KWU December Music Department

The Kansas Wesleyan University Music Department has filled December with festive musical events, including a wind ensemble and orchestra concert with Percussion, music student recitals, choir performances, and the annual Christmas by Candlelight.

Every music student, major and non-major, has worked diligently to represent KWU with excellence. Their hard work and dedication have made the department and school proud.

Wind Ensemble and Orchestra Concert

The recent Wind Ensemble and Orchestra Concert showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of both groups. The KWU Student Media has featured an article from the Wind Ensemble and String Orchestras first concert of the semester here. 

Wind Ensemble

With the Wind Ensemble under the guidance of their new director, Benjamin Rohrer, the ensemble has experienced significant growth this semester. Rohrer’s expertise has inspired the musicians, leading to an increase in both ensemble size and overall performance quality.

The concert featured a selection of pieces, including highlights from the ensembles’ Christmas program and classical pieces. The ensembles have worked diligently to achieve this level of excellence, with rigorous weekly practice schedules that include lessons for each student.

String Orchestra

The String Orchestra’s performance was particularly impressive, given the simultaneous preparation of their concert and Christmas pieces. The orchestra’s dedication to their craft was further exemplified by the participation of two guest student conductors, Maria Stanislow and Cynder Toman. These talented junior music majors had the opportunity to lead the orchestra in two pieces each, demonstrating their leadership and conducting skills.

Stanislow, a seasoned KWU Orchestra Concertmaster from Junction City, KS, has been honoring her conducting techniques over the past three years. She aspires to teach high school orchestra and valued this experience as a valuable learning opportunity. “This experience was awesome!” she exclaimed. “Getting to conduct such a responsive and competent ensemble gave me the chance to fine-tune some of my conducting skills.”

Toman, a local violinist from Salina, KS, has been playing since the fourth grade. She found the opportunity to conduct during the orchestra rehearsal to be a nerve-calming experience. “I am nervous and unsure if I am going to remember all of the mental notes I have taken during practice,” she admitted before her performance. However, after leading the ensemble, Toman felt a sense of relief and increased confidence in her conducting abilities.

Both students were grateful for the unique opportunity to contribute to the concert and gain valuable experience. This experience has undoubtedly opened doors to future performance opportunities and will undoubtedly propel them forward in their musical careers.

Percussion Section

This semester marks a significant milestone for the Kansas Wesleyan Music Department with the establishment of its first official Percussion Ensemble. Under the direction of first-year Professor Daniel Albertson, the ensemble has rapidly progressed, mastering a diverse repertoire of pieces and refining their percussive techniques.

During the recent concert, the four talented percussionists showcased their skills on a variety of instruments. Evan Burns, a member of the ensemble, shared his enthusiasm: “It’s been a lot of fun being in a real percussion ensemble after three years.” The section has worked with Albertson this last semester and combined their varying experience levels.

Choir and Christmas by Candlelight

The Kansas Wesleyan University Choir has been actively engaging with the Salina community this month, performing for the Rotary Club, at the Country Club, and diligently rehearsing for the annual “Christmas by Candlelight” concert.

Grace Welsh, a sophomore Music Education major from Junction City, is a dedicated member of the KWU Choir, singing alto. In addition to her choral commitments, Welsh is also a violinist in the KWU String Orchestra. “Many times, the schedule gets packed, especially during months like these with multiple performances each week,” Welsh shared.

“Christmas by Candlelight” is a beloved annual tradition featuring the KWU Choir, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and local high school choirs. This year, Sacred Heart, Southeast of Saline, Salina South, and Salina Central High Schools joined KWU in a collaborative performance. On the day of the concert, all participating groups gathered for their first full rehearsal. Here is a link to the Christmas by Candlelight performance, livestream by the KWU Student Media work study team. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBj5b66K01Y

The newly renovated Sams Chapel provided a stunning backdrop for the concert, filled with festive Christmas music and readings from the Gospel of John. Several KWU Choir soloists showcased their talents, having spent two months preparing for this special performance. The String Orchestra also contributed to the concert, with a quartet performing a piece at the CBC and the full orchestra accompanying the Choir. The Wind Ensemble performed their own Christmas piece, taking advantage of the new pit area in Sams Chapel.

Violin soloists| Merissa Bailey Rios & Reese Kimmi

Music Student Recital

The end-of-semester Music Student Recital showcased the talents of nearly 15 students, each performing their chosen instrument or vocal piece. The students dedicated significant effort this semester to mastering solo and duet repertoire, eager to share their accomplishments with peers, friends, and family. The recital featured a diverse range of performances, including choir solos, flute, and cello.

A particular highlight was the piano duet performed by Matthew Redden and Joshua Chelvan. The duo had been diligently practicing their piece, Schubert’s Military March in D Major, throughout the semester. Initially assigned the piece at the end of the previous semester, they practiced their individual parts separately before collaborating to perfect the duet. Redden commented, “It was stressful the week of the recital, but it was enjoyable and fun to finally perform this piece.”

All the students who participated in the recital demonstrated exceptional dedication and hard work, both in collaboration with their professors and in their individual practice. They represented the KWU Music Department with distinction.

Music Department

The Kansas Wesleyan music department had an outstanding semester of concerts. From the grand opening of Sams Chapel to the final performance, students dedicated countless hours of practice to achieve excellence. As the holiday break approaches students are taking well-deserved rest while also preparing for the equally busy semester ahead.   

KWU Music Department Christmas Party