Student Scholarship & Performance

Jessica Saunders, ‘08
Major: Music Performance
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, Iowa

The Kalevala: Recreating the Finnish National Identity through Music

Poster presented at the National Collegiate Honors Council National Conference 2006, Philadelphia, Penn.

Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Mariah Birgen, Associate Professor of Mathematics

This poster addressed how the sung Kalevala, Finland’s National Epic, was instrumental in recreating the Finnish National identity in the time before and after Finland gained its independence from Russia in 1917. Historical genesis, musical characteristics, and modern influences of the Kalevala were also mentioned. Saunders also performed an opera aria from Igor Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress during a master class and participated in the critique workshop that followed.

Joshua Evanovich, ‘07
Majors: Applied Music/Business Administration
Hometown: Washington, Iowa

Hymn Arrangements
Christmas with Wartburg 2006

Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Craig Hancock, Associate Professor of Music

For the Christmas with Wartburg hymn arrangements, I composed an instrumental introduction to establish the tune and flow of both hymns, followed by a standard harmonization to support the singing. I also included an alternative harmonization with a descant for the last verse of each hymn, as well as an instrumental coda. The style of the hymn “O Come Little Children” seemed to call for a broad, harmonically rich sound, so I wrote a choral harmonization with embedded text for the Wartburg Choir to sing for each verse. Because the melody of the hymn “I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve” is not particularly familiar, I was asked to prepare a melodic extract (melody line with corresponding text) to appear in the program. All of this required advanced skills with music notation software, preparing not only the full score, but also the individual parts for wind instruments, choir, and congregation.

Concert of Original Compositions “Sing a New Song”
Community concert, August 2006

Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Karen Black

A special anniversary celebration in the United Methodist Church in Washington, Iowa called for new music and arrangements. The program included my compositions and arrangements of familiar hymns and spiritual songs written for solo piano, for piano/organ duet, and for voice with piano accompaniment. Two selections were written in the form of a hymn-concerto, with the audience singing several verses. Because some of the songs did not exist in the public domain, I secured permissions and/or licenses to perform them in public. The audience response to the concert was very gratifying, and the opportunity to create new music for the concert allowed me to use the musical skills I have gained at Wartburg.

Johanna Hettinga, ‘07
Major: Music Therapy/Music Education
Hometown: Ringle , WI

Katey Krull, '07
Major: Music Therapy/Music Education
Hometown: Floyd , IA PSE and exercise in long-term care: A preliminary study Poster Session for AMTA National Conference and conference session for AMTA Regional Conference

Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Cynthia Bane, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Professor Marjorie O'Konski, Assistant Professor of Music

Results from previous studies indicate that exercise interventions for older adults have positive effects on mobility. Performing activities correctly and with adequate effort increases the benefit gained from exercise. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of Patterned Sensory Enhancement (PSE), a neurologic music therapy technique, on exercise adherence. Forty-five participants living in long-term care facilities took part in at least three sessions of exercise with background music and at least three sessions of exercise with PSE music. Observers who were blind to condition coded videotapes for number of repetitions, adherence to modeled movements, range of motion, and form. Results showed stronger adherence to modeled movements during PSE sessions than during background music sessions for three of 19 exercises. The results indicate that PSE could be useful in encouraging participants to perform exercises at the correct pace.

