University of Northern Iowa UNI ScholarWorks Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa Magazines Fall 2010 Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa, v29, Fall 2010 University of Northern Iowa. School of Music. Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy Copyright ©2010 School of Music, University of Northern Iowa; Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/musicnews Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the Music Commons Recommended Citation University of Northern Iowa. School of Music., "Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa, v29, Fall 2010" (2010). Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa. 7. https://scholarworks.uni.edu/musicnews/7 This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by the Magazines at UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Rhythms: Music at the University of Northern Iowa by an authorized administrator of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Fall 2010 Music at the University of Northern Iowa Dear Friends: Greetings from the University B.A., Jazz Studies, Music Technology, of Northern Iowa! Our ongoing String Pedagogy or Performing Arts celebrations, connected with the Management tracks. These new B.A. opening of the newly renovated Russell specialties give students more choices Hall and the 10-year anniversary of the and will prepare them for professional Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts careers and changes occurring in the Center, have given us time to reflect 21st century. The faculty will maintain on the our past accomplishments and the high quality musicianship standards the vast opportunities available for our expected of traditional B.A. students, John Vallentine, Director future students. Music at UNI has played while offering a diversity of new courses a significant role in the history of the available to all musicians. Experiences like the Dalai Lama university, with courses being offered performance continue to motivate during its founding in 1876. At that time students to dream about future music was part of the Art Department possibilities and the events that will until 1892, when each specialty became shape or enhance their lives. Inside its own independent department. this newsletter, you will read about Change, which was apparent from those the continuing accomplishments of early days, continues as the School of our students, alumni and faculty. From Music joins a newly formed College teachers in the public schools, to those emanating from the consolidation of performing music locally, nationally, or the College of Humanities and Fine Arts around the globe, you will find that we and the College of Natural Sciences. are proud of their ongoing successes. We feel very fortunate that our new Our UNI student enrollments are Dean, Joel Haack, formerly the Dean strong and high quality music-making UNI President Ben Allen and Provost continues to be our trademark. We look of the College of Natural Sciences, is a Gloria Gibson present His Holiness pianist; and Provost Gloria Gibson, who forward to our leadership role as the the Dalai Lama with an honorary “music education” school in the state of appointed him, is also a pianist. While doctorate. President Ben Allen is not a pianist, Iowa and the United States. Our stellar we felt fortunate to have an economist One of the highlights for the performances and expanding liberal at the helm during one of the most School of Music this year included a arts programs will continue to serve in challenging fiscal times in the history major performance presented during our school’s role as a national model of of the university. UNI has continued the visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai excellence. to move forward because of strong Lama of Tibet. UNI student performing Please join us and visit Cedar Falls leadership, dedicated faculty members, ensembles and faculty conductors were on your next journey in Iowa. We’d love quality students and many generous involved in a special large-scale music to welcome you to campus. supporters. composition as part of the Dalai Lama’s While our strong music education keynote address. Faculty composer Sincerely, and performance degree programs Jonathan Schwabe wrote and premiered continue, I’m pleased to report that our the new composition and dedicated it faculty have made sweeping curriculum to the Dalai Lama. His Holiness lauded changes to enhance the Bachelor of the standing ovation performance by John Vallentine Arts degree program. Beginning this bringing the composer back on stage Professor & Director fall, students may select the general for special recognition. 