We are excited to announce prominent achievements by several of our recent graduates.
Jess Langston Turner (MMus Trumpet Performance 2008) is pursuing a doctorate in music composition at Indiana University. He will also be serving as a teaching assistant in IU’s music theory department. In May, Jess was one of seven graduate students presented the Regents Award by the University of Hartford for outstanding scholarly achievement and activity, the University's highest academic honor.
John Robertson (BMus Piano Performance 2011) is pursuing a master’s degree in piano performance and pedagogy at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. John was awarded a teaching assistantship in the precollege program and also serves as an assistant to the director of choral activities.
Chris Erickson (BMus Cello Performance 2011) has begun study for a master’s degree in cello performance at the University of Kentucky. He has also been awarded a performing assistantship in UK’s School of Music.
John Chest (BMus 2007, Voice Performance) was named one of six finalists at the Queen Sonja International Music Competition 2011 held in Oslo, Norway. In the 2011/12 season he will sing the role of Ned Keene in a new production of Peter Grimes at the Norwegian Opera, Il Conte Almaviva in a new production of Le nozze di Figaro at the Nationale Reisopera, and Nardo in a new production of La finta giardiniera at the Aix en Provence Festival.
Rebecca Worthington (MMus Voice Performance 2009) teaches in the preparatory music department at Samford University. Her duties include teaching voice classes and private voice lessons. She also teaches non-major voice lessons at Samford.
This fall Mark Buller (MMus Church Music, Composition 2010) begins doctoral work in composition at the University of Houston.
John Hudson (MMus Church Music, Composition 2011) has been accepted into the graduate conducting program at Westminster Choir College. He will be studying with and serving as an assistant to renowned conductor James Jordon. In March 2011 John was selected as one of eight finalists in the Collegiate Choral Conducting contest (graduate division) sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association.
Sarah Bereza (BMus Organ Performance 2009) completed a master of music degree in musicology from the College-Conservatory of the University of Cincinnati. She is now at Duke University where she is pursuing a PhD in musicology.
Dr. Joel DuBois (MMus Church Music, Conducting 2000) recently graduated with honors from Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. He is currently attending Army Band Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) at the Army School of Music in Virginia Beach. Upon graduation from BOLC in October, he will assume duties as the executive officer of the Army School of Music.
Josh Hummel (BMus Church Music 2003) has completed a master’s degree in composition from Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Conn. This past year he received a number of awards—including the 2010 CBDNA/ASCAP Frederick Fennell Prize for band composition, the 2010 Diamente Prize for outstanding accomplishment in composition from the Hartt School of Music, and first place in the Spectrum Singers 2010 30th Anniversary Choral Competition, Northeast. His Haiku Symphony No. 2 for orchestra won the Austin Civic Orchestra Composition Competition and will be performed during the 2012-2013 season in Austin, Texas, under the baton of Maestra Lois Ferrari.
This past year Danielle Wüthrich (BS Music Education 2009) was named winner of the Ruth Kern Young Artist's Concerto Competition, which included a performance with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra. Dani also completed a master’s degree in piano performance from the University of South Carolina, studying with Marina Lomazov.