MU Music Dept. Hits High Notes
Shelby Harrell
Anticipation built among the Manchester University A Cappella choir and band ensembles Friday night as students, parents and alumni filled the seats in Cordier Auditorium for the annual Homecoming band and choir concert.
The concert, an event that continues to be upheld as a Homecoming tradition, enables alumni of the Manchester University music department to reconnect with fellow members while allowing current members of the music department to showcase their talents.
Emily Lynn, a first-year vocal performance student whose mother, Professor Debra Lynn, has been the director of choral studies for the past 10–15 years, says that she has known most of the alumni for many years. “Most of the alumni were my babysitters when I was little,” Emily Lynn said.
With their Homecoming performance completed and the season underway, members of the A Cappella choir are confident in their performances for the beginning of the season. “I think it went well,” Professor Lynn said. “We’ve come a very long way since our first day and everyone was really focused.” As the director, Lynn is very excited about upcoming performances throughout the season. “Our goal this year is to grow,” she said.
Jeremiah Sanders, a 2014 graduate of the Manchester University music department, also describes the program as exciting. “The music department was an exciting place to be,” Sanders said. “I liked the close-knit relationships and I liked the faculty members’ ability to challenge and support while creating a fun musical environment.”
After graduating from the program, Sanders has sought to further his education in music. “I’m obtaining my master’s degree in vocal performance from Butler University,” he said. “I’m also looking for a doctoral program in vocal performance.” So far he has considered Indiana University, Yale University, The Juilliard School of Dance, Drama, and Music and Michigan State. “I’m looking for schools with good teachers and a lot of performing opportunities,” Sanders said.
Much like Sanders, Emily Lynn also aspires to study vocal performance after graduation. “I want to pursue a performance degree for two years,” Lynn said. “After that I hope to obtain a career in opera.” In addition, she also describes the experience of the music department as exciting. “It’s definitely more challenging, but reasonable,” Lynn said. “I really feel I could improve.”
With rehearsals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. for the remainder of the 2016–2017 school year, the Manchester University A Cappella Choir will definitely have the opportunity to see substantial improvement.
In addition to the Homecoming concert, the choir also has a number of performances scheduled in which they once again perform with the Manchester Symphonic Band and the Chamber Singers. “We have some really exciting performances coming up,” Professor Lynn said, “including the peacemakers’ concert as well as Brahm’s requiem in March.” The peacemakers’ concert is scheduled to take place on Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. in Cordier Auditorium. Lynn also advises any potential music majors to contact her department.