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December 2, 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uu94p78Pz0 ‘Sunrise’ and Stardom By Sandy Deneau Dunham One amazing Sunrise is shining quite a spotlight on Luke Olson ’16. Olson and his band, The Olson Bros, are the new national champions of The Texaco Country Showdown songwriting contest, billed as the nation’s largest and longest-running country-music talent search. The band’s original song Sunrise earned its members $5,000 and a January trip to Nashville, where they will be introduced at

the summer and early fall, PLU Music faculty connected with peers and respected artists to arrange these unique connections. Our students had a whopping 63 opportunities this semester to listen to and collaborate with world class musicians and teachers. In this post we summarize just a few of the experiences for students involved in Wind and Brass, Trumpet Studio, Voice/Opera, Jazz Ensemble, and Music Education. As it looks like online learning will continue into Spring 2021, faculty are

New piano chair looks forward to a new chapter at PLU Posted by: Mandi LeCompte / October 21, 2011 October 21, 2011 After more than 25 years performing piano, Oksana Ezhokina opens a new chapter of her life as an Assistant Professor of Music and Chair of Piano Studies at PLU. Ezhokina performed in Lagerquist Concert Hall as a guest artist in 2000 for the very first time and says she was immediately taken with the school and the collaborative environment. “It was the spirit of the faculty, the

Professor Emeritus David Dahl releases new CD: “The Organ Sings” Posted by: Mandi LeCompte / January 21, 2014 January 21, 2014 Professor Emeritus and former University Organist David Dahl released a new CD titled The Organ Sings, which features compositions drawn from publications of his organ music over the past 25 years. The recording features organist Mark Brombaugh playing the renowned John Brombaugh pipe organ built in 1979 by the performer’s brother, and located at Christ Episcopal Church

January 24, 2014 PLU concert celebrates Black History Month Pacific Lutheran University pays tribute to the artistic entrepreneurship of African Americans with a Black History Month Concert that celebrates a lasting legacy of music, literature and art. Covering a rich tapestry of gospel, blues, jazz and concert works, along with recitations from classic African-American literature, the concert will feature PLU student ensembles—including the University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz

University’s campus. When we think of women in jazz, we often think of the many incredible female singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughan who used their vocal talents to leave a mark on their most famous songs. The role of female composers in jazz music is often obscured. The objective of this concert is to showcase compositions written by women who have contributed to the jazz repertoire over the last century. The University Jazz Ensemble will play music written by five female

Marching Competition and countless other awards at various competitions. “Music helps me when I have emotionally difficult times,” Takekawa explains. “Music connects me to the people whom I don’t speak the same languages. I feel more than honor for me to be able to host 65 Japanese female students at PLU this year. I see my young self because I was a band kid. And I always wish that I had this kind of opportunity, which is to make International friends through music.” PLU and the Department of Music

New Director of Jazz Studies, Cassio Vianna Posted by: Kate Williams / March 14, 2019 March 14, 2019 By Mackenzie Cooper '19PLU’s music faculty welcomes their newest hire, Cassio Vianna. The native of Brazil brings with him an extensive resume of teaching, composing, and performing jazz music. This year, he’ll begin a new journey channeling his passion into educating and inspiring PLU students as director of the University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos, as well as teaching History of Jazz

has continued to develop his performing career – he became the concertmaster of the Tacoma Symphony in 2000 and has been the artistic director of the Second City Chamber Series in Tacoma since 2007. His schedule keeps him busy with 30 to 50 concerts a year, while still teaching full time. Ronning’s joy is being around the students and teaching them. “Music is one of the best things you can do for your mind, body and soul,” he said. “No matter what major you take.” Yes, if you want to be a full

Celebrated composer and PLU alumna Cindy McTee visits campus Posted by: Mandi LeCompte / March 21, 2017 Image: PLU Christmas Concert in Lagerquist Hall, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (Photo/John Froschauer) March 21, 2017 By Mollie Smith '18 and Mandi LeCompte McTee’s Symphony No. 1 - Ballet for Orchestra - performed April 11 by University Symphony Orchestra For Cindy McTee ‘75, music was ingrained in her life from the moment she was born. McTee spent her youth wandering around the PLU campus while