the
Mu Phi Epsilon International Professional Fraternity for the Advancement of Music in the Community, Nation and World.
Triangle VOLUME 115
I
ISSUE 3
I
FA L L 2 02 1
In Full
Swing
Donald Craig Manuel makes his West End debut
14
A mother and daughter explore their family’s treasured sheet music collection.
contents FA L L 2 0 2 1
I
VO LU M E 1 1 5 , I SS U E 3
FEATURES 4 6 9 10 14 18 19 22
Why Convention? A first-time attendee’s virtual experience inspired a change of heart by Rachel Evangeline Barham ACME Spotlight: Meet Adrienne Albert by Mary Au ACME New Honorees All The World’s a Stage: Actor Donald Craig Manuel by Terrel Kent Singing the Old, Old Songs: Finding Unexpected Joy During the Pandemic by Beverly Hoch International Competition Winner 2021 Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity Award Winners Foundation: Grants and Scholarships Information
COLUMNS 1 2 3 3
President’s Message: Something New by Kurt-Alexander Zeller Musings: In Gratitude by Rosemary Ames Editor’s Desk: Turning the Page by Kat Braz Founder’s Day Message
DEPARTMENTS 26 28 32 33
Applause & Encore: Member and Chapter News Final Notes: Compiled by Ann Geiler District Directors Directory Executive Officers Directory
On the Cover: Daniel Craig Manuel performs at Hong Kong Disneyland. Manuel made his West End Debut in “The Phantom of the Opera” this summer.
Fraternity Mission Statement: Mu Phi Epsilon International Professional Music Fraternity is a coeducational fraternity whose aim is the advancement of music in the community, nation, and world through the promotion of musicianship, scholarship and music education with emphasis on service through music. EDITOR Kat Braz editor@muphiepsilon.org DESIGN & PRODUCTION Paul Wilson thetriangle@muphiepsilon.org Send all material for publication to: Kat Braz, editor@muphiepsilon.org The Triangle welcomes story suggestions from Mu Phi Epsilon members and friends. Publication selections will be made at the discretion of the editor. Photos must be provided as the original digital file at high resolution. Please include photographer credit information. All photographs are published courtesy of the contributor unless photographer credit is provided. Deadlines for submissions: Fall — August 15 Winter — October 15 Spring — February 15 Summer — April 15 Change of address, renewals, notice of deceased members, requests for extra copies and subscription requests should be sent to: Mu Phi Epsilon International Executive Office 4011 N. Pennsylvania St. #100 Indianapolis, IN 46205 toll free: 888-259-1471 fax: 888-855-8670 email: executiveoffice@muphiepsilon.org The Triangle is published four times per year by Mu Phi Epsilon, International Professional Music Fraternity. Member, Professional Fraternity Association. (ISSN 0041-2600) (Volume 115, Issue 3) Subscription price is $20.00 per year. Single copies are $8.00. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the United States of America. POSTMASTER: Send all changes of address to: Mu Phi Epsilon, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St. #100 Indianapolis, IN 46205 © 2021 Mu Phi Epsilon. All rights reserved.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
KU RT-A L EXAN DER ZEL L ER, IN T ERN ATI O N A L P R E S I D E N T, M U C H I , AT L A N TA A LU M N I P R ESI D EN T@ M U P H I E P S I LO N .O R G
XiaoYun Li
SOMETHING NEW
omposer Richard Wagner proclaimed, “Good people, do something new! new! and once again new!” Mu Phi Epsilon certainly has taken his directive to heart. We’ve just had our very first virtual International Convention, a wonderful time of learning, growing and sharing in music, friendship and harmony. The online format allowed members who were previously unable to travel to a convention to participate — and it’s not over yet! Registrants can revisit convention content and catch sessions they missed, review a workshop or re-experience a favorite moment through May 2022 at muphiepsilon.org. Acknowledging everyone whose work made our first virtual convention successful would exceed my word count for this message, but above all, we must extend our deepest gratitude to Jess LaNore, international executive secretary/treasurer, who managed all the technology with grace and aplomb, to the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation and its board and to all the members of the outgoing International Executive Board — particularly Rosemary Ames (Omega, Boston Alumni), who provided our Fraternity with truly sterling leadership for an unprecedented 10 years. And in an era in which the word “unprecedented” has been almost worn out from overuse, Mu Phi Epsilon did
another something new and elected the first male International President in its 118-year history. No, that photo was not a printing error. Mu Phi Epsilon’s president has a beard. I am thrilled and humbled and, to tell the truth, a little intimidated that you all have entrusted me with the honor of leading our beloved Fraternity. As they say in showbiz, Rosemary is a very tough act to follow. Fortunately, you have provided me a “Dream Team” board to collaborate with, and Liana, Ashley, Ann, Becky and Terrel already are hard at work with me to begin building our bridge to the future of Mu Phi. A bridge opens a way from where you are to where you want to be — yet it always provides a connection back to where you have been. In music, the bridge is that most creative and varied part of a song that leads us on from what has become familiar (and sometimes repetitious) to a new destination that feels like coming home. Consequently, a bridge is an apt metaphor for this moment of celebrating both where our Fraternity has come from and of looking forward to where we hope to be going in the next few years. Let’s all join in “Building Bridges” — between members, between chapters, between genres and practices and generations and identities and cultures. “Good people, do something new!”
FALL 2021
I the triangle
1
MUSINGS
Statement of Ownership Management and Circulation (Act of Oct. 23, 1962; Section 4369, Title 39, US Code) Date of Filing: October 2021
GUEST COLUMNIST R OS E M A RY A M E S , PAST I N TE R N ATI O N A L P R E S I DE N T, OMEGA, B OSTO N A LU M N I
Title of Publication: The Triangle Frequency of Issue: Four times per year Location of known office of publication and headquarters of publishers: 4011 N. Pennsylvania St. #100 Indianapolis, IN 46205 Publisher: Lane Velayo Editor: Kat Braz Owner: Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity Average No. of copies each issue during preceding 12 months
he past two years have been a challenge to our ingenuity and willingness to try something new. It certainly was an interesting way to he past two years have been a challenge to our ingenuity Total Printed 1324 and willingness to try something new. It certainly was an interesting way Sales 0 to finish my time as your president. Mail Subscriptions 1287 I could make a list of how Mu Phi has grown in the last 10 years, but you already know what that list would include as you were part of every Total Paid Circulation 1287 decision made. The most important thing I will carry with me will be the memories of our Free Distribution 2 times together and how my pool of friends is overflowing. Total Distribution 1289 Many of you know that my husband’s job involved frequent travel and it was my good Office Use 35 fortune to accompany him on many of his trips. I was able to visit with so many of you during Returns from agents 0 those trips and it was certainly a highlight for me. Even just missing the Urbana/Champaign Total 1324 Alumni chapter meeting when I gave them the wrong dates and showed up a week early. The Beta Omicron chapter scurried around to welcome me a week before expected and perhaps Single issue nearest my payback was that was the only visit where I left with a parking ticket! filing date Searching through the parking lot at the Kansas City airport, while Doris Braun tried to Total Printed 1310 remember where she parked her car left me laughing despite the cold. Traveling to Duluth, Sales 0 Minnesota, to install Zeta Rho and having Zack Carlson tell me that the view of Lake Superior Mail Subscriptions 1279 was incredible — if we could only see it through the fog. I never did see that view. At each visit, I felt like I was making a discovery of amazing new talent and couldn’t believe Total Paid Circulation 1279 that we were all Mu Phis together. How did I get so lucky? Whether my visit was with an entire Free Distribution 2 chapter, or one or two members of the chapter, it was always wonderful to meet new Mu Phis. Total Distribution 1281 The last 10 years have flown by, and I count myself incredibly lucky to have met so many Office Use 29 of you across the country and now can call you friends for life. Thank you, Mu Phi, for giving Returns from agents 0 me this amazing gift of music and more friendships than I can count. I am truly blessed. Total 1310
2
muphiepsilon.org
visiostyle
Rosemary Ames
EDITOR’S DESK
TURNING THE PAGE reetings Mu Phis! I am thrilled to be taking over the reins as editor of The Triangle. While I have a strong background in communications and specialize in editor and creative director roles for higher ed publications, I’m also an amateur musician and have deep reverence for the role music has played in empowering, uplifting and connecting me with others throughout my life. My parents always encouraged a musical education, even when my instrument of choice in elementary school was a snare drum. Around age 14 I got hooked on Drum Corps International (competitive drum and bugle corps) and spent six years marching in the baritone section for two corps — The Troopers of Casper, Wyoming, (my hometown) and the Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio. A highlight of those years was participating in the 1993 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC. Training and performing with competitive drum and bugle corps taught me values of discipline, teamwork and dedication that have served me well in my professional endeavors. Five years ago, I fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing a piano and enrolling in lessons. The day my piano was delivered, I used my adult learner book to bang out “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” on my right hand. Though I’ll never play Carnegie Hall, I have advanced enough to accompany my church youth group and play Christmas carols at area nursing homes. Serving as your editor allows me to merge my professional background with my passion for music by sharing stories that highlight proud Mu Phi achievements as well as the history of the Fraternity. But I cannot do it alone. Publication of The Triangle relies on volunteer writers. So if you have a story idea or would like to volunteer to contribute (I can make assignments, there are oodles of ideas!) please do reach out. I look forward to taking the magazine to even greater heights, together.
Kat Braz
zhangguifu
KAT BRAZ, ED ITOR , T HE T R IA N G L E
Founders Day Message November 13, 2021 As Mu Phi Epsilon celebrates its 118th year, your International Executive Board has set a theme of “Building Bridges.” In 1903, Winthrop Sterling had a professional organization that would support him in his musical endeavors and development, but the women who were his colleagues and his students did not. So he reached out to Elizabeth Mathias, and together they built a structure that would form a bridge to help women get where they wanted to go in the field of music. Seventy-four years later, that bridge became a two-way highway and opened to men as well. Since its founding, Mu Phi Epsilon has continued to build bridges over the gaps and divisions in our society and in our art form. We connect performers and composers, music therapists and music merchants, teachers and technogeeks. Our collegiate chapters today are welcoming young musicians who someday will connect us to music we can’t even imagine now, just as we all are connected back to the days of our founders by singing “Our Triangle” together. We hear on the news that ours is a society that is riven by deep divisions. On this Founders Day, I urge all of our members to be like Winthrop S. Sterling and Elizabeth Mathias Fuqua: Look around you and find the people and communities, the fields and genres, that still may be separated from full inclusion in our musical lives, and work with them to build the bridges to connect us and open the way to our future!
