March 26, 2010
For Immediate Release
By Ashley Zsedenyi, staff writer, and Hillary Wright, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Several Campbellsville University students received recognitions during the recent Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) annual conference in Louisville by being named to elite ensembles made up of college students from across Kentucky, as well as being chosen for positions with the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference (CMENC).
Eight CU students were selected for the 2010 Kentucky American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) All-Collegiate Choir, while four were selected for the 2010 Intercollegiate Band and 16 selected for the 2010 Intercollegiate Orchestra, the largest representation from a single university in the Commonwealth.
The students named to the 2010 Intercollegiate Orchestra are: Marcus Silva of Brazil, Saelim Jung of South Korea, Seung-Hwa Han of South Korea, Jae Hyok Kim of South Korea, Jonatas Soares da Silva of Brazil, Hannah Thompson of Cincinnati, Ohio, Katie Johnson of Leitchfield, Ky., Laura Kaufmann of Campbellsville, Pablo Souza of Brazil, Sung-hye Kim of South Korea, Seth Johnson of Leitchfield, Seromi Kim of South Korea, Dong-Seok Yu of South Korea, Yoo Jin Lee of Brentwood, Tenn., Jong Kwan Lee of South Korea and Woo Young Choi of South Korea.
Those named to the 2010 Intercollegiate Band are: Nell Chaudoin of Springfield, Ky., Brittany Judd of Campbellsville, Austin Gilliatt of Scottsville, Ky., and Bradley Whitehead of Russell Springs, Ky.
The students named to the 2010 Kentucky ACDA All-Collegiate Choir are: Carmen Drake of Sonora, Ky., Lindsey Kleyer of Simpsonville, Ky., Amanda Mosier of Lawrenceville, Ill., Rebecca Oliver of Scottsville, Ky., Chris Williams of Columbia, Tenn., Jericho McCoy of Campbellsville, Allen Brooks of Bardstown, Ky., and Blake Whitlock of Hodgenville.
The following students were selected to serve in a CMENC position: Carmen Drake, CU president; Carla Edmondson of Independence, Ky., CU instrumental representative; Mary Gray of Owensboro, Ky., state president, CU president-elect; Joe Gupton of Campbellsville, state advocate, CU vocal representative; Lindsey Kleyer, state secretary; Abby Lanham of Lebanon, Ky., CU secretary; Lucas Milby of Campbellsville, CU treasurer; and James Nutter of Lebanon, CU fundraising chair.
Dr. J. Robert Gaddis, dean of the school of music, said he is “extremely proud of our students for their great achievements” this year and in years past, especially with the Intercollegiate Orchestra having started so recently, in 2007.
For students to be selected for the orchestra, “brass and woodwind students must submit a CD audition recording for selection,” Gaddis said.
Out of only 24 positions for brass and woodwind players across Kentucky, Gaddis said having six of those performers from Campbellsville University “is wonderful.”
He said string players must audition for seat placement upon arrival, and a CU student has held the position of concertmaster each year of the Intercollegiate Orchestra, “meaning they are the best violinists in the state university system.”
“Our other string students have also held the principle chair positions in their respective sections – second violins, viola, cello and bass – on ten occasions,” Gaddis said.
According to Jennifer Tinnell, director of bands and instructor of music at CU, the Kentucky Intercollegiate Band was formed in 1985 by college and university band directors of the Commonwealth.
“The goal of the ensemble is to provide a plethora of strong musical experiences for collegiate wind and percussion students,” she said.
Each year, Tinnell said, every college and university band program in the Commonwealth is given the opportunity to nominate band members for the annual Kentucky Intercollegiate Band. Each director may nominate up to 20 percent of their total concert/symphonic band membership.
From this nomination process, she said, the membership is selected by a committee that ensures proper instrumentation for the group as well as fair representation from each participating college.
Tinnell said those students selected for the Intercollegiate Band “are afforded the opportunity to rehearse and perform exceptional wind literature under the direction of an outstanding guest conductor.”
“The Intercollegiate Band serves as a showcase for the high level of performance of our Kentucky college and university band programs,” she said. “Additionally, as the large majority of the Intercollegiate Band participants are former students of Kentucky high schools, the ensemble also spotlights the depth and quality of public school band programs throughout the Commonwealth.”
Dr. Tony Cunha, assistant professor of music and associate dean of the School of Music at CU, said students are selected for the Kentucky ACDA All-Collegiate Choir through the same process as the Intercollegiate Band.
“Each year we are able to choose four or eight singers to participate, and this year we were able to select eight,” Cunha said.
He said he chooses “the best” singers to nominate, and a committee will verify those nominations.
“Our students are able to perform in a top notch ensemble with the best students from colleges and universities from across the state,” Cunha said.
He said students are also able to use this “great experience” as a “resume builder” that can help undergraduates apply for scholarships and admission to graduate schools.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2010 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South, tied for fifth in “most international students” and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.
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