News

Music Alumni News

Andrew Robinson ’10 Takes Valpo to the Podium

Jessica Myhr ’99 Reich Builds Her Artistic Empire

Hannah Koby Wins Organ Prizes at CIM!

picture of two faculty

Alumni Organ Recital

Jan. 29, 2019 – An organ recital in honor of William Eifrig and Philip Gehring was held in the Chapel of the Resurrection. Alumni Barbara Raedeke (’72), Louise Mundinger (’78), Paul Grime (’81), John Bernthal (’70), and Larry Long (’78) performed along with Visiting Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Sunghee Kim. Afterward those in attendance were invited to celebrate with Professors Eifrig and Gehring over dinner.

MESA represents at NAMM

students posing at NAMM

Jan. 23-27, 2019 – Music Enterprise Student Association (MESA) had the opportunity to escape the cold on their exciting trip to the NAMM convention in Anaheim, CA. Anna Jones, Hannah Forton, and Juliana Johnson received the NAMM President’s Innovation Award. It was certainly a trip full of accomplishments for the group this year!

Jan. 23-27, 2019 – Valparaiso University students Ahnnabella Kolacki, sophomore music industry and marketing major, and Alyssa Serviss, junior music industry major, were invited to intern with GenNext-CMS at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) conference in Anaheim, California. NAMM and the College Music Society (CMS) have partnered together to give NAMM Members the opportunity to partake in the GenNext-CMS internship program. It is designed to offer students a unique alternative to the classroom curriculum of their college or university, so that they may participate in the Association aspects of the music products industry. The purpose of this internship is to offer students insight into how the Association works with respect to administration, event planning & management, communications, meetings & events, membership services, professional development and trade shows. Ahnnabella and Alyssa are pictured on the right.

armistice day poster

War and the Human Heart

Nov. 11, 2018 – A chorus of voices performed a concert in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1. The signing of the armistice brought about the end of the war and yet its effects are still felt today. With members of the Valparaiso University Chorale, Men’s Ensemble, Bach Choir, Valparaiso High School Varsity Singers, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia the concert boasted a brilliant chorus of male voices to remember and honor the voices of all who fought in the war. The concert presented music for the instrument, the voice, and the soul as narrations were read and the audience was guided through a memorial service. While the concert focused on the lives affected and lost by World War 1 and the many battles that have followed, the last piece offered a glimmer of hope as Daniel Elder’s Dona Nobis Pacem asks for the granting of peace.

Music of Johan de Meij

band poster
Nov. 3, 2018 – The Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band and Windiana Concert Band, under the direction of Johan de Meij, world premiered his Symphony No. 5: Return to Middle Earth in the Chapel of the Resurrection. With a massed high school chorus from Kankakee Valley, Lowell, Michigan City, Munster, Washington Township, and Wheeler the premiere featured almost 200 students from around the area. The concert began with a performance of de Meij’s Symphony No. 1: The Lord of the Rings (1988) celebrating the 30th anniversary of its premiere as almost every seat in the chapel was taken and many stood lining the walls.

The performance also saw Professor Jeffrey Doebler, director of music education and bands, presented with the State of Indiana Office of the Governor’s Distinguished Hoosier Award. The honor recognizes individuals who distinguish themselves through significant contributions to their communities and have earned the respect and admiration of Hoosiers across the state.