Kurt-Alexander Zeller FALL 2021
I the triangle
3
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
WHY
RACH EL EVAN G EL IN E BA R HA M, D E LTA N U, WAS H I N GTO N D C A LU M N I
CONVENTION? A first-time attendee’s virtual experience inspired a change of heart
4
muphiepsilon.org
Finally, I understood what motivated others to volunteer their precious time to serve on a committee or to hold an office. The business being done was the business of promoting our mission of music and service. Yes, there are details to be figured out, but the glowing smiles of the new officers as they accepted their roles said it all. This isn’t about boring administrative stuff. It’s about music, friendship and harmony. Of course. The day after the convention ended, I woke up with a sense of loss. This community that had come together in such an unlikely way would never come together in the same way again. Names I’d read had become not only faces, but personalities. I felt a deep connection with all of you — all of us — who make and teach and live music. But I also couldn’t wait to put into practice what I’d learned about repertoire and performance and service through music. Next time convention rolls around, I’ll be paying attention. If you’ve never been, I encourage you to sign up and see what it’s all about. You will not regret it.
Ed Benkowski
I kicked off my first ever Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention in my front room, surrounded by several piles of clean laundry. The finals of the International Competition played over my speaker while I folded, sorted and hung up clothes, conquering Laundry Mountain a little at a time. In fact, it took me the whole three hours because I kept going to my laptop and checking: “Who IS this composer?” “Wow, this playing is amazing!” It wasn’t long before I was engaging in the chat with other members, congratulating the performers and getting excited about the innovative programming. And getting excited about the convention, finally. I first signed up to be business delegate for the 2020 convention because I felt it was my turn to take one for the team. I was almost relieved when we went virtual but then I became worried about too much time sitting in front of a screen. Hence the laundryconquering activity. As it turned out, the convention was filled with — guess what — music and celebration and joy. Months of pandemic closures had starved me of music, and I devoured it. We sure are one impressive group of folks, finding the most creative ways to overcome a global pandemic and feed music to a similarly starved world. I felt more connected to our larger Fraternity than I have in years, as I’ve let the busyness of a performing career keep me from fully engaging. I won’t do that again. One thing was very obvious: at the core of our Fraternity there seems to be an unspoken openness, a willingness to recognize and celebrate differences that other organizations might see as a liability. As we engaged across time zones through videos or chat, Collegiates and alumni learned so much from each other. We shared ideas about technology, payment systems, marketing and community connection that will benefit all of us as we move forward. Some of us chatted on the side about specific repertoire or technique, and the online platform made it easy to share links where we could find out more.
Soprano Rachel Evangeline Barham (Delta Nu, Washington DC Alumni) is best known for importing her keen sense of theatricality to the concert repertoire. In addition to her specialty in Baroque music and oratorio, Barham is sought after by contemporary composers due to her vocal versatility and sensitivity to text. Her recent solo album “Up Toward the Sky” (Guild 7819), with pianist Jeremy Filsell, features previously unrecorded and under-recorded American art songs highlighting the poetic and musical voices of women and LGBTQ+ Americans.
CONVENTION BY THE NUMBERS
134 35 ALUMNI
ALUMNI DELEGATES
64 45
The Austin Alumni chapter gathered for a dinner and watch party at the home of chapter president Martha MacDonald (Phi Xi) to celebrate the opening night of the International Convention. Pictured (from left) are chapter members Lee Meyer (Phi Xi), past international president, MacDonald and Mary Robbins (Mu Theta).
COLLEGIATES
COLLEGIATE DELEGATES
31 20
SESSIONS
PERFORMANCES
100th Birthday!
HAPPY
In celebration of her upcoming 100th birthday in December, Mu Phi Epsilon recognized past international president Katherine Doepke (Phi Beta, Minneapolis Alumni) during the opening ceremonies of the virtual International Convention. Doepke (second from left) was initiated into the Phi Beta chapter at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 1943 and has been a loyal Mu Phi for 78 years. Many members of the Minneapolis Alumni chapter were on hand to congratulate Doepke in person. FALL 2021
I the triangle
5
ACME
SPOTLIGHT AC M E CO-C HA IR MA RY AU, M U N U, LOS A N G E L E S A LU M N I AU H AU S @ G M A I L .CO M
MEET ACME HONOREE
ADRIENNE ALBERT ward-winning composer Adrienne Albert’s chamber, choral, vocal, orchestral and wind band works have been performed throughout the United States and across the globe. Before she began composing her own music in the 1990s, Albert enjoyed a long career as a singer working with legendary composers including Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein, Philip Glass and Gunther Schuller among others. Albert’s own music has been supported by noteworthy arts organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, American Composers Forum, Meet the Composer/ Rockefeller Foundation, Subito Awards, Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity, MPE Foundation, ACME and ASCAP. Recent commissions include works for The Cornell University Chorus, Harvard-Westlake School, Holyoke Civic Symphony, Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, Palisades Virtuosi, Zinkali Trio, Pennsylvania Academy of Music, Chamber Music Palisades and Pacific Serenades as well as private individuals. A graduate of UCLA, Albert studied composition privately with Stephen Mosko and orchestration with Albert Harris. She is a member of ASCAP, the LA Composers Forum, SAG, AFTRA, The American Music Center, American Composers Forum, International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM) and the Dominant Club. She is vice president in charge of programming for NACUSA/LA and past president of Mu Phi Epsilon’s Los Angeles Alumni chapter.
6
muphiepsilon.org
To Adrienne Albert (Phi Nu, Los Angeles Alumni), “music is the universal language that knows no boundaries or barriers.” It transports this contemporary American composer to distant lands as well as to places within the vast American landscape. Her music has become widely known for its melodic and lyrical beauty as well as its whimsy and playfulness.
“ Music has always been a central part of my life. Whether performing, singing or composing, it is the thread that weaves through each part of my being. I find joy in every form of music.”
Who inspired you to become a musician? My parents were both European trained violinists and working musicians. I remember them playing quartets in the living room when I was very young. You can say that I was breastfed on music. They wanted me to become a pianist and play with them so they started me on the piano when I was 4. However, I did not want to become their accompanist. My love was in singing even though I am not a trained singer.
How did you get the opportunity to sing for Igor Stravinsky? I toured with the Gregg Smith Singers in Europe in 1958. It was Smith who introduced me to Stravinsky in 1960. When Stravinsky heard me sing, he told me he loved my “perfect boy alto” voice and hired me to be the soloist on the recording of his “Mass.” I collaborated with the maestro on numerous occasions and recorded three more solos with him, “Four Russian Songs,” “Cantata” and “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat.” While working on “Four Russian Songs,” I was given transliteration so I could learn to sing the songs in Russian and Stravinsky coached me on the Russian pronunciation. In 1966, Stravinsky wrote “The Owl and the Pussy-Cat” for his wife, setting her favorite poem to music. In this atonal piece, the piano and the voice parts never meet until the final note of the piece. I went into a studio and recorded it with pianist Robert Craft, Stravinsky’s associate and the maestro in the studio, without any prior rehearsals. The representative recording for this piece is my voice. Through Stravinsky, I met my husband, John McClure,
who was the producer of Stravinsky’s “Mass” and the head of Columbia Masterworks Records. He was also Leonard Bernstein’s producer.
How did you get the chance to sing for Leonard Bernstein? Two weeks after John and I were married, we flew to London while Bernstein was recording a Mahler Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. As was his custom, Lenny grabbed me, gave me a big kiss, and called me “HADRIAN.” At home in New York City, John and I would go to Avery Fisher Hall for the Thursday evening concerts, to spend time with Bernstein and watch him conduct. I was a contractor for singers and sang on a number of Bernstein’s recordings, including Responsory: Alleluia of his “Mass.” In 1985, Bernstein wanted to record his “West Side Story.” This is the first time that he would conduct the piece by himself. I contracted the Sharks and Jets, the singers for the recording and was also a singer on this recording. What was the turning point and inspiration to start your composing career? In the 1970s, I was a jingle singer in New York City. My best friend, Jean Fox, and I formed Kids & Company to manage our children and help negotiate their contracts in their work as jingle singers. In 1990, I brought the children to Los Angeles for a TV show screen test. Since I was born and grew up in LA, I was the obvious choice to manage the LA office of Fox-Albert Management. While living there I met Monte Stettin, who became my partner — John and I divorced in 1966 although we remained friends throughout his lifetime. On our first date, Monte told me I was an artist and encouraged me to pursue a career in the arts, not business. I decided to sell my share of Fox-Albert Management to Jean and enrolled in a film scoring class at UCLA to begin composing at age 50. FALL 2021
I the triangle
7
ACME
SPOTLIGHT
How would you describe your style as a composer? Music is in my bones. I compose from the heart and the gut, not the brain. My music is created to make people feel emotionally vulnerable. To me, music is a universal language that creates ambience to transport the world to a different place, like food, a delicious dish with herbs and spices that makes it intense and different than most art. Why did you decide to self-publish your music? I didn’t want to give 90% of my labor to a publishing company. Keep all your publishing rights! Most of my music is published by my own publishing company, Kenter Canyon Music, although I do have several works that are published by Theodore Presser. What is it like to be a woman composer today vs. when you were starting out? I choose not to think of or label myself as a woman composer. Music does not have a gender; therefore, women should have an equal place on the concert stage or other medium for which music is written. Others who have come before me have had to struggle in that role. I choose to pull equal weight and receive equal treatment. Where do you find inspiration for your compositions? I’m often inspired by nature, memories, people and their writings, most anything, really. The inspiration for “Doppler Effect” (1998-2017), one of my most-performed works, came from the sound of an ambulance I heard while sitting at a café in Rome. For “Alaskan Symphony” (2006-2007), I took seven research trips to Alaska as I began composing. The first movement, “Facing the Elements,” was inspired by the changing of seasons on the Kenai Peninsula. The second movement, a woodwind quintet titled “Animalogy,” (which won first prize on the Aero Quintet competition and was performed at Carnegie Hall) features instruments that depict the variety of animals found on the peninsula and their daily tasks and pleasures. “A Place Called Home,” the third and final movement, represents the 8
muphiepsilon.org
remarkable people who live on the Kenai Peninsula, their lives of unity, hope and peace. Sometimes I am inspired by deeply personal experiences. “Courage for Winds” (2009) was an outgrowth of my battle with breast cancer. Courage speaks to the strength in all of us to overcome adversity in our lives. “A Choral Quilt of Hope” (2011) came from an adaptation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by Susan Suntree that I set to music. What are you working on currently? “Sunrise,” an orchestra piece with Native American flutes in mind. I feel that we are all people of the United States, a melting pot of cultures and ideas. What advice do you have for young people interested in a career in music? Learn as much as you can about the industry and have something to fall back on. Love your instrument and play it even if you are not working in the field of music because for some people, it is not always possible to work full-time in music. All singers should learn to read music and learn to play an instrument. I am grateful to have been trained in piano. Piano is like an orchestra and taught me the language of music. It also provided a good foundation to my musical background. Be open-minded in your creative pursuits. Creativity has no boundaries. As a creative person, you can become an artist, a composer, a writer, a designer, a cook. Don’t limit yourself to doing only one thing.
