On April 30, The West Liberty University (WLU) Department of Music and Theater will be having a Honors Recital in College Hall at 3 p.m. The recitail consists of five contestants: juniors Cameryn Colley, Marissa Lammie, Kamryn Mayhew, Nicholas Reidmiller and senior Alexis Scott. The contestants previously auditioned in front of a panel of judges to determine who will be accepted into the recital. The panel consisted of flutist, Dr. Alyssa Schwartz and pianist, James W. Iman. 

Dr. Swartz is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Flute and Musicology at Fairmont State University, Director of the Morgantown Community Orchestra, and Instructor of Flute and Piano through West Virginia University’s Community Music Program. Swartz, a Jamestown New York native, is a ambitious competitive performer who won first place in the 2020 International Music Competition Bonn, the 2019 Florida Flute Association Orchestral Excerpts Masterclass Competition, the first place in the 2017 International Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition Senior Division and many other accomplishments of her career. 

James Iman is a pianist, piano teacher and composer based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He specializes in the area of “New Music ” where his compositions are on an emphasis of music written since 1945. Iman makes a point to look at works that are interesting to him and express the importance of diversity and contrast to add to his repertoire. Additionally, he consistently is a vocal advocate for underrepresented composers and often performs works from BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ members.

There will be a wide variety of talent being showcased. Colley will be performing “Arabesques” by Paul Jeanjean on the clarinet accompanied by Roberta Fedoush on the piano. Next, Lammie will be performing “Cantabile et Presto” composed by Georges Enesco on the flute accompanied by Debroah Podolski Breiding on piano. Mayhew will be singing four pieces while be accompanied by Roberta Redoush; she will be singing “Nebbie” by Ottorino Respighi, “Le Serenata” by Francesco Paolo Tosti, “Die Lotosblume” composed by Robert Schumann and “Das verlassene Mägdlein” by Hugo Wolf. 

“ I am super honored to be accepted into the honors recital, it gives me an opportunity to show my skills, dedication and love of music to the public”. Colley stated.

Additionally, Reidmiller will be performing three pieces on percussion; he will be performing “Parody” by Jesse Monkman on the marimba, “Etude No. 1” from The Solo Timpanist written by Vic Firth and “Latin Journey” for multi-percussion composed by David Mancini. Finally, Alexis Scott will be performing all three excerpts from “La Maja Dolorosa” composed by Enrique Granados and she will be accompanied by Breiding on piano.

“I’m incredibly grateful and humbled to be accepted as a participant in the Honors Recital. I’m excited to play my selections; countless hours have been spent preparing these pieces for my performance. Additionally, I’m excited to play alongside other talented musicians who’ve had their nose to the grindstone making sure they play to the best of their abilities” said Reidmiller. “What specifically drew me to my selections is the story that they told, a beautiful yet sorrowful story of lost love. Also, my pieces are in Spanish, which I especially love to sing in. I am excited and honored to get this opportunity to perform in this recital and show off what I have been working so hard on” said Scott. 

All in all, the honors recital is a way for the “best of the best” to showcase their talents and bring music to the Hilltop towards the end of the semester.