Last week, a good portion of our music faculty and staff, Music Education students, and the University Symphony Orchestra traveled to Colorado Springs for the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic and Conference. The annual event is an exciting opportunity for the Colorado Music Education community to collectively connect, share, and learn.
CSU faculty served the conference with eighteen presentations focused on research, methodology, and technique. Additionally, the University Symphony Orchestra played in the premier time slot on Friday, Jan. 29, performing John Adams’ “The Chairman Dances: Foxtrot for Orchestra” from Nixon in China and George Gershwin’s Catfish Row; Symphonic Suite from Porgy and Bess. The concert was conducted by Wes Kenney and featured Tim Burns, piano, Tiffany Blake Oliver, soprano, and John Seesholtz, baritone. Following the event, Dr. Dan Goble, director of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance received a note of positive feedback from Kip Mason at Boulder High School:
Dear Dr. Goble,
I couldn’t wait to send my congratulations to you and everyone at CSU for the wonderful performance given today by the CSU Symphony Orchestra at the CMEA Clinic/Conference. The full and professional sound of the group along with the innovative programming made it, for me, the high point of this year’s Clinic/Conference. I am sure you already know what a treasure you have in Maestro Kenney. He is hugely responsible for the growth in both the number of musicians and in their quality throughout the department. He is most highly regarded among orchestra directors and orchestral musicians throughout our state.
Especially gratifying for me is the chance to hear four of my former students performing today and (most important) to hear them effervesce about their love for the CSU School of Music. They are thrilled with the education they are getting there and with their orchestral experiences. I regularly send students to CSU for Music and am gratified that these experiences continue to be the case for them. Again, my congratulations, and I look forward to hearing the orchestra again at All-State Orchestra.
Sincerely,
Katharine (Kip) Mason, PhD
Director of Orchestras, Boulder High School
Maestro Wes Kenney reflected on Dr. Mason’s kind words with an inclusive thank you to his colleagues:
“Although Kip gives me much credit, I know better. An orchestra, especially a university orchestra, garners success from the many hands that have prepared the students. This starts with recruitment, but also includes informing our charges with historical, theoretical, and of course applied knowledge. It also requires administrative support, so thanks to our office staff that helped with logistics, put out a beautiful program, and helped record the event. As I mentioned in an email last fall, such a performance celebrates all of our work as a School of Music, Theatre and Dance. It is my hope that on this unexpected snow day away from campus that we can take the time to reflect on our accomplishments. Let me be the first to say congratulations and again, thank you!”