ACME Nominations ACME recognition highlights the strengths and accomplishments of our fraternity’s Artists, Composers, Musicologists and Educators. We encourage members to nominate deserving, actively affiliated candidates who have achieved national and/or international acclaim in their music fields for ACME consideration. Learn more at muphiepsilon.org.
ACME
HONOREES
IN RECOGNITION Mu Phi Epsilon is pleased to announce our latest ACME (Artists, Composers, Musicologists and Educators) honorees and include them among our most accomplished members whose achievements place them at the acme of our profession. Like all ACME honorees, they welcome mentoring requests and other contacts from Mu Phi members. For more information, contact ACME co-chairs Arietha Lockhart (Beta Gamma, Atlanta Alumni) and Mary Au (Mu Nu, Los Angeles Alumni) at ACME@muphiepsilon.org.
Ann Geiler Phi Theta, St. Louis Alumni
Ann Geiler is a retired string educator, cellist and performing musician. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Lindenwood University and her Master of Music Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Geiler retired in 2017 following a 30-year career teaching strings to students in fourth grade through junior college. She directed numerous school orchestras as well as the Metro Honors Orchestra in St. Louis. Many of her students went on to become members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Missouri All-State Orchestra. She remains active in promoting string education in her retirement and is currently on the adjudicator committee for the Missouri State High School Activities Association. She is a trained adjudicator for the solo and small ensemble and large group festivals in Missouri. A professional cellist, Geiler is a member of the Quartet Brioso string quartet and an active player in many local orchestras including the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra and the Jacksonville Symphony in Jacksonville, Illinois. She is the conductor of the Alton Youth Symphony Chamber Orchestra. She serves on the International Executive Board of Mu Phi Epsilon as third vice president, alumni advisor. She is also the president of the St. Louis Alumni chapter and the editor of the Final Notes section in The Triangle. Additionally, Geiler is an active volunteer and volunteer trainer for the USO of Missouri, earning her the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2018 in recognition and appreciation for her commitment to strengthen our nation and communities through volunteer service.
Victor de Los Santos Gamma Sigma, Los Angeles Alumni
Victor de Los Santos earned his Bachelor of Arts Education from California State University Dominguez Hills and his Master of Music Education from the Concordia University Irvine. He has served as the director of bands at Santa Ana High School (SAHS) since 2007. He has received national recognition as an outstanding arts educator, including the Brillante Award (2015), the Honor Roll Award through Life Changer of the Year Award (2016) and was a finalist for the Grammy Educator of the Year three years in a row (2018, 2019 and 2020). As an educator, de Los Santos has successfully engaged students, parents, community members and school administrators in various music education programs and ensembles at SAHS. His programs help students build confidence and leadership skills. He has established numerous partnerships with local colleges and universities, to provide opportunities for students to advance themselves and change their family histories through college education. He also has secured scholarship funding, enabling many to attend college who would not otherwise be able to go. For his students who are interested in a career in music, de Los Santos tells them that a music teacher will never become rich. However, “If music and education are your passion, you will never work a day in your life.” De Los Santos was recently promoted to assistant principal at SAHS where he now has an even larger platform to advocate for music as a whole, focus on high standards for student learning and empower students to succeed by believing in themselves and in their community.
FALL 2021
I the triangle
9
ALL World’s Stage THE
A
10 muphiepsilon.org
TER REL KENT, F IF T H V IC E P R ESID EN T/ EL I G I B I L I TY A DV I S O R , B E TA Z E TA , B ATO N RO U G E A LU MNI
After touring internationally and living and performing in Asia, opera singer makes his West End debut Donald Craig Manuel (Beta Zeta) is an actor, singer, songwriter and voiceover artist from Lake Charles, Louisiana. He earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and also holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. A highly accomplished opera singer, he has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and other ensembles throughout the city. He has performed on various stages throughout Europe in the international tour of “Porgy and Bess.” In recent years, Manuel has worked with Disney, performing in mainstage productions aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship, as well as performing the roles of Scar in “The Festival of the Lion King” and Gaston in “Let’s Get Wicked” at Hong Kong Disneyland. This summer, Manuel made his West End debut in “The Phantom of the Opera” now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He’s relishing life in London. “I lived in Chicago for 11 years, which prepared me to live anywhere. London reminds me of Chicago a bit, so I feel right at home. London is extremely diverse and there are so many beautiful things to see in the city. The architecture, parks and historical landmarks fill the city with such beauty. Theater is also incredibly popular in London, and that’s what mainly attracted me to the city.” He’s been fascinated by music since he was a child. “I remember getting a Casio keyboard one Christmas, and that’s when my musical journey started. I then joined the concert band in middle school where I played the trumpet. I also joined the chorus during my senior year of high school, but I didn’t think I was any good at singing. At this point, I was still playing the trumpet, and I planned on attending Southern University to study instrumental music.” A professor encouraged him to pursue singing. “During my first semester at Southern, I had to sing a small passage in my sight-singing course in front of the entire class. I remember being extremely nervous, but I was able to get through it. My professor, Charles Lloyd Jr., came to me afterwards and suggested that I consider switching my focus to voice because he thought I had
the potential to be a successful singer. I remember thinking how silly that sounded because I never thought I was a good singer. “I always wanted to sing, but I didn’t think that I had the voice to do it. Mr. Lloyd introduced me to the voice instructor Jaqueline Paige-Green, and she started teaching me how to use my voice. I remember being very timid and shy when I first started the lessons. However, after a few months of working with Mrs. Green, I found a bit of confidence, and started performing during performance class. The focus at Southern was classical singing, so that’s when I became more interested in opera. I started learning different arias and decided that opera was the route for me.” His voice is multi-faceted. “I’m a baritone, and my voice is quite rich and warm, but there are lighter qualities to it, as well. When I was an undergrad, my voice teacher classified me as a bass. In grad school, I was classified as a lyric baritone. There are many colors of my voice, and I find myself constantly exploring them all!” Like many performers, the COVID-19 pandemic upended his career. “I was actually working in Asia when the pandemic started. My contract was cut short, and I was sent back to the United States. I had another job lined up in Paris, but that was also canceled due to COVID-19. I then went through a period of depression because it seemed as though I wouldn’t be performing any time soon. I tried to figure out a backup plan, but there’s never been a plan B. It’s always been performing. I managed to stay connected to other friends in the industry, and that kept me motivated. However, it’s certainly been a challenge.” Touring internationally led to a love of travel. “When I landed my first international gig in 2009, I became so fascinated with seeing as much of the world as possible. I’ve been fortunate to see a lot but there are so many other places that I’d like to see, as well. Hopefully, I’ll get back to it once the world opens back up.” He writes his own music. “I enjoy creating music. I’ve been writing songs since I was teenager, and it’s still a passion of mine. R&B is my favorite genre of music, so that’s the style that I like to write in. I compose both the music and lyrics, and I also FALL 2021
I the triangle
11
Johan Perrson
A Swing and a Hit As a swing in the West End production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” Manuel is tasked with covering for all the ensemble roles in the show. Here he is ready to go on as (left to right) Monsieur LeFevre, a masquerade dancer and a Hannibal soldier.
12 muphiepsilon.org
The Show Must Go On Once, while performing as Scar in “The Festival of the Lion King” at Hong Kong Disneyland, Manuel experienced a wardrobe malfunction on stage. During the fight scene with Simba, the actor who played Simba signaled to Manuel to look down at his costume top. That’s when Manuel saw that his zipper had broken and his chest was exposed. He ran off after the scene was finished and immediately went to the costuming department for help. There wasn’t much time, so the costumers covered the zipper with black duct tape so Manuel could make the finale.
produce everything on my own. I’ve released two singles over the past few years, but I’ve never performed them anywhere. Right now, I’m finishing my debut album which I’m planning to release within the next year. I have songs that are almost 20 years old, and I really want to share them with the world!” He spent three years performing at Hong Kong Disneyland. “I was performing as Scar in “The Festival of the Lion King,” which was quite an enjoyable experience for me. While there, I also performed in other special events which helped stretch me as a vocalist. I also recorded voiceovers for Disney and hosted events in the park, as well as other countries in Asia. I was also fortunate to meet some amazing people there, including my fiancé!”
He’s responsible for covering eight ensemble roles in the show. “It’s definitely a challenge, but I’m always reviewing my script and my notes which keeps me prepared. Swings don’t get as much rehearsal time as the full cast, so sometimes the first opportunity to go through the show is when we’re thrown on at the very last minute.” His best advice for others is to always be prepared. “That was the advice given to me and it’s managed to work for me throughout my career. Don’t compare yourself to other artists. Figure out what separates you from the rest and then embrace it.”
He’s currently cast in “The Phantom of the Opera” ensemble as a swing. “Being a swing in a show is a huge responsibility! When you’re cast as a swing, you have to cover all of the ensemble roles in the show. So, that means you would learn lines, blocking, choreography and costume changes for each of those ensemble roles. Swings spend most of their time watching the show or sitting backstage going over notes, waiting to go on. We basically save the show if someone is sick, on vacation or if someone gets injured during the show. It’s not an easy job.”
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, attorney Terrel T. Kent earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from Southern University and A&M College. She and Donald Craig Manuel pledged Beta Zeta together. During her collegiate years, she served as chapter president from 2004 to 2006. She subsequently held the office of vice president from 2006 to 2007. She enjoys cooking, collecting vinyl records, playing the violin and attending sporting events in her spare time.
