, evolving narrative. Representing the depth and multiplicity of Detroit’s artistic communities, the 2014 Kresge Artist Fellows include world-renowned musicians working in diverse genres, multidisciplinary artists incorporating sound and new media, local filmmakers presenting stories with universal themes, and emerging artists bringing fresh perspectives to their chosen mediums.
2014 College Alumni Awards – Gregory L. Snyder ’80
Gregory Snyder is in his 26th year as director of bands in the Lakota School District, West Chester, Ohio. He was at Lakota High School for nine year before moving to Lakota West High School the past 17 years. Snyder directs Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Red Band, Symphonic White Band and the Marching Firebirds. He also assists with two concert bands at Lakota West Freshman School. Previously, he worked in the Clyde-Green Springs (Ohio) School District.
Under Snyder’s direction, the Symphonic Winds has received a superior rating at Class AA Ohio Music Education Association state competition since 1998, and has performed at numerous clinics, festivals and tours in the U.S. and internationally.
The Lakota West Marching Firebirds have earned more than 50 grand champion awards and has performed in such parades as the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Sugar Bowl, the Waikiki Holiday Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, at Disney World and Universal Studios and in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2013. They will parade in the 126th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2015.
Snyder has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Bowling Green State University, and a master’s degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music, Chicago. He also has done additional work at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University.