McDaniel College students perform in annual fall music concerts

On Thursday, November 18 at 7 p.m. in Naganna Forum located in Roj Student Center, McDaniel's Student African Drum Ensembles perform under the direction of music faculty member Pape Demba "Paco" Samb, a Senegalese griot or West African storyteller, singer, dancer, and musician. Samb grew up in Senegal, learning to play the drums, and came to the U.S. in 2013. Samb originally came to the U.S. to perform with his band and, once he arrived here, he decided to stay.

The first ensemble will be performing the pieces “Kuku” and “Macaru.” Students in this ensemble include:

• Kiera Ackerina from Carle Place, N.Y.
• Katie Adelizzi from Salisbury, Md.
• Zachary Askounes from Frederick, Md.
• Karlyn Atkinson from Blue Ridge Summit, Pa.
• Allison Ballard from Arnold, Md.
• Madalyn Bigley from Pueblo, Col.
• Samual Corey from Westminster, Md.
• Evie Craig from Denmark
• Tamara Curtis from Baltimore
• John Furgeson from Gaithersburg, Md.
• Denis Grande from Chestertown, Md.
• Ha Nguyen from Hanoi, Vietnam
• Kaitlyn Poch from New Egypt, N.J.
• Joshua Sproul from Princess Anne, Md.
• Destinee Winhauer from Hanover, Pa.

The second ensemble will be performing the pieces “Mengani” and “Lambaa.” Students in this ensemble include:

• Tracy Ackah from Gaithersburg, Md.
• Cat Arter from Pasadena, Md.
• Habeeb Baba from Bristol, Pa.
• Bailey Boner from Durham, N.C.
• Daija Burroughs from Baltimore
• Heaven Clark from Westminster, Md.
• Julianna Dotterweich from Timonium, Md.
• Megan Horsey from Elkton, Md.
• Jaden Jefferson from Newark, Del.
• Lara Jensen from West Chester, Pa.
• Kendal McFadden from Baltimore
• Zachary Otte from Manahawkin, N.J.
• Marcus Richardson from Laurel, Md.
• Corey Van Huff from Neptune City, N.J.
• Malcom Watts from Apo, Armed Forces Europe

On Sunday, November 21, at 7 p.m. in Baker Memorial Chapel, the McDaniel College Choir performs under the direction of senior music lecturer Kyle Engler.

This winter concert presents music from diverse locales and historical eras, and highlights works by W.A. Mozart, Ivo Antognini, Joan Szymko, Susan Labarr, Ola Gjeilo, and more. The choir will be accompanied by pianist Peggy Brengle.

Student members of the College Choir include:

• Arin Abrecht from Hagerstown, Md.
• Nicholle D'Anna from Essex, Md.
• Danny Adum from Gaithersburg, Md.
• Zack Brown from Taneytown, Md.
• Chandra Copes from Salisbury, Md.
• Anjali Finn from Potomac, Md.
• Jordan Greene from Baltimore
• Danny Grimes from Westminster, Md.
• Bryant Gutknecht from Manchester, Md.
• Kate Jacob from Ellicott City, Md.
• Rhema Jones from Washington, D.C.
• Tommy Kormann from Glenwood, Md.
• Lauren Logue from New Windsor, Md.
• Carly Ludwig from Ephrata, Pa.
• Liz Mince from Street, Md.
• James Murray from Severn, Md.
• Robin Odom from Mount Savage, Md.
• Nina Porter from Silver Spring, Md.
• Sarah Price from Glen Burnie, Md.
• Tyra Pritchett from Elkridge, Md.
• Margaret Riekenberg from South Orange, N.J.
• Julia Roman from Westminster, Md.
• Nik Schobitz from Maidens, Va.
• Emmy Sherk from Bethesda, Md.
• Paul Steinert from Dundalk, Md.
• Ashley Swayne from Fort Howard, Md.
• Emma Walther from York, Pa.
• Tori Wesley from Upperco, Md.

They are joined by faculty and staff members, Meg Christie and Tobi Hasse, and community member Rowan Ackerman.

The College's new A Capella Ensemble also performs during the concert. Members include:

• Jordan Greene from Baltimore
• Bryant Gutknecht from Manchester, Md.
• Rhema Jones from Washington, D.C.
• Tommy Kormann from Glenwood, Md.
• Robin Odom from Mount Savage, Md.
• Tyra Pritchett from Elkridge, Md.
• Margaret Riekenberg from South Orange, N.J.
• Emma Walther from York, Pa.

The Student Jazz Ensembles perform on Thursday, December 2, at 7 p.m. in WMC Alumni Hall, directed by music lecturer Tim Jenkins.

Styles of jazz represented include classic big band swing, bebop, Latin, funk, jazz-rock, classic blues, and more.

Highlights of the program include "In Walked Bud,” composed by Thelonious Monk, "Cotton Tail," composed by Duke Ellington and arranged by Mark Taylor, "The Amazon Forest," composed by Jean-Luc Ponty, "Emily" composed by Johnny Mercer and Johnny Mandel and arranged by Jenkins, "Tuesday Heartbreak,” composed by Stevie Wonder, and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” composed by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and arranged by Frank Devol. Also on the program is the premiere of “To Do,” an original composition by McDaniel student and multi-instrumentalist, Christian Lewis.