FALL 2021
I the triangle
13
B EVERLY H OC H, E P S I LO N P H I , D E N TO N A LU M N I
Singing the Old, Old Songs
Jeremy Salapek
Finding Unexpected Joy During the Pandemic
Nadine Hoch and her daughter, Beverly Hoch
My mother wrote in my baby book that I was singing before I was talking. My dad must have believed that every occasion could be made better with a spontaneous, heartfelt song. He’d strike up our favorite old-timey songs as we drove the seven miles back to our house from a Sunday evening at my grandfolks’ farm. “O Mister Moon, moon, bright and shiny moon, won’tcha please shine down on me?” mother’s sweet soprano harmonizing at the sixth. Dad always delighted us with crazy songs, sometimes playing his ukulele. Here’s one: “Kokadum, mickadee, lickadiddle huggyduggy” (come with me my little honey) “and ligadissen to my sogadong” (and listen to my song). My first stage was the dining room table. I was hoisted up by Dad for a stellar rendition of “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?” (arf-arf ). And I 14 muphiepsilon.org
loved to climb up on the woodpile to serenade the neighbor’s cattle in the pasture behind the house. The school music programs in Marion, Kansas, (population 2,300) flourished. Solos and ensembles regularly filled the community’s need for programs. There were dozens of Girl Scout songs and church choir. “Bursting into song” was what we did.
A few pieces of sheet music met with my youthful scissors, sadly, but trimming did make them easier to turn. No time to dally for page turns when playing a rag!
As a young bride, Mother bought quite a few pieces of sheet music while her husband Roland Meyers was deployed. She signed with a well-practiced, firm hand “Nadine Myers.”
Mother’s first husband, Roland, gifted her with some sheet music that he signed before he died in World War II.
And the encouragement expressed by the listeners was downright effusive, warm and real. The exception: my brothers, who thought I was too exuberant with the hymns in church. To this day I still can’t miss a good descant opportunity. My music education came later, but early on it was not organized but organic. I was, by and large, left to my own devices to discover, develop and share my God-given voice. Grandma’s upright piano was moved to our house at some point, and it was fun to hear my brother struggle through “The Spinning Song” and learn “Chopsticks” and the rest. But it was the big cardboard box of sheet music that was pure magic. The beautiful covers, some already frayed and held together with adhesive tape and safety pins, advertised that they were well loved. The titles were like magnets: my 9-year old self just had to know what a song called “Crazy Words, Crazy Tune, Vo-Do-De-O” sounded like. I began to beg for piano lessons. And I was off to the races. I’d found an entry point of interest. I’ve been the keeper of the sheet music ever since. Awhile back, we finally bought a nice antique music cabinet and I carefully went through, alphabetizing the love songs and separating the rest into groups like women’s names, World War I
and World War II, novelty songs, dream songs and the like. The collection contains about 250 pieces, mostly my grandmother’s but many belonging to my mother.
Rediscovering the Old At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I talked my mother, Nadine, who just turned 99, into moving in with us. Her nice retirement community apartment was less than a minute down the street from our house, but had been closed to visitors. That would just not do. And we had the room. Little did we know what a blessing that decision would be and now, a year and a half later, we can’t imagine the situation any other way. So for fun, mother and I started tackling the sheet music at letter “A” and side by side, are slowly making our way through the collection. She knows many of them by heart and soon we had a fairly big stack of favorites set aside. We harmonize and laugh so hard we cry, and just sing our little hearts out. We take a nice long time scrutinizing the wonderfully detailed artwork on the cover. She usually wants to see what other songs are advertised on the back, too. The really old ones, my Grandmother Corrine’s, are very FALL 2021
I the triangle
15
Many of the pieces that belonged to my Grandmother Corrine are tattered and worn and must be handled with great care.
Some of the old Irish Tunes in Grandmother Corrine’s collection actually came from her mother, Emma.
fragile. Many of those are from her childhood, passed down from her mother, Emma. Irish songs “When I Dream of Old Erin, I’m Dreaming of You” and ones from World War I, “They Were All Out of Step but Jim.” Turning the delicate pages becomes slowmotion choreography as we hold the note (and our breath) for the next line. Mother remembers lying on a couch in the farmhouse living room on a hot summer day and crying as her mother played the old sad songs and wistful ones like “Beautiful Ohio” but also jumping up to improvise a tap dance to the staccato phrases of “The Glow-Worm” song. Some are special gifts signed “to Nadine from Roland, ’42.” At that time, it was customary to bring your date the latest sheet music sensation. Roland was Mom’s high school sweetheart. He enlisted in the Air Force and she joined him in California where they were married. He deployed six weeks later. After piloting many missions, he perished over the Pacific Ocean. Reporting engine difficulty, he turned back to the base, the plane and its crew were never found. Needless to say, his gifts like “He Wore a Pair of Silver Wings” and “Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland” speak volumes of how the music of that era comforted a young bride through unimaginably difficult times. We are nowhere near finished with this project. Next will be a journey through the decade collections beyond the 40s that I’ve added to my own library, along with all the Golden Era of
Broadway folios (the ones with the photos in the middle). And we always fill in with the old hymns on Sunday, of course. I can’t help wondering, in this digital age, what will happen to the scores, probably in excess of 10,000 songs, that I have accumulated during my singing and teaching career? It’s hard to find room for them now, and music libraries are already filled to the brim — “we are not accepting donations at this time.” Scan them all? They probably already are scanned and available somewhere. But I’m feeling a tinge of “you don’t know what you’re missing” for the song spelunker who does not experience the pure joy gained by sitting on the floor in the corner of an ancient, dusty music store or between the library stacks pawing through an old cardboard box marked “miscellaneous.” The tactile reality, the fragrance of the old paper was a big part of the thrill for me. Discoveries will always be made thanks to the brilliance and scope of resources now, but the gems I found while browsing were some of the very best I ever sang. During the recent virtual convention, I tuned in to Rachel Barham’s (Delta Nu, Washington DC Alumni) wonderful presentation about birdsong, not surprisingly, another passion of mine. She said something very profound and simple: “Love what you love.” This inspired me to take stock of those loves and feed them with attention. What or who drew you in to music? Then what drew you in deeper, then in so deep you never wanted to leave?
16 muphiepsilon.org
Nadine’s Alphabet of Favorite Titles (for today, at least) A: Always B: Beautiful Ohio C: Calico Rag D: Deep Purple E: Every Time it Rains … (Pennies from Heaven) F: Fit as a Fiddle (and Ready for Love) G: The Good Ship Lollipop H: He Wore a Pair of Silver Wings I: I’ll Be Seeing You J: Just a Song at Twilight K: K-K-K-Katie L: Let Me Call You Sweetheart M: Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland N: A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square O: The Object of My Affection, Over the Rainbow P: Peg-o-my Heart Q: (There’s a) Quaker Down in Quakertown
Mother poses with some of her favorites from our family’s vast collection of sheet music.
R: Red Wing S: Stardust T: Too Tired U: Until We Meet Again V: Vo-Do-De-O! W: What’ll I Do? X: Kiss Me Again Y: You’ll Never Know Z: Zip a Dee Doo Dah!
Were your entry points humble and haphazard like mine? Celebrate it and recover the joy. Right now, for me, during this unplanned luxury of time with my mother, that old sheet music collection has provided a wealth of joy. And once each month, weather permitting, you can find us out on the patio singing to the sky: “O Mister Moon, moon, bright and shiny moon, won’tcha please shine down on me?” Thank you, Mother, for hanging on to that collection in the first place, for instilling in me a love of the old, old songs. And oh, thank you for the piano lessons.
Beverly Hoch, soprano, (Epsilon Phi, Denton Alumni) joined Mu Phi Epsilon in 1971 at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. She was a 1977 winner of the Sterling Staff Award and coordinated that event, now called The Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition, in 2011 and 2021. An ACME designee, she has enjoyed an international singing career in opera, recital, chamber music and oratorio performances. Her discography includes “The Art of the Coloratura” with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, “Die Zauberflöte” as Queen of the Night with Roger Norrington conducting and “Carmina Burana” with Charles Dutoit. She taught singing at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, for 20 years and is music director of First Presbyterian Church. She and her husband, jazz trumpeter Mike Steinel, helped found the charity Instruments of Change International for Covenant Children Inc. which has provided musical instruments and instruction to children and young adults in South Africa, Haiti, Israel and Kenya as well as domestically.
FALL 2021
I the triangle
17
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
202 1 W INN E R
Hannah Porter Occeña Hailed by The New York Times as possessing “rich tone and deft technique,” Hannah Porter Occeña (Alpha Kappa) is assistant professor of flute at the University of Northern Iowa and principal flutist of the Topeka (Kansas) Symphony Orchestra. Committed to the rich heritage and new horizons of the repertoire, Occeña strives to make classical works accessible and engaging to diverse audiences. Between her performance schedule and collegiate teaching responsibilities, Occeña participates in outreach concerts and programs at schools and community centers. As a chamber musician and collaborator, Occeña strives to bring works by living composers to life. She is a commissioning member of the Flute New Music Consortium and has co-premiered works by Zhou Long (“Confluence,” 2015), Carter Pann (“Giantess,” 2018), and Valerie Coleman (“Amazonia,” 2020). A dedicated scholar, Occeña has presented at the National Flute Association conventions in Orlando and Salt Lake City as well as the Rochester Flute Fair. She has collaborated on new editions of the Sonata in B minor by Amanda Maier and the Sonata op. 94 by Sergei Prokofiev and serves on the National Flute Association Special Publications Committee. Occeña is a 2018 Doctor of Musical Arts graduate of Stony Brook University, where she studied with Carol Wincenc. Occeña holds a Master of Music Diploma from the Royal Academy of Music and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. When not performing and teaching, Occeña enjoys distance running and spending time with her husband and children. She is a Miyazawa Artist and plays on a Miyazawa Elite. 8 Learn more at hannahporter.instantencore.com. Every three years, coinciding with the fraternity’s convention, the Foundation sponsors the Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition. The next competition will be held at the 2023 convention in Irving, Texas. To find out more, visit mpefoundation.org. 18 muphiepsilon.org
ORAH ASHLEY LAMKE AWARD The Orah Ashley Lamke Award is given each year to a longtime alumni member who has shown dedication and loyalty at the local level. This year’s recipient is Ruth Stephenson (Gamma, Lincoln Alumni). Stephenson was inducted into the Gamma chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon at the University of Michigan in 1952. After completing her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in voice, she married and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, and joined the Lincoln Alumni chapter. Stephenson has served as president of the chapter and as convention delegate several times, and she was the hospitality and transportation chair in 1964 when the International Convention was held in Lincoln. More recently, she served as historian to the alumni chapter from 1998 to 2019. In 1961, Stephenson began teaching at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln and helped to start the Beta Pi chapter there. She served as faculty advisor from 1968 until her retirement in 1997. During those years, she sang several leading roles with Opera Omaha. Stephenson reports that she is pleased to now have a daughter and grandson who are also Mu Phi Epsilon members. And she very often wears something purple!
