SRU’s Flute Studio hosts 6th annual Honors Flute Ensemble performance, Feb. 23

Feb. 19, 2020

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Fifteen Slippery Rock University Flute Studio students will be taking stage with a group of junior and senior high school students when the SRU Music Department host the 6th Annual Honors Flute Ensemble concert, 7 p.m., Feb. 23 at Swope Music Hall.

Swope Music Hall is located at 101 Central Loop, Slippery Rock, 16057, and is accessible.

Cassandra Eisenreich, SRU assistant professor of music and the coordinator of both the SRU Flute Studio and Honors Flute Ensemble, began the ensemble concert as a way to give school-aged students an opportunity to grow as musicians and for SRU students to grow as teachers and leaders.

"The experience gives these younger musicians an opportunity to come to campus, experience college life and to be immersed in an ensemble composed of a wide variety of people from different backgrounds," said Eisenreich. "We bring in great guest artists, both local and elsewhere, to provide these students an experience they may not have had otherwise."

To be considered for the program, the junior and senior high school students submitted applications and audition tapes in January. A group of judges, selected by Eisenreich, listened to each performance, grading on a rubric that accounted for accurate rhythm, smooth technique, intonation, tempo and consider their overall musicianship, including dynamics, phrasing and overall style.

Once selected for participation, students were provided with music to begin practicing with at home in preparation for group practices Feb. 22-23.

Music selections for the performance will include pieces both classical and modern, such as "The Greatest Showman" and "Don't Stop Believing." Pieces that will be premiering at the concert include "The Lovely, the Dreamers, the She," a commissioned piece by Clint Bleil, a Pittsburgh-area jazz composer, arranger and saxophonist, and a piece written for tenor and flute ensembles by Todd Goodman, a music teacher at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School.

Ben Robinson, an SRU instructor of music specializing in voice, will have his work, titled "If," performed. Robinson's piece is based on the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling, the renowned poet, journalist and novelist who wrote "The Jungle Book."

Also featured will be guest artist Nina Assimakopoulos, an internationally acclaimed flutist and associate professor of flute at West Virginia University, and Project Trio, a chamber music ensemble comprised of composers and performers from Brooklyn, New York.

SRU Flute Studio members taking part in the performance include:
● Rachel Crust, a freshman resort, recreation and hospitality management major from Beech Creek.
● Kellie DeLorenzo, a senior music performance major from Wampum.
● Lauren Denny, a graduate elementary education: K-12 reading specialist and instructional coach in literacy student from Butler.
● Sydney Eastman, a senior dual major in math and music performance from Centerville.
● Ila Greenawalt, a freshman music education major from Ruffs Dale.
● Hope Kaufman, a freshman music therapy major from Alum Bank.
● Kalista Heidkamp, a senior dual major in music education and music performance from Pittsburgh.
● Nikki Kammer, a senior music performance major from Freedom.
● Samantha Kochis, a senior music education major from Cranberry Township.
● Rachael Kovaly, a senior music therapy major from Gibsonia.
● Nicole Laborie, a sophomore early childhood and special education major from Butler.
● Jordan Lilly, a senior music education major from Sterling, Virginia.
● Frances Orteza, a senior music education major from Sharon.
● Gracie Smith, a sophomore music therapy major from Valencia.
● Reilly Scherzer, a freshman music education major from Cranberry Township.

"It's so important for these students to have an outlet, and we've been so lucky with financial support for the project from the Slippery Rock Student Government Association. We are reaching music majors and the community at large to help inspire the next generation of musicians and to help them succeed," said Eisenreich.

Admission is $5 for the general public and $3 for students.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lesa Bressanelli | 724.738.2091 | lnb1009@sru.edu