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Sacred concerts highlights faith and music Posted by: Mandi LeCompte / March 8, 2017 March 8, 2017 From 1965 until his death in 1974, Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington reformed both his worldview and his music. With his advancing age, failing health, and the death in of his beloved co-composer Billy Strayhorn, Ellington came to realize the impermanence of life and rekindled the deep faith instilled in him by his father. From here, Duke Ellington composed the Sacred Concerts, calling his first of

Introducing New Music Faculty Kate Olson Posted by: Reesa Nelson / September 17, 2020 September 17, 2020 Saxophonist Kate Olson is the newest member of the Music faculty in PLU’s Jazz program. A talented improviser and dedicated educator, Kate has lived in Washington since 2010. She has collaborated with many jazz groups and also performs with her own projects, KO SOLO and KO ELECTRIC. International performances permeate Kate’s resume, as do appearances with a variety of well-known musicians

Harpsichord Donated to PLU Music Program Posted by: Reesa Nelson / February 16, 2021 February 16, 2021 We are grateful to the family of Jeanette Pilgrim, who donated her personal harpsichord to the Music Department. This unique instrument constructed by Kenneth Bakeman in 1980 has two keyboards and a pedal division with painted motifs on the lid and soundboard. Instruments built by Bakeman are uncommon as he built them for only a short period of time. This particular harpsichord has a lower

October 6, 2008 PLU music major decides to jazz up his life For Bryan McEntire, choosing to be a jazz player wasn’t much of a choice. In fact, the Pacific Lutheran University junior feels the craft chose him. He remembers his grandfather had an old saxophone in his Marysville, Washington home. So at 9 years old, he picked it up and started to play it. “I think my grandfather played it in high school, and then my uncle, and then they both stopped, so I picked up where they left off,” McEntire

PLUtonic debuts first solo music video Posted by: Kari Plog / May 24, 2017 May 24, 2017 By Kari Plog '11PLU Marketing & CommunicationsTACOMA, WASH. (May 24, 2017)- PLUtonic, one of Pacific Lutheran University's a cappella groups, provided a healthy distraction for students nearing the end of finals week. The group debuted a music video featuring an arrangement of “Forget You” by musical artist CeeLo Green. The group posted the announcement to Facebook: Read Previous PLU engineering student

demonstrated unparalleled contributions to the world of music composition. She has been commissioned an impressive 22 times since 2012 to write music for chamber ensembles and brass orchestras, including her groundbreaking composition “Octave 9: Pale Blue Dot,” commissioned by the Seattle Symphony for their $6.7 million-dollar performance space. Inspired by the prose of Carl Sagan, audio from the Voyager Golden Records, and the imagery of the James Webb Space Telescope, the piece combines stunning visuals

history, and music appreciation. As an active musician, she performs frequently with faculty groups and in solo and chamber recitals. She is a busy composer who is frequently commissioned to write chamber music for brass and other instruments. Her music has won awards and has been performed internationally in countries including, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Portugal, and Brazil. Read Previous Pacific Lutheran University opens nursing lab in Lynnwood Read Next PLU announces Carol Sheffels Quigg Award

Music Lessons in the Time of Corona Posted by: Reesa Nelson / October 8, 2020 October 8, 2020 As we begin an unprecedented school year, our students and faculty have adapted to continue their study of music while practicing safety measures such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and rehearsing outside in the fresh air. Scroll through these photos to see how PLU has adapted. Dr. Jennifer Rhyne conducts a socially distant outdoor flute lesson with student Paige Balut in the parking

April 4, 2008 Diverse music, dance styles mark Dance 2008 A vibrant and dynamic series of performances marked PLU’s Dance 2008 in Eastvold Auditorium. The night’s program featured students, alumna and faculty choreographers, and a guest choreographer. The Dance Ensemble performed a collection of dances in the style of jazz, modern, ballet and hip hop. Directed by Maureen McGill, associate professor of dance and theater, the performance marked her 30th academic year at PLU. She presented “Bird

ensemble of approximately 50 players is soloistic and technically stunning, performing chamber music, selected transcriptions, concerti and original full ensemble repertoire spanning five centuries. The ensemble plays under the direction of Edwin Powell. Conyers and fellow band members conduct more than 600 performances annually, including military functions on JBLM and musical support to communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Last year they performed for a number of elementary schools across