FRATERNITY AWA R D S
2021 ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS
2021 COLLEGIATE AWARD WINNERS
International Alumni Chapter of the Year: Palos Verdes/South Bay
International Collegiate Chapter of the Year, Tier 1: Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University
Winners’ Circle 2nd Place: Los Angeles
International Collegiate Chapter of the Year, Tier 2: Phi Omicron, Cleveland Institute of Music
3rd Place: Dallas 4th Place: Cleveland Area 5th Place: Colorado Springs Orah Ashley Lamke Award: Ruth Stephenson (Gamma, Lincoln Alumni) Noteworthy Community Service Project: Detroit, St. Louis Outstanding Yearbook: Dallas, Portland Outstanding Newsletter: Minneapolis-St. Paul Katherine Doepke Creative Programming Award: Palos Verdes/South Bay
PROV IN C E ALU M NI CH APTER AC H IE VE M E N T AWAR DS Atlantic: Boston Eastern Great Lakes: Cleveland Area Great Lakes: Detroit East Central: Indianapolis Southeast: Atlanta South Central: Dallas Central: St. Louis North Central: Lincoln
International Collegiate Chapter of the Year, Tier 3: Phi, University of Mount Union Collegiate Chapter of the Year Honorable Mentions: Tier 1, Mu Phi, Baldwin Wallace University; Tier 2, Beta Theta, Tennessee Tech University; Delta Pi, Tarleton State University; Tier 3, Beta Omicron, Western Illinois University International Sterling Achievement Award: Ayanna Delk-Lewis, Beta Alpha, California State University, Fullerton Outstanding Chapter Service Project To School: Eta Delta, Ripon College — positivity boards were placed throughout the department to encourage students to stay positive and practice sharing compliments. All members of the chapter participated. Honorable Mention, Service Project To School: Lambda, Ithaca College — composer/performer resource book that focused on musicians coming from under-represented populations and important influences on their careers and lives. Kappa, Butler University — study group sessions for music theory and infographics that provided useful practicing tips and music information. Outstanding Chapter Service Project To Community: Delta Zeta, Emory University — virtual recital in late spring dedicated to all healthcare workers. All but two chapter members participated. It was open to the whole music department and there were several submissions from nonmembers
West Central: Colorado Springs Pacific Northwest: Portland Pacific: Fresno Pacific Southwest: Palos Verdes/South Bay FALL 2021
I the triangle
19
FRATERNITY AWA R D S
Honorable Mention, Service Project To Community: Beta Alpha, California State University Fullerton — chapter recital featuring music and poetry by Black composers. The event raised $835 for the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. Lambda, Ithaca College — virtual holiday sing along for residents of a local retirement facility. Members of the SERV committee lead small virtual choir groups and the SERV chair edited all of the videos together and sent it off to the facility.
Arietha Lockhart
Most Reported SERV hours per member: Phi Pi, Wichita State University, 30 hrs/member Honorable Mention, SERV hrs per member: Beta Omicron, Western IL Univ, 27 hrs/ member; Beta Alpha, California State University Fullerton, 14 hrs/ member; Beta Theta, Tennessee Tech University, 15 hrs/ member Most Chapter Total SERV Projects: Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University, 10 projects Honorable Mention, Total Chapter SERV Projects: Beta Alpha, California State University Fullerton, 7 projects Outstanding Membership Recruitment Awards (includes high number of total initiations, and high ratios of recruitment): Mu Phi, Baldwin Wallace University; Gamma Sigma, California State University Dominguez Hills; Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University; Alpha Mu, Missouri State University; Beta Omicron, Western Illinois University; Eta Epsilon, Florida International University; Zeta Alpha, Williams Baptist College; Zeta Theta, University of Lynchburg
20 muphiepsilon.org
Ashley Bouras
District Directors of the Year: Arietha Lockhart, SE2; Marshall Pugh, SE1; Ashley Bouras; Ann Geiler
Most Overall SERV Hours: Beta Alpha, California State University Fullerton, 501 hrs Honorable Mention, Overall SERV Hours: Lambda, Ithaca College, 436 hrs;
Marshall Pugh
Ann Geiler
PROVINCE COLLEGIATE CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Central Beta Omicron, Western Illinois University East Central Beta Theta, Tennessee Tech University Eastern Great Lakes Mu Phi, Baldwin Wallace University Great Lakes Epsilon Lambda, Eastern Michigan University North Central Beta Pi, Nebraska Wesleyan University Pacific Phi Mu, San Jose State University Pacific Southwest Beta Alpha, California State University Fullerton South Central Alpha Nu, West Texas A&M University Southeast
Alpha Zeta, Radford University
West Central
Phi Pi, Wichita State University
FRATERNITY AWA R D S
PROVINCE SENIOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Eastern Great Lakes Abigail Adams, Phi University of Mount Union Great Lakes
Jessica Miles, Eta Delta Ripon College
Pacific Southwest
Ayanna Delk-Lewis, Beta Alpha Cal State Fullerton
South Central
Caitlin Gallaher, Alpha Nu West Texas A&M University
Southeast
Anjali Shah, Delta Zeta Emory University Caleb Esmond, Delta Tau Mercer University
West Central
Courtney Houston, Phi Pi Wichita State University
Abigail Adams
Jessica Miles
Caitlin Gallaher
Anjali Shah
Caleb Esmond
Courtney Houston
INTERNATIONAL STERLING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD The International Sterling Achievement Award is given annually to the outstanding Collegiate chosen from the Collegiate Province Award winners. It is the highest honor Mu Phi awards to a Collegiate member. This year’s recipient is Ayanna Delk-Lewis (Beta Alpha) of California State University, Fullerton. Delk-Lewis majored in music education with a vocal emphasis at CSU Fullerton. They were on the dean’s list for 10 semesters and the recipient of five scholarships, graduating magna cum laude with a 3.74 GPA. They were the regional competition winner for the National Association of Negro Musicians (2018). Delk-Lewis served as president (2019) and vice president (2018) of the Beta Alpha chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon and served on numerous committees for the chapter from 20172021. They participated in multiple on-campus activities (American Choral Director’s Association, Arts InterClub Council, National Association for Music Education), holding offices in many. They also participated in volunteering, lessons, tutoring and church section leading in the community.
FALL 2021
I the triangle
21
FOUNDATION
Scholarship and Grant Applications s Available online only starting January 1, 2022 mpefoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships
SCHOLARSHIP CHAIRMEN Grants/Scholarships Coordinator KIRA DIXON grants@mpefoundation.org SOPHIA TEGART president@mpefoundation.org MATTHEW HOCH vicepresident@mpefoundation.org SEAN KILGORE treasurer@mpefoundation.org KATSUYA YUASA secretary@mpefoundation.org ZACHARIAH CARLSON admin@mpefoundation.org LEI WENG leiweng@gmail.com
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CT March 1, 2022. Complete information, qualifications, requirements, and online applications are available on Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation website at: mpefoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships
IM P ORTA NT UP DATES A ND REMINDERS Scholarship and Grant Applications The Foundation Board is excited to announce the 2022 scholarships and grants season will be here before you know it. We have a few exciting changes ahead. BIG NEWS: The Foundation Board voted this past summer to offer the Musicological Research Awards and Composition Contest Awards every year instead of alternating every other year. The awards have been rearranged into new categories, but we have also increased the award amounts. This means more money, more often! We have also created a Professional Development Grant to help Mu Phis cover the cost of attending conferences. We will be offering two of those grants in spring 2022 and again in fall 2022. A reminder that we also have three new music educator grants to help those of you who are teaching in the schools. The application process will be streamlined this scholarship season and moved to a new platform. We hope the new application process will be more user-friendly for you. Finally, we have started an adopt an applicant program, in which alumni members can sponsor an application for students in need. Applicants pay $25 per application, and many of our applicants like to apply for multiple grants. If you are interested in sponsoring an application, please check out the grants and scholarships page on our website for more details! Other reminders: • Dues deadline. Applicants are only eligible if they are members in good standing (i.e., have paid their dues) by 11:59 p.m. CT on December 31, 2021. This is a firm deadline with no exceptions. • Application deadlines. All applications (except for Wilson Summer Scholarships) are due by 11:59 p.m. CT on March 1, 2022. The Wilson Summer Scholarships are due by 11:59 p.m. CT on April 15, 2022. • Recordings are accepted via links to websites such as YouTube (preferred). Websites such as Dropbox where sign-in by a third party is required to access materials will not be accepted. Make sure the listing is marked either public or unlisted. The Foundation loves to give out money to the Mu Phi members! It is our favorite thing in the entire world. We will continue to encourage all of you, whether you are a student (undergraduate and graduate), collegiate chapter, alumni chapter or an alumni member to apply to these grants and scholarships. The only way to win these grants is to apply for them; so plan ahead, adhere to the deadlines and apply often! For reminders, tips and information on the grants and scholarships process you can visit our website (mpefoundation.org), watch our YouTube channel and follow us on social media. We want you to benefit from these opportunities. Please have some money!
22 muphiepsilon.org
FOUNDATION
Eligibility Statement • Application fees are non-refundable, even in the case of incomplete applications. • Applicants must be dues-paying members as of December 31, 2021. • Applicants may apply for more than one scholarship/grant. • Previous winners may apply for the same scholarship or grant as long as three grant cycles have passed since they last won (winners in 2018 and before may apply in 2022). Winners of the Helen Haupt Alumni Chapter Project Grant or the Wiese-Abegg Collegiate Chapter Project Grant may apply every year. • A Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation scholarship or grant may not be used for everyday living expenses, to repay educational loans, or to repay personal debt. • Required recordings must not be older than two years from the date of application.
