Students had the opportunity to showcase their talents during the department of music’s student recital on April 20 in Founders Auditorium.
Twelve students sang classical pieces for soprano, baritone and tenor voices; the department also accompanied the students. Two guitar students performed as well.
“This is part of the curriculum,” said Steve Biondo, music department coordinator. “The students who take private lessons are expected to perform in the recital.”
The students’ performance varied in sound as Dana McJunkin began the recital with her mellow and operatic voice, singing “Voi Che Sapete” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.”
Matthew White, a tenor with a smooth voice, sang Edward Purcell’s “Passing By” with each word enunciated.
“This was my first time performing,” said White, a freshman public administration major and music minor. “I first learned the song in the beginning of the semester. My instructor recommended it and I practiced it.”
The only baritone performer was Jamie Pulido, who sang two songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams in a deep, melodic voice.
The majority of the students, including Jennifer Cantero, Stephanie Duarte, Ashley Miguel, Chelsea Boyd, Rebecca Tuttle and Eva Hinojoza, sang songs written for sopranos.
Each of the students performing sang in a graceful tone and had complete control of their high notes.
“I think I did well,” said Hinojoza, junior music major. “I have been performing at the recitals since the spring semester.
“I take private voice lessons to practice for the recital,” she added. “My voice teacher wasn’t in the audience, so there was less pressure.”
One mezzo-soprano, Rachel Ortiz, sang “El Majo Timido” by Enrique Granado.
“I had to practice really hard for this song,” said Ortiz, an undeclared freshman. “The song is in Spanish, but I don’t speak Spanish.
“I had to translate the song into English to understand what it meant,” she added. “Then I learned the words in Spanish. This made it easier for me to focus on the character of the song.”
Edgar Manzo and Lance Kuyper, the two student guitarists, delicately strummed their instruments to create gentle Latin-inspired music.
“I had my students practice on the stage while I sat in the audience,” said Michael Ryan, guitar instructor. “This is to prepare them for the recital. I also had them play in front of my other classes.
“Some advice I gave them is to always know what the last chord they are going to play is,” he added.
The students’ vocal and performance abilities compelled the audience and provided entertainment as well as showcased their abilities after intense practice.
“I thought it was very nice,” said Kathy Lamkin, an audience member and professor of music. “It’s always exciting to see the students sing and perform. It shows what they have accomplished and it shows their progress throughout the semester.”
Jaclyn Gonzales can be reached at jgonzales4@ulv.edu.
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.
