Arts
Vibrant Performances and Exhibits Energize Campus
The final weeks of Muskingum University’s Spring 2023 semester were highlighted with vibrant performances and the annual Senior Art Exhibition.
The April 30 “Spring Pops Concert” featured the Muskingum University Wind Ensemble and the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds. The program included selections from John Williams, video games, and a jazz set with applied voice faculty member Stacey Russell Welker ’16 and community musicians Len Thomas ‘52, George DeLancey, and Bill Armstrong.
Muskie Rocks performed April 23 for Muskiepalooza, May 5 outside of Coles Aircraft Gallery as the featured musicians for ArtCOZ musicians of the month for the First Friday Artwalk in downtown Zanesville, and on April 7 at Weasel Boy Brewing in Zanesville.
“To See a World”, the April 21 Spring Choir Concert presented by the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers featured selections from around the world, including pieces in nine languages – English, isiXhosa, Icelandic, German, Latvian, Latin, Quechua, Irish, and Japanese – and a song by contemporary composer Reena Esmail using Hindustani syllables meant to mimic percussion sounds.
The Musical Theatre Ensemble’s April 18 spring program “A Cabaret in Seven Acts,” was a nod to William Shakespeare. Researching musical theatre repertoire, the ensemble students identified songs representing each of the seven ages as defined by the famous “All the World’s a Stage” monologue in Shakespeare’s As You Like It - Act II, Scene VII. Selections from “Rent,” “The Last Five Years,” “The Addams Family,” and other popular musicals were featured.
The Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra’s season finale “Movies, Musicals, and Television,” highlighted popular favorites.
The Jazz Ensemble performed on April 24, and on April 13 the Chamber Ensembles Concert showcased the Bassoon Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Clarinet Choir, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, and Steel Drum Band.
On April 16, guest pianist Gerald Lee, Professor of Piano at West Virginia University, presented a recital of works by Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Franz Schubert, and Alexander Scriabin on April 12.
Senior Recitals featured Sarah Heading ’23 saxophone, David Hochstetler ’23 percussion, and David McDonald ’23 voice.
The Senior Art Exhibition at Palmer Gallery showcased works by Natilie Hill ’23, Elizabeth Clouse ’23, Jamie Gladwell ’23, Amanda McLaughlin ’23, and Kody Melvin ’23. The exhibit ran from April 18-April 27, with an opening reception celebrating these seniors and their accomplishments.
