This event is free and open to the public.
vocal
Songs of the Theatre Fall 2023 Concert
Senior Voice Recital – Aaron Rishel, baritone
PROGRAM
Im Frühling – Franz Schubert
Ganymed – Franz Schubert
Sonntag – Johannes Brahms
Deh vieni alla finestra from Don Giovanni – W.A. Mozart
La ci darem la mano from Don Giovanni – W.A. Mozart
with Tiffani Jernigan, soprano
When I was One and Twenty – George Butterworth
Is My Team Ploughing from Six Songs from a Shropshire Lad – George Butterworth
I Never Knew from AIDS Quilt Songbook – Ricky Ian Gordon
Walt Whitman in 1989 from AIDS Quilt Songbook – Chris DeBlasio
Avant de quitter ces lieux from Faust – Charles Gounod
Agony from Into the Woods – Steven Sondheim
with Ricky Dubuisson II, baritone
Losing My Mind from Follies – Steven Sondheim
BIOGRAPHY
Aaron Rishel is a senior studying vocal performance at The W. Aaron was very active performing in musical theatre for the past decade on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He was a student of Westley Hodges for voice, piano, and saxophone; Brandon Ring for voice, MGCCC Perkinston Campus; and currently studies under the tutelage of Dr. Susan Hurley.
He enjoyed attending the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta for many years and working with iTheatrics in New York City during the summers helping to make musicals into versions for students. Aaron was also cast with iTheatrics All-Star National JTF Europe Cast and performed at the inaugural JTF Europe, Birmingham, UK, in May 2019.
Aaron would like to thank everyone who has supported him throughout his endeavors.
This recital is given in partial fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music (Performance).
Aaron Rishel is from the studio of Dr. Susan Hurley.
Fall Recital 2023
Senior Voice Recital – Shakia Butler, soprano
PROGRAM
El Majo Timido – Enrique Granados
Chi vuol la zingarella – Giovanni Paisíello
Panis Angelicus – César Franck
Deep River – Moses Hogan
It’s Me, O Lord – Betty King Jackson
The Trolley Song from Meet Me in St. Louis – Ralph Blane & Hugh Martin
Stay with Me from Into the Woods – Stephen Sondheim
Almost There from The Princess and the Frog – Randy Newman
It’s a Quiet Thing from Flora the Red Menace – John Kander & Fred Ebb
Believe in Yourself from The Wiz – Charlie Smalls
BIOGRAPHY
Shakia Butler is a senior studying Music Education at the W. She will be graduating this December after completion of her internship. Shakia is a very active singer and actor who was born and raised in Columbus, MS by her parents Ricky and Felecia Butler. She grew up here singing with her sisters, church choir, and praise team. Before coming to the W, she gained her A.S. degree before her high school diploma at Golden Triangle Early College Highschool.
She has been in many productions since she was 8 years old: The Nutcracker, Honor and Respect, Aladdin, Handsome and the Red Chief, and many more. She has served in many choirs in schools and in the community. Her achievements consist of winning “Most Outstanding Vocalist” in Atlanta’s Music in the Park Festival; placing top honors in NATS here at the W during her freshman year; and placing 2nd in NATS Regionals last spring. Above all else, she enjoys serving as Praise and Worship Leader at A.I.J.C Church in West Point, MS.
She looks forward to sharing the beauty, joy, and inspiration that music brings to those who listen. Her goal and passion is to speak life, teach truth, and love into others through the gift of music. May God’s Grace, Mercy, Favor and Blessings be with you from this day and forward. She thanks the W and appreciates everyone who came tonight to share her gift with you all!
Joe L. Alexander Tribute Concert
PROGRAM
All songs performed this evening were composed by Dr. Joe L. Alexander.
Two Bryant Songs: 1. Song (These Prairies Glow with Flowers), 2. November – Tiffani Jernigan, soprano (MUW) & Kelly Williams (MUW, class of 2022)
Soundscapes for guitar and soundfile – Alan Goldspiel, guitar (University of Montevallo)
Drowned – Susan Hurley, soprano (MUW) & William Reber (MUW)
Salonika Fantasy – Daniel Immel, piano (Kutztown University of Pennsylvania)
Red Mountain Overture – Video Performance by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Chamber Trio: Denise Gainey, clarinet; James Zingara, trumpet; Chris Steele, piano
Summer Sounds Beckon Me & Blue Jay, Sing a Tune – MUW Chamber Singers directed by William Reber, director (MUW) & accompanied by Valentin M Bogdan, pianist
In Loving Memory of
Composer, tubist, and theory pedagogist, Dr. Joe L. Alexander, joined the Mississippi University of Women’s music faculty in the Fall of 2016. His music has been performed throughout the United States, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, Rwanda, Scotland and South Korea. His compositions have been performed on recitals at conferences of the Birmingham Art Music Alliance; the International Trumpet Guild Conference; the Louisiana Composers’ Consortium; the National Association of Composers, USA (NACUSA); the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors; the Society of Composers, Inc.; the College Music Society; the Southeastern Composers’ League, the International Tuba Euphonium Conference, and the NACUSA National Festival.
Dr. Alexander loved teaching and he was beloved by generations of his students. He will be missed.
W Music Student Showcase
Join the W Department of Music as we host a musical evening featuring an array of musical genres from our talented music majors!
Livestream will be available on the MUW Music Department website: https://www.muw.edu/…/muw-music-student-showcase-2024/
This event is free and open to the public.
Senior Voice Recital – Tiffani Jernigan, soprano
Join the W Department of Music as we celebrate our Music Performance senior, Tiffani Jernigan and her academic journey. Multiple genres will be featured during this concert including a piece written by one of our composition majors. Livestream and program for this concert is available on our website: https://www.muw.edu/music/virtual/senior-voice-recital-tiffani-jernigan-soprano/.
This event is free and open to the public.