McDaniel students performing as part of the concert are:

• Harrison Booth from Leola, Pa.—violin
• Matt Feller from Burke, Va.—guitar, mandolin
• Jake Fine, graduate student studying Teaching PK-12 in Music—drums, vibraphone
• Jordan Greene from Baltimore—keyboards, voice
• Randy Hammond from Bowie, Md.—guitar
• Ryan Higgins from Woodbine, Md.—alto saxophone
• Elijah Johnson from Laurel, Md.—tenor saxophone
• Kendall Lanham-Fennell from Woodbridge, Va.—trombone, euphonium
• Christian Lewis from Baltimore—keyboards, drums, guitar
• Sage Wann from New Market, Md.—tenor saxophone, voice
• Hadley Watts from Apo, Armed Forces Europe—voice, flute
• Malcom Watts from Apo, Armed Forces Europe—bass
• Chris Wilson from Olney, Md.—alto saxophone

On Friday, December 3, at 7 p.m. in WMC Alumni Hall, nearly 50 students, alumni, faculty, and community musicians perform during the College Band Concert.

This concert will feature musical selections from classical to pops, under the direction of senior music lecturer Linda Kirkpatrick.

This semester’s program will include "Black Horse Troop March" by John Philip Sousa, "From the Delta" by William Grant Still, "The Sacred Pipe" by Christopher Kyle Green, "March from Symphonic Metamorphosis" by Paul Hindemith, “Pearl Harbor” soundtrack highlights composed by Hans Zimmer and arranged by Jay Bocook, and “Home Alone Christmas,” arranged by Paul Lavender.

McDaniel students performing in the band include:

• Hayden W. Draycott from Chevy Chase, Md.
• Kendall Lanham-Fennell from Woodbridge, Va.
• Ngum Fofou from Randallstown, Md.
• Sarah E. Price from Glen Burnie, Md.
• Emily Robinson from Eden, Md.
• Max Sweeney from Delmar, Md.
• Mikaela Walton from Greensboro, Md.

They will be joined by alumni Shannon Bernier '19, Betsy Meade Turner '02, Deborah A. Seidel '84, James L. Tarr '80, and Erika Winderlich-Hite '99; McDaniel music faculty members David Duree, Lynne Griffith, Michael Hirsh, Mindy Niles, and Robert Sirois; and community musicians, including several Carroll County high school students.

The Westminster Symphony Orchestra Concert takes place Saturday, December 4, at 3 p.m. in WMC Alumni Hall.

Directed by senior music lecturer Linda Kirkpatrick, the Westminster Symphony Orchestra is composed of McDaniel students and music faculty, Carroll Community College students and music faculty, and community musicians. Anthony Shields serves as guest concert master.

The program will feature Henry Purcell’s "Timon in Athens Overture" (featuring McDaniel’s Nick Reider, trumpet), Joseph Bologne’s "Symphony No. 1 in G Major," Antonio Vivaldi’s "Concerto in E Minor for Bassoon" (featuring McDaniel’s Robert Sirois, bassoon), "Chanukah Festival Overture" by Calvin Custer, "The Huron Carol," arranged by Andrew Wainwright, "Carol of the Bells" composed by Leontovich/Wilhousky and arranged by Richard Hayman, "Christmas at the Movies," arranged by Bob Krogstad and featuring “Miracle on 34th Street,” “The Polar Express,” “Somewhere in my Memory,” “Making Christmas”, and “Where are You Christmas?”

McDaniel students performing include:

• Haley E. Arnold from Newburg, Md.

McDaniel faculty members in the orchestra are Rachel Andrews, Michael Hirsh, David Motter, Mindy Niles, Nicholas Reider, Robert Sirois, and Alice Tung. McDaniel alumni performers include Brandon C. Schlichtig '20, Jackie Sherwin '18, Betsy Meade Turner '02, and Joshua Vyskocil '10.

Carroll Community College faculty member Cindy Rosenberg and Carroll Community College students also perform in the orchestra.

The Gospel Choir performs Sunday, December 5, at 3 p.m. in WMC Alumni Hall, under the direction of music lecturer Shelley Ensor, with Alice Dorsey serving as accompanist.

The Gospel Choir performs traditional and contemporary gospel music, as well as spirituals. The choir consists of McDaniel students:

• Tracey Ackah from Gaithersburg, Md.
• Princess Addo from Jessup, Md.
• Tamrah Blanchard from Aberdeen, Md.
• Russell Campbell from Burtonsville, Md.
• Evan Darr from Frostburg, Md.
• Corey Foote from Baltimore
• Tyler Huddleston from Dundalk, Md.
• Kate Jacob from Ellicott City, Md.
• Rhema Jones from Washington, D.C.
• Elva Joya from Rockville, Md.
• Peace Odumeru from Severn, Md.
• Jani' Pierre from Pikesville, Md.
• Nik Schobitz from Maidens, Va.
• Janai Sharp from Baltimore
• Logan Sweeney from Mount Laurel, N.J.
• Laura Wilson from Halethorpe, Md.

They are joined by McDaniel alumnus Steven Alford '20.

Of the material chosen for the concert Ensor says, “Our focus, as always, is that of love and encouragement. In these times it’s even more important that we sing out loud the good news of spreading love and joy and encouraging those who feel they do not have a voice.”

Besides pianist Dorsey, the choir will be supported by McDaniel music department chair Glenn Caldwell on saxophone, Shawn Dennison on bass, and Chris James on guitar.