Music Events
The Doane Music Department began the semester with a faculty recital Sept. 13 in Whitcomb Lee Conservatory, which showcased numerous musicians and featured nine soloists from the 21-member department. In November, a second faculty voice recital featured soprano Shannon Salyards, instructor of voice.
The 2007 Homecoming Concert paid tribute to Dianne Ferguson for more than 30 years with the department, teaching piano, music theory and music appreciation. Ferguson, associate professor of music, gave a special performance of the first movement of the MacDowell second concerto, arranged by Lawrence Odom, former arranger for the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C.
According to Dr. Jay Gilbert, director of bands, "Ferguson has touched the lives of all music majors as both a teacher of music theory and as an outstanding artist of the piano."
Collegiate Chorale, Doane Choir, Concert Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble also performed during the annual Homecoming Concert.
In early November, the 14th annual Festival of Winds brought about 150 high-school musicians to Doane College to participate in an all-day workshop and perform a concert in Heckman Auditorium. The students represented about 40 Nebraska schools and were selected by audition for a Festival Band and Honor Band. Guest conductor of the festival band this year was Dr. Larry R. Blocher, professor of music, director of the school of music and director of music at Troy University
December brought two favorite holiday performances, starting with a PianoFOURte concert Dec. 3. The ensemble of four pianists perform two-piano music for four and eight hands. It formed at Doane in 1997 and gives concerts notable for musical excitement and impressively synchronized teamwork. PianoFOURte's repertory includes transcriptions of favorite works for orchestra, organ, piano solo, and other ensembles, as well as original works and arrangements for this unusual medium. PianoFourte includes:
- Dianne Ferguson, an associate professor of music at Doane who has taught piano, music theory, and music appreciation since 1977.
- Dr. David Breckbill, who has taught music history, music theory, and music appreciation classes at Doane since 1991.
- Dr. Ken Hoppmann, who has served on the faculties of Doane, Concordia University and Southeast Community College. He is currently associate professor of music at Union College, where he directs the College View Institute of Piano.
- Emmy Bou, a voice instructor and staff accompanist at Doane. She also is on the piano faculty at Concordia University in Seward.The 18th annual Christmas Festival filled Heckman Auditorium with holiday music Dec. 8 and 9 as the Doane choirs, Doane bands, Doane String Ensemble and special vocal and instrumental ensembles performed.
Finally, Doane Choir spent part of interterm performing in Arizona and New Mexico during a 10-day tour that concluded with a home concert in Heckman Auditorium Feb. 4. An auditioned choir of 40-plus voices led by Dr. Kurt Runestad, director of choral activities, the choir tours annually to a region of the U.S. or Europe.