Arts and SciencesMarch 14, 2024

UAFS to host College Music Society Conference

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Department of Music & Theatre is set to host the 2024 South Central Chapter Conference of the College Music Society from March 14-16. This three-day event will welcome more 100 music professionals from across the country, representing the South Central Chapter states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas as well as scholars from other regional chapters as well.

The conference, under the leadership of UAFS professors Dr. Alex Zacharella, current chapter President, and Dr. Elizabeth Momand, immediate-past president, will feature a rich array of performances, scholarly presentations, workshops, and more, emphasizing the celebration and exploration of new music as well as historical research.

A highlight of the conference is Thursday evening's public concert. Beginning at 7 p.m. in the Breedlove Auditorium, this free performance will showcase the UAFS Men’s Chorus, Leonis Chamber Singers, Jazz Band, and Wind Ensembles. Notably, the show will also include two world premiere performances, underscoring the conference’s, and the university’s, commitment to innovative musical expression.

In addition to Zacharella and Momand, numerous UAFS professors will contribute to the program through paper presentations and performances, demonstrating their active participation and contribution to the music academic community.

The conference will also feature a diverse representation from various universities such as Midwestern State University, Texas State University, Vanderbilt University, Rutgers University and Southern Illinois University, highlighting a broad spectrum of musical disciplines and expertise.

The program includes a wide variety of sessions, from lecture recitals on "The 'Navajo Preludes'" by Dine Composer Connor Chee to explorations of Bernard Herrmann’s music for Hitchcock’s "Psycho." Workshops will cover topics like "Reimagining Applied Music Through Online Delivery," while showcase performances will present works by composers like Liza Lim and Sarah Bassingthwaighte.

UAFS last hosted the conference in 2014 and Momand notes that much has changed since that time.  “The last time we hosted the conference, we didn’t have as much participation from within the department.  The planning for this conference started three years ago.  What makes hosting this year so special is how invested the music faculty and students are in making the conference truly wonderful.  Three of our student organizations are helping with registration, logistics, and generally serving as fantastic hosts for our guests and ambassadors for the university.”

The College Music Society's South Central Chapter emphasizes diversity, community, and innovation. This conference, inviting submissions and presentations on a wide range of topics, including women in music, jazz studies, and the music of marginalized populations, reflects the chapter’s dedication to fostering a vibrant and inclusive music academic community.

 

UAFS faculty presenting and performing at the conference include:

Don Bailey

Directing UAFS Jazz Catz in a luncheon performance.

Dr. Andrew DeBoer

Performance in “Wind and Wood: Music for Clarinet and Marimba” with Connor Stevens.

Ginny Hudson

Performance in "Voice on the Wind" by Sarah Bassingthwaighte.

Performance in "Free Flute" by Zachary Daniels.

Dr. Stephen Husarik

Paper Presentation on “Discovery of ‘The Psycho Theme’ and the ‘real ‘Psycho’ theme’ in Bernard’s Herrmann’s Music for Hitchcock’s Film.”

Amber Kirkendoll

Performance in “Dirge for the New Sunrise” by Kyle Gullings

Dr. Elizabeth Momand

Conference co-chair

Kristine Olefsky

Accompanist in the Composers’ Concert #2 for various performances.

Dr. Connor Stevens

Performance in “Wind and Wood: Music for Clarinet and Marimba” with Andrew DeBoer.

Performance in the Composers’ Concert #3 in "Hypnagogic Edge" by Dan Adams and "Dirge for the New Sunrise" by Kyle Gullings.

Dr. David Tyson

Directing UAFS Jazz Band in the Composers’ Concert #1.

Dr. Timothy Workman

Directing UAFS Leonis Chamber Singers in the Composers’ Concert #1.

Demonstration on "Pitch Matching Strategies for Students of All Ages."

Dr. Alexandra Zacharella

President of SCCMS

Conference co-chair

Directing UAFS Wind Ensemble in the Composers’ Concert #1.

Trombone performance in the Composers’ Concert #3 in "Hypnagogic Edge" by Dan Adams.

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