G RA N TS AND SCHOLA R SHI PS GENERAL MUSIC EDUCATOR GRANTS Grants awarded to music educators. Grants may be used to supplement classroom supplies, equipment or other educational expenses. Value $2,000 (three awards) Chairman: Dixon MERLE MONTGOMERY DOCTORAL GRANT* To a doctoral candidate whose advanced work toward the degree is at a significant stage of completion. Value $3,000 Chairman: Yuasa LIANA K. SANDIN GRANTS-IN-AID** For a specific purpose essential to completion of an exceptional musical project or undertaking well beyond the planning stage. Value $2,000 (three awards) Chairman: Yuasa MABEL HENDERSON MEMORIAL GRANT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY To support study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship. Applicants must be 21 years of age by June 1, 2022. Value $2,000 Chairman: Yuasa
HELEN HAUPT ALUMNI CHAPTER PROJECT GRANTS To support one or more special projects undertaken by an alumni chapter. Previous winners of this grant may re-apply for consideration of a significantly different project. Value up to $2,000 Chairman: Carlson PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT To support registration fees associated with a professional development opportunity or conference. This grant cannot be used to fund registration for the Mu Phi Epsilon International Convention or District Conference. Value $2,000 Chairman: Yuasa WIESE-ABEGG COLLEGIATE CHAPTER PROJECT GRANTS* To help support one or more special projects undertaken by collegiate chapters. Value up to $2,000 Chairman: Carlson
MARY ALICE COX GRANT FOR LIFELONG LEARNING To an alumni member, in good standing for 10 years or more at time of application. To be used for continued or renewed development of a mid-career transition in any field of professional music. Value $2,000 Chairman: Tegart MUSIC HISTORY & RESEARCH MUSICOLOGICAL RESEARCH AWARD — DOCTORAL DISSERTATION To a doctoral student, or recent grad within one year, who has written a doctoral dissertation. Value $1,000 Chairman: Tegart MUSICOLOGICAL RESEARCH AWARD — GRADUATE THESIS To a graduate student, or recent grad within one year, who has written a musicological research thesis. Value $750 Chairman: Tegart MUSICOLOGICAL RESEARCH AWARD — UNDERGRADUATE PAPER OR THESIS To an undergraduate student, or recent grad within 1 year, who has written a musicological research paper or thesis. Value $250 Chairman: Tegart COMPOSITION & THEORY LILLIAN HARLAN RAMAGE GRANT FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN COMPOSITION* To a graduate student in composition. Value $2,000 Chairman: Yuasa ELLEN JANE LORENZ PORTER GRANT FOR GRADUATE WORK IN COMPOSITION* To a graduate student working on an advanced degree in composition. Value $2,000 Chairman: Yuasa
FALL 2021
I the triangle
23
FOUNDATION
ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD — UNDERGRADUATE To an undergraduate student for an original composition or work. Value $1,000 Chairman: Tegart ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD — GRADUATE To a graduate student (master’s, doctorate, etc.) for an original composition or work. Value $1,000 Chairman: Tegart ORIGINAL COMPOSITION AWARD — ALUMNI To an alumni member for an original composition or work. Value $1,000 Chairman: Tegart RUTH DEAN MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP To a student majoring in music theory or composition. Value $2,000 Chairman: Yuasa JAZZ JAZZ STUDY GRANT To a student studying jazz performance or composition. The funds must be used to fund a project or jazz studies. Value $2,000 Chairman: Tegart CONDUCTING JOHN AND MARY VIRGINIA FONCANNON CHORAL CONDUCTING OR SACRED MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP For study in choral conducting or sacred music. Value $10,000 Chairman: Carlson JOHN AND MARY VIRGINIA FONCANNON CONDUCTING/ COACHING SCHOLARSHIP To support the study of conducting/ coaching. Value up to $10,000 Chairman: Carlson
24 muphiepsilon.org
INSTRUMENTAL ALBERTA DENK SCHOLARSHIP FOR VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO, DOUBLE BASS* To support a music major’s study of music performance. Value $2,000 Chairman: Kilgore
ARTS MANAGEMENT EDYTHE G. BURDIN SCHOLARSHIP To a student studying arts management. Value $2,000 Chairman: Kilgore
GERKE COLLEGIATE ARTIST SCHOLARSHIPS* Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Strings. To an undergraduate music major with a minimum 3.0 GPA in music and a 2.0 GPA in all other subjects. Value $2,000 (two awards) Chairman: Tegart
MUSIC EDUCATION MADGE CATHCART GERKE SCHOLARSHIP To an applicant in music education with no professional classroom teaching experience who will complete certification requirements at the end of any term of the current academic year. Value $2,000 Chairman: Dixon
BETH LANDIS VIOLIN SCHOLARSHIP For undergraduate or graduate study in violin. Value $5,000 Chairman: Kilgore
BETH LANDIS MUSIC EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP For undergraduate or graduate study in music education. Value $5,000 Chairman: Dixon
JEAN LOUISE MARTIN SCHOLARSHIP To an undergraduate or graduate instrumentalist (brass, woodwinds, strings or percussion) for study in music performance. Value $2,000 Chairman: Tegart
HAZEL B. MORGAN SCHOLARSHIP* For graduate study in music education. Value $2,000 Chairman: Dixon
ELEANOR HALE WILSON CELLO SCHOLARSHIP To an undergraduate or graduate music education, music therapy or performance major whose primary instrument is cello. Value $2,000 Chairman: Kilgore CHAMBER MUSIC JAMES AND LOLA FAUST CHAMBER MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP To a chamber ensemble with one or two Mu Phi Epsilon members (depending on total number of members) demonstrating a performance history of at least two years. Value up to $5,000 Chairman: Yuasa
NADINE WILLIAMS SCHOLARSHIP To an applicant currently enrolled in an accredited program of graduate study in music education. Value $2,000 Chairman: Dixon INES PRATT JAMISON SCHOLARSHIP To a music education major who is studying voice. Value $2,000 (see Voice) DR. FRAN IRWIN MUSIC EDUCATION MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP For a junior or senior majoring in music education. Value $2,000 Chairman: Dixon
FOUNDATION
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY BETTYLOU SCANDLING HUBIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR MUSIC TECHNOLOGY In memory of Lucie Benefiel Scandling for a project or study involving music technology. Value $2,000 Chairman: Carlson MUSIC THERAPY LA VERNE JACKSON MEMORIAL MUSIC THERAPY SCHOLARSHIP To an applicant who is enrolled in an accredited music therapy program and will be doing a pre-internship/ internship with a special population. Value $2,000 Chairman: Kilgore KEYBOARD BERNSTEIN-CROSMAN SCHOLARSHIP Piano scholarship for study outside the United States in a country other than the country of the applicant’s birth or citizenship. Value $2,000 Chairman: Weng ELEANOR B. WEILER AND MILDRED B. FRAME PIANO SCHOLARSHIP To support piano study in France (preferably Paris). One or more scholarships available. Value up to $6,000 Chairman: Weng HELEN HAUPT PIANO SCHOLARSHIP To a pianist. Value $2,000 Chairman: Weng NANCY BROGDEN BOOKER COLLABORATIVE PIANIST AWARD To an affiliated member of Mu Phi Epsilon who has demonstrated facility and continued activity as an accompanist for soloists, choral groups, dancers or others dependent upon keyboard artists for rehearsals or performances. Value $1,000 Chairmen: Weng
WIHLA HUTSON ORGAN SCHOLARSHIP To an organist. Value $2,000 Chairman: Weng WORLD MUSIC BETTYLOU SCANDLING HUBIN SCHOLARSHIP FOR WORLD MUSIC/MULTICULTURAL MUSIC Awarded in memory of Lucie Benefiel Scandling for a project or study involving world/multicultural music. Value $2,000 Chairman: Tegart VOICE ELIZABETH BOLDENWECK VOICE SCHOLARSHIP* For undergraduate study in voice. Value $2,000 Chairman: Hoch LIANA K. SANDIN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP** To any Mu Phi Epsilon member for a project or to pursue vocal study. Value $2,000 Chairman: Hoch MIKANNA CLARK TAURMAN VOICE SCHOLARSHIP* For postgraduate study in voice. Value $2,000 Chairman: Hoch SARA EIKENBERRY VOICES CHOLARSHIP* — UNDERGRADUATE To a deserving mezzo-soprano or contralto voice student. Value $2,000 Chairman: Hoch SARA EIKENBERRY VOICE SCHOLARSHIP* — POSTGRADUATE To a deserving mezzo-soprano or contralto voice student. Value $2,000 Chairman: Hoch INES PRATT JAMISON SCHOLARSHIP To a music education major who is studying voice. Value $2,500 Chairman: Hoch
BRENA HAZZARD VOICE SCHOLARSHIP To any Mu Phi Epsilon member pursuing vocal study, awarded on behalf of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter. Value $5,000 Chairman: Hoch ELEANOR HALE WILSON SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS For study at any American or International Summer Music Program. Scholarship applications may be made before program acceptance is confirmed. Value $2,000 (6 awards) Chairman: Tegart Applications for Wilson Summer Scholarships are due by 11:59 p.m. CT April 15, 2022. Complete information, qualifications, requirements, and online applications are available on Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation website at: mpefoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships * Designates grants and scholarships funded through the generosity of the Eleanor Hale Wilson Charitable Trust ** Designates grants and scholarships funded through the generosity of the Pearle Francis Finigan Foundation
Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation is also proud to support, through our philanthropic gifts, the following summer programs: • Aspen Music School • Brevard Music Center • Chautauqua Institution • Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony • International Festival at Round Top • Music Academy of the West • Tanglewood Music Center • LMTA Mop Mu Phi Epsilon members applying to the above summer programs should advise them of your membership in the Fraternity for consideration of scholarship funds distributed directly by the institutions. FALL 2021
I the triangle
25
APPLAUSE & ENCORE MEMBER AND CHAPTER NEWS
Jane Sandstrom (Mu Gamma, Colorado Springs Alumni) was one of two winners of the 2021 National Flute Association’s Adult Amateur Competition. Her recording of Karg-Elert’s Suite Pointillistique will be featured during an NFA virtual fall event. Sandstrom was also one of four chosen winners of the New York Flute Club’s Adult Amateur Competition and played for the Window with Wincenc Masterclass featuring Carol Wincenc during the virtual 2021 New York Flute Fair.
Congratulations to Emily Braxmeyer Joy (Phi Iota, Denver Alumni) who received a commendation for 75 years of service to the Fraternity. Joy was initiated into Phi Iota at Concordia College on November 19, 1945.
Yi-Yang Chen (Mu Upsilon, NYC Alumni) joined the faculty at the University of Kansas as assistant professor of piano this fall. Before joining KU, he served on the faculty at East Tennessee State University and was the founder and artistic director of the Appalachian Music Festival & Competition.
Members of the Colorado Springs Alumni chapter participated in Make Music Day, a worldwide celebration of free music held on June 21. The chapter performed for residents of the Retreat at Sunny Vista retirement home.
