Music Majors Present Off-Campus Recitals
When Buffalo State voice major Joel Kumro (pictured at right) gives his senior recital, Wednesday, November 30, the tenor will sing a collection of classical pieces in an off-campus venue close to his heart—Our Lady Help of Christians Chapel in Cheektowaga—the church where the 22-year-old has served as music director since February.
“It has fabulous acoustics. I’m really enthusiastic,” Kumro said, noting that the real joy for him will be performing in a space where he feels so comfortable during a naturally nerve-inducing event. Kumro’s repertoire, which ranges from Handel to Copland, is part of a classical concert series he designed and initiated for the church months before he knew he would give his recital there. His performance begins at 7:00 p.m. in the church’s chapel (4125 Union Road) and is free and open to the public.
The venue choice was driven primarily by necessity, however, due to the renovation of Rockwell Hall’s North Gallery recital hall where students have performed in the past. Kumro is one of many students giving recitals in a church setting this year. Several junior and senior music majors have given their recitals at Knox United Presbyterian Church in Kenmore where faculty accompanist Susan Schuman serves as music director.
The church was happy to let students perform their recitals for free as a form of community outreach, she said, adding that 15 to 20 students are expected to perform at Knox next semester.
A bonus for students is the off-campus venue draws a bigger audience.
“Some parishioners have come just to hear the music,” Schuman said.
Regardless of the venue, the solo recital marks a rite of passage for music education students and also is a choice for the capstone requirement for students working toward a bachelor of arts degree in music.
“Our majors look forward to the graduation recital as a culminating event in their musical studies," Carolyn Guzski, assistant professor of music. "It expresses in sound their lifelong passion for the art form.”
“Our capstone recitalists must design their own recital program, complete with traditional concert notes, and a corresponding artwork from one of the historical periods represented on the cover—a project that draws together applied and theoretical knowledge in a very creative way.”
Eight music students have already completed their solo recitals this semester: Ariel Bauerlein, cello; Dan Darnley, percussion; Teresa Leone, trombone and piano; Paul Loweecey, saxophone; Brenna McCabe, flute; Joshua Moore, classical guitar; Miriah Reyes, soprano; and Matt Seeman, saxophone.
Matt Harris, clarinet, and Russell Carere, saxophone, will perform at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectively, Tuesday, November 29, at Knox United Presbyterian (2595 Kenmore Avenue).
As for Kumro’s November 30 recital, he said he dove into his performance pieces in August and has put a “generous amount of work” into them since. “This is something you prepare for daily.”