As I walk towards the dimly lit concert hall, I hear the voice of a man singing. I try hard to make out the romantic language in which he sings in, but I feel as though I am in an opera house in Europe and can only sit and take in the words he sings. In reality I am not at any opera house, but at the November 11, 2006, senior recital of Ian Legeion, a senior music education and voice major.
In the Seton Hill University Division of Visual and Performing Arts Program, each student must not only complete the liberal arts core requirements and their required courses for their majors, but must also complete several performances over the course of their studies. This includes the senior recital.
By Rachel Prichard,
Staff Writer
As I walk towards the dimly lit concert hall, I hear the voice of a man singing. I try hard to make out the romantic language in which he sings in, but I feel as though I am in an opera house in Europe and can only sit and take in the words he sings. In reality I am not at any opera house, but at the November 11, 2006, senior recital of Ian Legeion, a senior music education and voice major.
In the Seton Hill University Division of Visual and Performing Arts Program, each student must not only complete the liberal arts core requirements and their required courses for their majors, but must also complete several performances over the course of their studies. This includes the senior recital.
The senior recital itself is more of a final performance held in the student’s senior year. The student does not get graded at this particular performance, but does have a pre-recital test where they perform in front of several professors as well as their instructor. They then receive a grade of pass/fail and if they pass, they are then able to perform at their senior recital.
With all the classes and performances over the years, these students work hard in all aspects of performing music. Senior recitals can be either instrumental or vocal depending on the student’s course of study. Whether the performance is instrumental or vocal, the student will perform anywhere from seven to 12 pieces from several different periods of music. Vocal senior recitals are performed in several different languages that can include German, French, Italian, and English.
Preparation is a large part of these performances as well. How does one prepare themselves for their senior recital? When asked what went into his vocal performance, Legeion said, �A lot of practice and just listening to the music. Also research online to get to know the text and the translations.�
Another student who recently performed their senior recital was Luke Mayernik, a senior sacred music and organ performance major. Mayernik performed selections from the Baroque and romantic periods as well as 20th century pieces. He also improvised as well.
�I practice a lot and I pray a lot. I meditate on each piece and give each piece their own allotted times,� said Mayernik.
Lacey Malik, a senior, has recently completed her recital, but she was hard at work in preparation. She has an hour lesson every week with her flute instructor, Rosalind Stack. She also rehearses six to eight hours a week.
�I am looking forward to the performance. I just want to conclude the years and play as best as I can,� said Malik.
Do these seniors get nervous about these particular performances?
�The best way to think about (it) is that everybody in that audience is there for you. You are playing for them and they want to hear you succeed,� said Malik
�To play a senior recital, it is all the faculty, colleagues, your family, and endeavors throughout your entire four years there to support you,� said Mayernik.
Senior recitals are free and open to the public.
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