The University of North Alabama Department of Music hosts departmental recitals throughout the academic year to showcase the musical talent at the university. Oct. 16th was the fourth department recital of the semester, welcoming an array of student musical performances.
Opening up the recital was Laci Kea New singing in mezzo-soprano with Karen Cantrell on piano. The piece was “What was a Woman to Do” from David Yazbeck’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, serving as a preview of the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels musical performed by the UNA School of the Arts.
Afterward, Ariel White performed “Blue Tongue” by Barry Cockcroft on the clarinet, with an amusing ending that got laughs and applause from the audience.
Returning to the stage was Gary Fuqua Jr. singing in tenor with Karen Cantrell on piano. The piece was an Italian classical called “Le Domandai” by Francesco Santoliquido.
“To my core, I love performing,” said Fuqua Jr. “[It’s] a safe space to present my work unapologetically black, queer, just true to myself.”
This is a core component of the departmental recitals. It is a safe space for students to engage and gain experience in performing.
Up next was Rebekah Bungei on piano, moving the crowd with a piece by Felix Mendelssohn titled “Op. 38, No. 6, in Ab Major” from Song Without Words.
Singing in tenor next was Preston Cox and Laurelie Gheesling on piano. Through voice and gestures, “What More Can I Say” from Falsettos was brought to life on stage.
Second to last was a quintet with Sabrina Gaines, Opal McBrayer, Caleb Wortham on clarinet, Kaylee Branam on bass clarinet and Nathan Van Berkom on a drum set, performing a jazzy woodwind piece called “Swing Composto” by Emanuele d’Aleo.
To close out the show, a chamber orchestra performed, including Rachel Strong on piccolo, Emma Best, Bridgett Gauvin, Kenimer Lewis, Rebekah Bungei, Hope Jacobs, Katerina Fedoseyev and Jenna Chaney on flute, Jessica Williams and Brinley Simpson on alto flute and Austin Chambers and Briley Wise on bass flute. The performance was a three-part performance from Jonathan Cohen’s I May be Down, but the Jig is Up. First was “Knox’s Jig,” transitioning seamlessly into “She Walked This Valley, Once” and lastly “Here’s Sunshine in Your Eye.”
The Department of Music encourages students in the program to coordinate with their professors and seek availability for a spot in the upcoming recitals.