26 muphiepsilon.org
The Lincoln Alumni chapter, recipient of the 2020 Helen Haupt Alumni Project Grant, assisted with a beautiful performance by the Trace Chamber Society that was conducted by Rebecca Nederhiser (Beta Pi, Lincoln Alumni) in March. The chapter commissioned “L’album des Six,” an arrangement of six pieces by Le Six (Auric, Durey, Honegger, Milhaud, Poulenc, Tailleferre) which was performed at the concert. Also performed were chamber arrangements of Dukas’ “L’Apprenti Sorcier,” Debussy’s Prélude à L’Après-Midi d’un Faune” and “Canopies,” an original composition by Louis Raymond-Kolker, the arranger of “L’album des Six.”
The Alpha Pi chapter at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, welcomed 10 new members during its Spring 2021 initiation ceremony.
Nightingale Ensemble Ian Wiese (Lambda, Boston Alumni) won one of four positions in the Nightingale Ensemble Young Composers’ Commissioning Program. Joining composers Nicholas Denton Protsack, Zachary James Ritter (Zeta Eta) and Austin Williams, the four composers will each contribute a movement to a response piece for Igor Stravinsky’s “Four Russian Folk Songs” for mezzo-soprano, flute, harp and guitar. Wiese will contribute a new setting of the Scottish tune “Loch Lomond” mixed with elements of the reel “Tam Lin” (also known as “The Howling Wind” or “The Glasgow Reel”). Once completed, Nightingale Ensemble will premiere the new collaborative piece in Chicago, Illinois.
The National Intercollegiate Band (NIB), featuring selected performers from music programs nationwide, performed a world premiere of “Airborne” by Alex Shapiro (Phi Nu) during the Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma 2021 National Convention. The event’s commissioning program, which has provided the NIB and the music community with many outstanding pieces of music, is the longest running program of its kind in the world.
Texas Southern University named Brian Simmons (Omega Omega, Baton Rouge Alumni) as the new director of The Ocean of Soul Marching Band and an instructor in the music department. A New Orleans native, Simmons earned a Bachelor of Music and Master of Educational Leadership from Southern University. He also serves as an adjudicator and clinician to middle and high school bands nationwide. In addition, Simmons plays the euphonium and trombone. In 2018, he was appointed director of bands and director of fine arts at the Louisiana Leadership Institute (LLI). In January 2021, Simmons led LLI as they were selected to participate in the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. FALL 2021
I the triangle
27
Lois M. (Chisholm) Beckman Mu Beta, November 08, 1944 Died October 3, 2019 Kurt-Alexander Zeller
Ann Geiler
Liana Sandin
Rebecca Sorley
Ashley Bouras
Terrel Kent
The Fraternity installed a new slate of officers to its International Executive Board during the 2021 virtual convention. International President Kurt-Alexander Zeller Mu Chi, Atlanta Alumni First Vice President, Extension Officer Liana Sandin Beta Pi, Lincoln Alumni Second Vice President, Collegiate Advisor Ashley Bouras Phi Tau, Dallas Alumni Third Vice President, Alumni Advisor Ann Geiler Phi Theta, St. Louis Alumni Fourth Vice President, Music Advisor Rebecca Sorley Kappa, Indianapolis Alumni Fifth Vice President, Eligibility Advisor Terrel Kent Beta Zeta, Baton Rouge Alumni
28 muphiepsilon.org
Pianist, organist, vocalist. Lois received her bachelor’s in music from Washington State University. She continued her education with graduate work at the University of Washington in Seattle and at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Much of the joy of life she radiated was through her music. In college, her organ music for her father’s church and her piano music for the college and veterans’ groups brought both joy and solace during World War II. She was also recognized as a skilled piano instructor and as a sensitive choral and vocal solo accompanist, two pleasures she pursued through her adult life. Lois played the organ in Tacoma at First Presbyterian Church, was director of the Junior League’s choral outreach and played piano at local nursing homes in the Tacoma area. She believed strongly in music as a lifelong gift, and one that could reach those most in need of nurturing. Connie (Riddell) Elkins Nu, January 11, 1942 Died November 2, 2020 Pianist, violinist. Connie graduated from the University of Oregon School of Music where she studied violin with Rex Underwood and piano. She later obtained her master’s in music education. Connie devoted her career to classical music, with a little jazz and Frank Sinatra on the side. She played in the orchestra that became the Eugene Symphony. The first chairs of the string section formed a quartet that performed throughout the Northwest. Their shining hour was a day spent with
FINAL NOTES ANN GEIL ER, T HIR D V IC E P R ESID EN T/A LU M N I A DV I S O R , P H I T H E TA , ST. LO U I S A LU M N I A LUM N I A DV I S O R @ MU P H I E P S I LO N .O R G
Swiss composer Ernest Bloch in his home at Agate Beach on the Oregon coast. He coached as they rehearsed his string quartet, which soon after they performed for an international music conference in Salt Lake City. Connie taught orchestra in the public schools, and private violin and piano in her home. She volunteered for the music program at Pearl Buck School for Handicapped Children. Carolyn (Betow) Farmer Phi Omicron, May 8, 1949 Died December 22, 2020 Pianist, educator. Carolyn studied piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music and received a bachelor’s in vocal music education at Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She went on to earn her master’s degree from Columbia University. Carolyn spent some time after college in Europe and when she returned to the U.S. and settled in the San Francisco Bay area, landing a job as a traveling vocal musician for elementary students. In 1980, she was named Teacher of the Year in the Oak Grove School District. After retirement, she continued to travel and enjoyed playing Scrabble and watching Lawrence Welk and Rick Steves’ travel shows. Janice A. Clark Gamma, February 12, 1956 Ann Arbor Alumni Died January 12, 2021 Pianist, organist, vocalist. Janice earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Westminster Choir College and a master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan. She enjoyed playing piano and
organ for many church and school programs. She was appointed to the UM faculty in 1958 and retired in 1993. In 1995, Janice started as an organist at United Methodist Church and later become the director of music. She was an active singer and instrumentalist with many organizations in addition to her church choirs. She accompanied the Huron High School choirs and for many summers accompanied choirs at Interlochen Music Camp. Janice was an active member of Mu Phi Epsilon, a member of the Ann Arbor Alumni chapter and chorister for several years. Donna Mae (Krusel) Fandrey Sigma, April 12, 1949 Died February 6, 2021 Pianist, organist, vocalist, educator. Donna was a founder and leader of a senior performance troupe known as Donna’s Dollies. She was a gifted musician, performer and teacher. In college, she was a piano soloist in the All-Girl Piano Symphony at Orchestra Hall (Chicago) and was president of Northwestern University’s chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. She was a classroom teacher in public schools for 28 years and a private music teacher at home for piano, voice and organ for 57 years. Donna received her bachelor’s and master’s of music degrees from Northwestern University. Constance Lenore (Nelson) McGill Atkins Epsilon Xi, May 7, 1974 Urbana-Champaign Alumni Died February 20, 2021 Cellist, pianist, educator. Connie attended the School of Music at Fredonia State Teachers College School of Music earning her
bachelor’s in cello performance. She also received a master’s degree in music from Columbia University. She settled with her husband in the Urbana- Champaign area in 1954, where she taught piano and operated a piano tuning business for many years. Connie became a member of the Mu Phi Epsilon alumni chapter in 1974. She loved playing piano and teamed up with her dearest Mu Phi sister to perform piano duet programs. Connie was also active in the Wesley Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, the local Philanthropic Education Organization and served on the board of Cunningham Children’s Home for many years. Katrina (Kohne) Pierson Tau, January 21, 1951 Died March 4, 2021 Pianist, organist, violinist, violist, educator. Katrina graduated from Washington State University with a degree in elementary education and music. She taught for a year at Central School in Snohomish. Katrina’s great passion was classical music. She played violin in the Everett High School and University of Washington Symphonies, viola with the Whatcom and Skagit Symphonies and was a member of various local string ensembles. She played for countless weddings, funerals and receptions. Katrina was the organist and pianist at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church for 39 years. She was also the organist at Hulbush Funeral Home for 35 years.
FALL 2021
I the triangle
29
FINAL NOTES
Frances Baum Geer Nu, November 17, 1949 Died May 3, 2021
Janie S. (Newbold) Walker Beta Gamma, April 29, 1996 Died May 26, 2021
Pianist, educator. Fran studied piano as a child and went on to become an accomplished pianist and teacher, participating in many music organizations throughout her life. She earned her bachelor’s of music performance at the University of Oregon where she was president of the Mu Phi Epsilon chapter. Frances taught piano for more than 20 years and was an Oregon Music Teachers Association syllabus adjudicator. In the 1970s, she performed throughout the West Coast with her dear friend Pat McAlister (Phi Lambda) from their two-piano repertoire. Fran remained an active member of the Oregon Music Teachers Association for over 50 years, hosting social events in her home where she had two grand pianos.
Educator. Janie earned her bachelor’s in music education from the University of Alabama. After graduation, she became the band director at UMS Wright Preparatory School and she played in the Mobile Pops Orchestra. She then moved and became the band director at Ransom Middle School. Her symphonic and jazz bands received consistent superior ratings at festival and she had 18 students selected for participation in Florida all state bands. She was the guest conductor for MS Honor Bands in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in Florida and was selected Ransom Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year. Janie had a tremendous impact on music education in Escambia County and cared deeply for her students. She served as a mentor for many new teachers and has several students who went on to become professional musicians.
Ann (Gfeller) Clark Omega, March 15, 1964 Minnesota Alumni Died May 14, 2021 Flautist. Ann earned her bachelor’s in music education from Drake University. She loved books and went on to earn a master’s in library/media education. She was the librarian at Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota, which she considered to be her perfect job. Ann was active in the Park Rapids Area Community Band, Mu Phi Epsilon and other organizations. She was a missionary to Thailand for more than 20 years. Ann was a member of the Minneapolis Alumni chapter until her retirement.
30 muphiepsilon.org
Patricia Dolena (Prouse) Cravens Phi Kappa, September 22, 1946 Died May 29, 2021 Pianiast, vocalist, educator. Patricia graduated from Wayne State University where she became a member of Mu Phi Epsilon. She was a singer and pianist and continued to play piano beautifully in her later years. She taught in the Dearborn Public School system and after her retirement she and her husband traveled extensively.