2309.0-10.1SOM-Rhythms10.indd 1 8/30/10 4:10 PM School of Music Ensembles Perform for Dalai Lama omposer and UNI School of Music honor of this once-in-a-lifetime visit by choirs and Wind Symphony were met professor Jonathan Schwabe His Holiness to the Cedar Falls area. with roaring applause and accolades Cpresented the world premiere of Schwabe’s compositions have been following the performance. The Dalai a new composition titled, “Follow” at featured at the Spoleto Festival, the Lama himself was so moved by the the May 18 keynote address by His Eastman School of Music, the Society piece that, after accepting the original Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the of Composer’s Midwest Festival and score as a gift from Schwabe, he McLeod Center on the UNI campus. the Kennedy Center as well as dozens presented Schwabe with a white scarf of performances in Cedar Falls. and bowed to him in thanks. The The performance featured over performance was an awe-inspiring 200 UNI music students from the UNI experience for all student and faculty Men’s Glee Club, Concert Chorale, UNI musicians involved. Singers, UNI Children’s Choir and the Northern Iowa Wind Symphony. The student musicians performed under the baton of conductor Ronald Johnson, who has served in the School of Music as Professor of Instrumental Jonathan Schwabe presents The bound Conducting for manuscript of “Follow” to His Holiness over 25 years. He the Dalai Lama. has appeared as a guest conductor Schwabe currently serves as throughout the U.S. Professor of Theory and Composition and in Switzerland, in the School of Music at UNI. His Hungary, Italy, composition was inspired by a verse China, Germany, The performance featured UNI music students from the UNI titled “Joy” one of 423 verses of the Hong Kong and Varsity Men’s Glee Club, Concert Chorale, UNI Singers, UNI Dhammapada—a masterpiece of Israel. Children’s Choir and the Northern Iowa Wind Symphony Buddhist literature—and written in The combined under the baton of conductor Ronald Johnson. 2 2309.0-10.1SOM-Rhythms10.indd 2 8/30/10 4:10 PM Varsity Men’s Glee Club Tours Italy and Celebrates 50 years The UNI Varsity Men’s Glee Club to the extraordinary performance several members stayed here in Iowa launched a celebration of its 50-year opportunities, the Glee Club members and were able to join the combined anniversary with a thrilling tour to Italy were immersed in the culture of School of Music choir that performed this spring. The group of students Italy, and were able to visit the at the May 18 visit of His Holiness the and alumni traveled through Galleria dell’ Accademia (the 14th Dalai Lama. Both the men on Rome, Venice, Florence home of Michelangelo’s tour and those at home in Iowa were and more on their ten-day David) and the famous thrilled to be a part of these once-in-a- adventure, enjoying the Venetian glass factories. lifetime experiences. sights, sounds and culture Reflecting on the Because the UNI Varsity Men’s of Italy. Most notably, tour, Glee Club member Glee Club turns 50 years old in 2010, the group was offered Ian Goldsmith stated, the men are planning a celebration the honor of performing “Someone once said, worthy of this historic achievement, several pieces for the ‘Life is not about the set for the first weekend in December mass at St. Peter’s Basilica number of breaths you 2010. All Glee Club alumni and friends in Rome including “Salvation take; it’s about the moments are invited. Please visit the Glee Club is Created,” “Promised Land,” “Dona that take your breath away.’ If that is web site for more information at Nobis Pacem,” and “Ave Maria.” true, then I’m sure many of the men in www.unigleeclub.com. The group also performed at St. the University of Northern Iowa Glee Francis Basilica, home to the tomb Club have never felt more alive than Editor’s note: Thank you to Paul of St. Francis of Assisi, and at several during the 2010 summer trip to Italy.” Marlow and Ian Goldsmith for their cathedrals throughout Bologna, Padua, While their Glee Club brothers contributions to this article. and Marocco Di Mogliano. In addition were touring the Italian countryside, The UNI Varsity Varsity Men’s Glee Club, under the direction of Fred Kiser, at the Coliseum in Rome, Italy 3 2309.0-10.1SOM-Rhythms10.indd 3 8/30/10 4:10 PM Texas Tenor on a Wild Ride UNI alumnus John Hagen (B.M. deep musicality” making his Lincoln ’87) began a wild ride in the summer Center debut in New York City in Teatro of 2009 when his newly formed trio, Grattacielo’s mounting of Mascagni’s the “Texas Tenors,” auditioned for the Gulglielmo Ratcliff. Hagen created three popular NBC television series “America’s tenor roles in the world premier of The Got Talent.” A few months later, Hagen Lost Dauphane for Pamiro Opera airing was performing live for millions on on PBS. John has performed a vast array national television, where the Texas of operatic roles ranging from Alfredo Tenors out-performed the competition in La Traviata to the title role of Otello landing them in the top four finalists of for Cleveland Opera on tour.