Welcome to the 18th annual Conservatory Convocation! Incoming and returning conservatory students are invited to kick off the 2023/24 academic year with a dynamic lineup of music, theatre and dance performances showcasing the conservatory’s extraordinary student artists. The year's event includes a special keynote address by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, a spoken-word poet, dancer, playwright and actor who frequently directs stand-alone hip-hop theater and current vice president and artistic director of social impact at the Kennedy Center.
Prelude
Talk It Up
Sammy Rae (b. 1994)
Shenandoah Conservatory Student Council Co-Presidents Welcome
Cabe Parrish ’25 (B.F.A. in Musical Theatre)
Cameron Edmiston ’24 (B.M. in Musical Theatre Accompanying)
Valency
Choreography by Kylie Johnson and Emma Potter
Music by Scott Morgan
Kylie Johnson, dancer
Emma Potter, dancer
In This Place
Amanda Gorman (b. 1998)
Lenita Atabe, actor
Naja Bates, actor
Caleb Richardson, actor
Zoe Satterwhite, actor
Serenade
Franz Paul Lachner (1803–1890)
Marimba Spiritual
II. Resurrection (excerpt)
Minoru Miki (1930–2011)
Ben Millesen, marimba
Chance Morris, percussion
Alex Gamboa, percussion
Anneliese Walrath, percussion
“I Believe”
by Dave Ragland (b. 1978)
Anonymous text adapted by the composer
Clint Curfman, voice
Serenity Flores, voice
Cassidy Holmes, voice
Emanuel Singletary, voice
Sofia Stankiewicz, voice
Brielle Windle, voice
Cameron Edmiston, piano
Transcendental Étude No. 10 (“Appassionata”)
Franz Liszt (1811–1886)
Hidemi Minagawa, piano
“I Am What I Am” from La Cage aux Folles
Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman
Nathan Diaz, singer
Connor Crotzer, piano
Better Get Hit in Your Soul
Charles Mingus (1922–1979)
Lance Davis, bass
Nathan Hott, saxophone
Dominic Jackson, keyboard
Mathuin Smith, saxophone/EWI
William Strickler, drums
Welcome & Introduction
Dr. Jeffrey Marlatt
Interim Dean & Professor of Music, Shenandoah Conservatory
Guest Speaker Reflections
Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Postlude
Jeffrey Marlatt
Interim Dean
Dr. Ting-Yu Chen
Associate Dean for Academic Success
Dr. Carolyn Coulson
Associate Dean for Curriculum & Assessment
Dr. Jennifer Green-Flint
Assistant Dean for Administration & Finance
Executive Director of Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy
Dr. Shaun Evans
Director of Athletic Bands
Senior Coordinator, Conservatory Recruitment
Courtney Reilly
Executive Director of Performances & Engagement
Artistic Director of Performing Arts Live
Melanie L. Mathewes
Assistant Vice President for Advancement & Major Gifts
When you join the Shenandoah Conservatory Dean’s Circle, your annual member support helps Shenandoah Conservatory address the costs of excellence in performing arts training, equipping state-of-the-art facilities, hiring world-class faculty, and fostering experimental and creative student projects.
Join Now >
Shenandoah Conservatory is grateful to the Dean's Circle for supporting our creative community of artists, scholars and educators.
Meet the Dean's Circle >
To learn more about joining the Dean’s Circle and the other ways you can make a transformative gift to Shenandoah Conservatory visit www.su.edu/performs/support or contact:
Melanie L. Mathewes
Assistant Vice President for Advancement & Major Gifts
mmathewe@su.edu | (540) 665-4733
Shenandoah University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
As a Friend of the Conservatory, you designate your support for a specific academic department, student ensemble, high profile guest artist or special initiative. Your gift demonstrates your appreciation for the important role the arts play in our lives and our community.
Join Now >
Shenandoah Conservatory is grateful to the Friends of the Conservatory for supporting our creative community of artists, scholars and educators.
Meet the Friends of the Conservatory >
Contact Assistant Vice President for Advancement & Major Gifts Melanie L. Mathewes at (540) 665-4733 or mmathewe@su.edu for more information or other ways to give.
Shenandoah University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
