Blinn College-Brenham Music Department to hold four April concerts

Performances will include visiting artist, tuba concert, sophomore student recitals

April 12, 2023

The Blinn College District Music Department will hold four April concerts, ranging from a testament to tuba players to recitals by vocal students.

The concerts will be held in Finke Recital Hall in the Schmidt Building, 800 College Avenue on the Brenham Campus. All are free and open to the public, with complimentary tickets available at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice. The concerts will be streamed live on the Blinn College Music YouTube Channel.

Performances include:

Friday, April 21, 7 p.m.

Dr. Eric McCluskey, baritone, will perform a visiting vocal artist recital. McCluskey is a voice instructor at Lamar University, where he teaches applied voice, vocal diction, and elements of music.

Before beginning a teaching career, McCluskey sang professionally and continues to perform as often as his teaching will allow. His career spans 36 years and began with Opera Theatre of St. Louis in 1985.

McCluskey will also hold a master class with Blinn vocal students from noon-1 p.m. at Finke Recital Hall

Tuesday, April 25, 7 p.m.

“Heroes and Legacies,” a testament to tubists who have inspired the next generation, will feature Dr. Kendall Prinz on the tuba and Hank Carillo on the piano. They will perform the music of Johann Ernst Galliard, Vagn Holmboe, Libby Larsen, Halsey Stevens, and Alec Wilder.

Prinz is Assistant Director of Bands and instructor of tuba and euphonium for the Blinn College District Music Program. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University (TLU) in 1996 and was recognized in 2020 as a TLU Outstanding Music Alumni. Prinz also earned his master’s degree in music from the University of North Texas in 1999 and his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Texas-Austin in 2010.

Thursday, April 27, 7 p.m.

A sophomore student recital will feature contralto Rasheeda Stewart, with Pamela Connolly performing on the piano and harpsichord, Dr. Daniel Johnson on the organ, bassoonist Brian Williams, and violinist Anna Thoelke.

Selections will include works by Handel, Bernstein, Barber, and other composers.

Friday, April 28, 7 p.m.

Soprano Charis Wirtley will perform at another sophomore student recital, with Connolly accompanying on the piano.

Selections will include works by Fauré, Copland, Bernstein, Bolcom, Webber, and others.

“These concerts will feature some of our very talented Music Department teachers and students,” said Todd Quinlan, Performing Arts Department Head. “We’re inviting the public to enjoy their talents as much as they enjoy performing.”

The Blinn College District Music Department offers small classes, one-on-one attention, practical learning, and easily accessible faculty so that students are actively engaged in a superior learning environment. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/music.