Jeannemarie (Devereu) Maher Theta, February 25, 1952 St. Louis Alumni Died June 4, 2021 Vocalist, organist. Jeanne graduated from Webster College with a degree in voice and organ. She sang regularly at St. Louis area music clubs and Mu Phi Epsilon meetings. Jeanne was the organist at Little Flowers Catholic Church for over 25 years. She was past president of the St. Louis Alumni Chapter. Helen (Limneos) Boltinghouse Phi Nu, May 22, 1946 Fullerton Alumni Died June 19, 2021 Educator, vocalist, strings. Helen earned a BA in Music from UCLA and a master’s in education from the University of Southern California. Her professional world revolved around music and teaching. In the early 1950s, she became the chief music consultant for the Montebello Unified School District. Helen helped establish the curriculum for classroom instrumental and vocal instruction for all the district’s elementary schools. She had exceptional artistic talent in singing and playing multiple string instruments. Helen sang in the UCLA university’s top-rated madrigal vocal ensemble. During World War II, she served in the USO to provide live entertainment at Camp Roberts. She performed under Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Robert Shaw and Franz Waxman.
Charlotte Bea (Lovelace) Fitzgerald Mu Kappa, May 11, 1956 Died June 29, 2021 Educator. Charlotte earned her bachelor’s in music education from the University of Oklahoma. She went on to teach music at Fort Sill and made the brave decision to teach overseas on the U.S. Army base in Ingolstadt, Germany. Charlotte taught music for over 25 years at St. Francis Episcopal Day School. She loved all things music, was an avid supporter of the Houston Grand Opera, the Broadway Series and Houston Ballet. She served on the board of the Houston Alumni chapter.
president. She was a past P1 District Director and MPE Foundation Board member. Having earned a bachelor’s in music education from Fresno State, Gayane was an instrumental music instructor with the Fresno Unified School District, violist in the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra and taught privately. Gayane was also very active in the California Music Educators Association, the Fresno-Madera Music Educators Association and the California American String Teachers Association. Rachel (Don) Haspiel Epsilon Tau, January 8, 1955 St. Louis Alumni Died July 26, 2020
A graduate of the Duquesne University School of Music, Gertrude was a longtime officer of Mu Phi Epsilon. Gert was a devout Catholic and member of St. Anne’s Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for 54 years. She was a wonderful cook, baker and seamstress as well as a great mom to all.
Violinist, educator. Rachel will be remembered for her warm heart, kind and caring ways, and love of family and friends. She taught elementary strings in the Parkway School District in St. Louis, Missouri, and had numerous private students. Rachel loved to travel and had many happy memories of international trips she took with her husband, Frank, also a music educator. Rachel had been active in the St. Louis Alumni Chapter for many years and was a supporter of the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation.
Gayane (Artenian) Korkmazian Phi Chi, January 12, 1969 Fresno Alumni Died July 19, 2021
Mary Frances (Robinson) Shell Epsilon Lambda, January 24, 1982 Ann Arbor Alumni Died July 26, 2021
Violist, educator. Gayane was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon for more than 50 years and a longtime member of the Fresno Alumni chapter where she served as treasurer and
Vocalist. Mary graduated from Austin College with a degree in Bible and religious education. She was fortunate to study voice under Marjorie Lawrence. Later, she studied
Gertrude U. (Utzig) Kugler Epsilon Upsilon, May 4, 1953 Died July 1, 2021
voice under Glenda Kirkland at Eastern Michigan University. Mary directed the children’s choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti. She also sang in the adult choir and performed countless solos over the years. Her love for music continued with her involvement as an active member of Mu Phi Epsilon’s Ann Arbor Alumni chapter where she served as steward for several years. Mary was a gentle and kind person who had a lovely mezzo-soprano voice. She sang frequently for chapter events and enjoyed her time and participation in Mu Phi Epsilon. Mildred Sue (Routt) Gardner Zeta, March 31, 1946 Indianapolis Alumni Died July 29, 2021 Organist, vocalist, educator. Millie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from DePauw University. She worked as an elementary music teacher for several years before becoming the chief financial officer at Lest W. Routt Associates Architects and Engineers. Millie played the organ and directed choirs at several churches over her lifetime. She was beloved by her friends and family and within her alumni chapter. Millie held various offices with Indianapolis Alumni including treasurer and vice president.
FALL 2021
I the triangle
31
DISTRICT DIRECTORY
ATLANTIC DISTRICT A1 Stephanie Berry 574.596.8285 bmpenguin69@hotmail.com
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT SE1 Marshall Pugh 252.599.2492 se1dd@muphiepsilon.org
NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT NC1 Zack Carlson 218.201.1437 zachariah.davin@gmail.com
DISTRICT A2 Susan Todenhoft 703.323.4772 H 703.509.0224 C todenhoft@gmail.com
DISTRICTS SE2 & SE3 Arietha Lockhart 404.284.7811 ariethal@hotmail.com
DISTRICT NC2 Emma Bauerle 308.883.2625 nc2dd@muphiepsilon.org
DISTRICT SE4 Adriana Ezekiel 256.443.5339 adrianalezekiel@gmail.com
WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT WC1 Ashley Roever 580.822.5682 amroever@hotmail.com
EASTERN GREAT LAKES DISTRICTS EGL1 & EGL2 Hannah Flowers 814.897.6531 mrs.hannah.flowers@gmail.com DISTRICT EGL3 Nancy Jane Gray 330.688.7990 bobgrayz@aol.com GREAT LAKES DISTRICT GL1 Susan Bissiri 734.971.1084 slbissiri@sbcglobal.net DISTRICT GL2 Linda McNair 314.494.7472 c1dd@muphiepsilon.org EAST CENTRAL DISTRICTS EC1 Herbert Jackson 678.577.3637 herbertjackson5@gmail.com DISTRICTS EC2 & EC3 Brandon Barnett 317.557.3443 indianapolis@muphiepsilon.org
32 muphiepsilon.org
SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICTS SC1 & SC4 Isabel De La Cerda idelacerda@hotmail.com DISTRICT SC2 Sam Melnick 512.673.3822 samelnicomposer@gmail.com DISTRICT SC3 Anissa Martinez 806.217.4445 anissamartinez2013@icloud.com DISTRICT SC4 Isabel De La Cerda 210.204.6425 idelacerda@hotmail.com CENTRAL DISTRICT C1 Linda McNair 314.414.7472 lmsign4me@gmail.com DISTRICT C2 Paula Patterson 417.773.1176 paulapatterson@missouristate.edu
DISTRICT WC2 Kirsten Forbes 720.232.6450 kirsten_forbes@msn.com PACIFIC NORTHWEST DISTRICT PNW1 Sophia Tegart 509.991.4906 sophia.tegart@gmail.com DISTRICTS PNW2 & PNW3 Michael Lasfetto 971.275.3800 pnw3dd@muphiepsilon.org PACIFIC DISTRICT P1 Jessica Nguyen 858.231.5545 jttnmusic@gmail.com DISTRICT P2 Patrick Aguayo 408.991.4011 patrickanthony551@gmail.com PACIFIC SOUTHWEST DISTRICT PSW1 Tanner Wilson 951.515.9680 tannerwilson263@gmail.com
OFFICER’S DIRECTORY
2021-2024 INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller, Mu Chi International President 770.961.4400 president@muphiepsilon.org Liana Sandin, Beta Pi 1st VP/Extension Officer 402.560.7126 extensionofficer@muphiepsilon.org Ashley Bouras, Phi Tau 2nd VP/Collegiate Advisor 972.765.3252 collegiateadvisor@muphiepsilon.org Ann Geiler, Phi Theta 3rd VP/Alumni Advisor 314.691.7648 alumniadvisor@muphiepsilon.org Dr. Rebecca Sorley, Kappa 4th VP/Music Advisor 317.885.1103 musicadvisor@muphiepsilon.org Terrel Kent, Esq., Beta Zeta 5th VP/Eligibility Advisor 225.772.7384 eligibilityadvisor@muphiepsilon.org Jess LaNore Executive Secretary-Treasurer 888.259.1471 executiveoffice@muphiepsilon.org Kat Braz International Editor editor@muphiepsilon.org
INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMEN ACME Arietha Lockhart (Chair) Beta Gamma, Atlanta Alumni 404.284.7811 ariethal@hotmail.com Mary Au (Co-Chair), Mu Nu Los Angeles Alumni 323.666.2603 auhaus@gmail.com
BYLAWS & STANDING RULES Kurt-Alexander Zeller, Mu Chi Atlanta Alumni 770.961.4400 zellertenor@aol.com
FINANCE Evelyn Archer Omega Omega, St. Louis Area Alumni 458.562.9177 archerbe@sbcglobal.net
INTERNATIONAL Marlon Daniel, Mu Xi New York City Alumni 212.641.0305 marlondanielnyc@gmail.com
2020-2021 FOUNDATION BOARD Dr. Sophia Tegart, President Mu Beta 509.991.4906 president@mpefoundation.org Dr. Matthew Hoch, Vice President Lambda vicepresident@mpefoundation.org Dr. Katsuya Yuasa, Secretary Phi Mu secretary@mpefoundation.org Sean Kilgore, Treasurer Kappa treasurer@mpefoundation.org Zachariah Carlson Zeta Lambda admin@mpefoundation.org Kira Dixon, Artist Concert Manager Grants and Scholarship Chairman Phi Mu grants@mpefoundation.org Dr. Kurt-Alexander Zeller Mu Chi president@muphiepsilon.org
MUSIC LIBRARIAN & ARCHIVES Wendy Sistrunk, Mu Mu Kansas City Alumni 816.836.9961 SistrunkW@umkc.edu
HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD Rosemary Ames, Omega 508.498.4669 rosemarykames@gmail.com Lee Clements Meyer, Phi Xi 512.345.5072
FALL 2021
I the triangle
33
International Executive Office 4011 N. Pennsylvania St. #100 Indianapolis, IN 46205 executiveoffice@muphiepsilon.org 888-259-1471 The Triangle is published four times per year by Mu Phi Epsilon, International Professional Music Fraternity. Member, Professional Fraternity Association. (ISSN 0041-2600) (Volume 115, Issue 3) Subscription price is $20.00 per year. Single copies are $8.00. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional mailing offices. Printed in the United States of America. POSTMASTER: Send all changes of address to: Mu Phi Epsilon, 4011 N. Pennsylvania St. #100 Indianapolis, IN 46205 © 2021 Mu Phi Epsilon. All rights reserved. NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NAME Update online at www.muphiepsilon.org
PROTECTING OUR VALUES. SUPPORTING OUR PROGRAMMING. PROVIDING QUALITY PRODUCTS. When you purchase from a licensed vendor, you are assured a quality product at a competitive price — with a portion of the proceeds directly benefiting the programming and guidance offered by Mu Phi Epsilon. For Mu Phi Epsilon merchandise, visit
greeklicensing.com
