After two years waiting to gather in person, we were thrilled to welcome an audience again for the annual Friends of Music and Theatre Musicale to hear some of ISU’s finest faculty and student artists share their gifts at the home of our gracious host, Dennis Wendell.
“We are thrilled to share in the talents of our amazing students and faculty and gather in fellowship with our incredible community, alumni, and donors. Our Department would not be here without their support, said Department Chair Brad Dell. “They not only open their homes to us like Dennis does each year, but their philanthropic giving allows us to offer world class opportunities to students, faculty, and the community.”
The program included works by Brahms, Mozart, Vaughan Williams, Piazzolla, Mingus and a preview of the upcoming “Baba, the Musical,” a brand-new musical work by Elliah Heifetz. Faculty members Mei-Hsuan Huang, Boro Martinić-Jerčić, George Work, Jodi Goble, and Tiffany Johnson were joined by a talented group of ISU students offering absolutely something for everyone.
One highlight of the afternoon was the introduction of Wendell’s new Hauptverk virtual organ system which allows a performer to replicate the original acoustics from some of the finest organs in the world. “It was a double thrill,” said an enthusiastic Wendell, “to welcome people back for a live performance after two years of pandemic quietude and to be able to share the new technology of the Hauptverk system.” He went on, “Still, it’s hard to name a favorite moment as each performance included its own amazing inspiration.”
While guests enjoyed a reception following the performance, one patron remarked, “well if I wasn’t a supporter of the department before, I sure would be now! That was incredible!”
https://www.music.iastate.edu/giving