Travis Beck, ‘06
Major: Church Music
Hometown: Nashua , IA Tenebrae factae sunt

Performed by Wartburg Choir on Europe and South Africa TourFaculty Sponsors: Dr. Suzanne Torkelson, Dr. Paul Torkelson, Professors of MusicMy inspiration for the work came from a spiritual the Wartburg Choir looked at about the crucifixion. While searching for various sacred Latin texts I found Tenebrae Factae Sunt and knew that this was the text I wanted to use.The compositional process for the work took about three months. The piece opens with a chant-like sound. The minor sound of the opening three notes and the sparse texture help paint the idea of “darkness” in a very haunting way. I used word painting as my primary compositional technique while trying to convey certain moods in the different sections. For example, the choir crescendos through the phrase “Jesus cried out in a loud voice” to emphasize the idea of loud crying, holding a dissonant chord at the end to illustrate Jesus' angst. The volume peaks during the next phrase as Jesus asks why God has forsaken him, with the use of dissonant harmonies to reinforce tension.The next section conveys a distinctly calmer feeling, emphasizing the ideas of Jesus' acceptance and surrender as He gives up his spirit to his Father. The voice parts and dynamics gradually diminish until we are left with a quiet unison as the sound is dying away, emphasizing the giving up of Jesus' spirit as he dies on the cross.

Laura Blair, ‘07
Major: Music Performance
Hometown: Humboldt , IA

Glenn Miller Voice Competition National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition
Faculty Sponsor: Ms. Rosemary Gast, Lecturer in Music

Laura's recent accomplishments include being awarded third place in the Glenn Miller Voice Competition and being chosen to perform with the Cedar Rapids Theatre Young Artists Program. Laura also received Honorable Mention at the finals of the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition and sang the role of “Papagena” in Wartburg College 's production of Mozart's “The Magic Flute”.

Jessica Saunders, ‘08
Major: Music Performance
Hometown: Pleasant Hill , IA

Jack Pullan Scholarship for VoicePleasant Hill Labor Day Talent Show
Faculty Sponsor: Ms. Rosemary Gast, Lecturer in Music

Jessica Saunders, soprano, is the daughter of James and Kari Saunders. Jessica was awarded the Jack Pullan Scholarship for Voice in the Glenn Miller Festival in Clarinda Iowa . Jessica also competed in the Pleasant Hill Labor Day Talent Show and was awarded first place. In the fall, Jessica was chosen to perform with the Opera Chorus of the Quad Cities Company Highlights Concert. Jessica also performed two roles in the Wartburg College production of “The Magic Flute” and participates in the Wartburg Honors Program.

Mara Schack, ‘06
Major: Music Therapy/Music Education
Hometown: Waverly, IA

Central Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition
Faculty Sponsor: Ms. Rosemary Gast, Lecturer in Music

Mara Schack, soprano, is a senior Music Education and Therapy Major at Wartburg College . Mara was recently awarded third place in the finals of the Central Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition held in Peoria , Illinois . She has been a frequent soloist with the Castle Singers and performed the role of Marian in Wartburg College 's production of “The Music Man”.

Christina Schipper, ‘07
Major: Music Performance
Hometown: Aplington , IA

National Association of Teachers of Singing CompetitionIowa National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition
Faculty Sponsor: Ms. Rosemary Gast, Lecturer in Music

Christina Schipper is a junior vocal performance major. In October, she was a finalist at the Central Regional National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition. The following month, she was selected as a finalist in the Iowa National Association of Teachers of Singing competition. Christina performed the challenging role of the Queen of the Night in Wartburg College 's production of Mozart's “The Magic Flute”.

Christopher Smith, ‘06
Major: Music Performance
Hometown: Milton , WI

Skylight Opera Theatre Award Milwaukee Music Teacher's Association, Inc. Award Wisconsin District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions
Faculty Sponsor: Ms. Rosemary Gast, Lecturer in Music

Chris is a senior Vocal Performance major from Milton , WI . He was recently honored with two special awards at the Wisconsin District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions: the Skylight Opera Theatre Award for unusual dramatic talent, interesting presence, and vivid projection of text and music and the Milwaukee Music Teacher's Association, Inc. Award. He also was awarded Honorable Mention in the finals of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.Chris has had major roles in the Wartburg College Productions of the “Music Man”, “Magic Flute”, “Impressario”, and “ Oedipus Tex ”.

Rachel Vickers, ‘09
Major: Music Education
Hometown: De Witt , IA

Iowa Music Teachers Association Competition
Faculty Sponsor: Ms. Rosemary Gast, Lecturer in Music