2017 Faculty Gala

In September I had the opportunity to attend ETSU's annual Faculty Gala at the Carnegie Hotel. As is always the case with performances here at ETSU, I was not disappointed. The program included performances ranging from brass and woodwinds to percussion, piano, voice, and strings. Several of the performers were professors who I have had or will have during my next seven semesters as a vocal music education student. The venue, a change from last year's Brown Hall performance, offered a fitting level of sophistication to the high-caliber music of the night.

One of my favorite performances was a string quartet that included Dr. Kovac, my Aural Skills I professor, on violin. I was especially impressed by the faculty cellist, who played the piece beautifully on one of my favorite instruments. A piano quartet playing together on a single instrument created an impressive sight as well as an impressive sound.

However, it was the vocal performances that were of course most important to me. Karen Smith and Sunjoo Oh, both talented professors of Voice Studio, took the stage with accompanists Ann Lavender and Esther Park to share their talents as vocalists with ETSU's music community. I admired the richness and depth of Ms. Smith's mezzo-soprano, one of my favorite voice parts. But I took special note of the performance of Dr. Oh, a fellow soprano. Her consistent vibrato, impeccable breath support, and effortless ultra-high notes were an inspiration to me.

As always, watching the music department faculty perform was an opportunity that spurred me forward in my own studies and practice routine as a musician. I look forward to attending many more music events here at ETSU before graduation.