USC musicians perform at National Flute Association Convention and Carnegie Hall

Associate professor of flute, Jennifer Parker-Harley, and 10 students from the University of South Carolina Flute Studio were chosen by recorded audition to perform on the opening gala concert at the National Flute Association Convention in Washington, D.C. in August.

Mimi Harding (sophomore), Emily Hessler, Jamie Livingston (junior), Diane Kessel (DMA), Samantha Marshall (senior), Aubrey Nelson (senior), Stacey Russell (DMA), Philip Snyder (DMA), Dr. Korinne Smith, Emily Stumpf (DMA),  Zach Warren (junior) performed Killapata Chaskapata for solo flute and flute choir, conducted by the composer, Harvey Sollberger. Sollberger was winner of the National Flute Association Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Dr. Parker-Harley also gave a master class to high school students chosen through the High School Young Artist Competition at the convention.

The University Chorus has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in November under the direction of Alicia W. Walker, associate director of choral studies at USC. Singers from high school choral programs in the Columbia area, and singers from church and community choirs will join them on the performance.

The program will include Mozart's Missa Brevis in F, K. 192, and USC faculty members Tina Stallard, Janet Hopkins, Walter Cuttino and Jacob Will are the featured soloists. The world premier of World Without End by Daniel Elder, a young composer who placed second in the American Prize for Composition in 2015, will also be on the program. This choral/orchestral work is Te Deum setting, incorporating the ancient chant associated with the text throughout the orchestral sonorities. The choral parts are more freely composed, contrasting with the more medieval quality of the orchestra.

"The students are extremely excited about the opportunity to travel to New York to sing in a world-famous venue,” said Dr. Walker. “It is something they will remember all of their lives."  

If you are unable to make it to Carnegie Hall on Nov. 15 for the performance, the concert will be repeated in Columbia on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Union United Methodist Church in Irmo, SC. The concert  is free and open to the public.