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Houghton Welcomes Eight New Professors

Eight professors are joining Houghton faculty this semester. Newly minted profs. Aikens, Bate, Hutchings, Luebke, Murphy, Poythress, Suzano, and Taylor are all excited to be a part of the school.

Assistant Professor of Physics, Dr. Kurt Aikens finished his undergraduate degree at Houghton in 2009. After which, he attended Purdue University where he earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. “My research interests are in the area of computer simulations of fluid flows and specifically involve improving predictions of – and ultimately reducing – jet engine noise,” said Aikens, “Teaching at the undergraduate level gives me the opportunity to have a more broad educational background and study a wider range of topics. At the same time, I am also able to continue in my area of research. I get the best of both worlds.”

Dr. Brandon Bate joins the mathematics department after a year of postdoctoral research at Tel Aviv University. Like Aikens, Bate is a Houghton graduate, having completed a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science. He received his masters from Boston College in 2007 and his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2013, both in mathematics. He is married to Juliet Bate, also a 2004 Houghton graduate, and has an exuberant 4 year old son.

Dr. Sarah Hutchings, Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition, takes on a full-time position this year after having served two semesters as an adjunct. Hutchings received her bachelors at Western Carolina University in 2007, masters at Florida State University in 2010, and her doctorate of musical arts at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 2013. Asked about her position at Houghton, Hutchings said, “I feel so blessed to be able to work at a place that supports my professional development and gives me the opportunity to instruct the next generation of artists in their craft. But, most importantly, I consider it a calling to show students how God can use them as a witness in their own careers and lives.”

Dr. Adam Luebke has taken on the positions of Associate Professor of Vocal Music and Conducting as well as the Director of Choral Activities. Luebke received a bachelors of music at Olaf College in 2002, masters of music at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in 2004, and Ph.D. at Florida State University in 2010. Luebke has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and Smetana Hall.  Said Luebke, “In the first week of school I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my students, particularly those in College Choir, and learning about how music and faith intersect in their lives.  It was also quite exciting for me to get the year off to a start performing for the opening chapel service.”

Prof. Madison Murphy joins the communication department as Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Visual Communication. Murphy received her bachelors at Houghton in 2011 and her masters in fine arts at Savannah College of Art and Design in 2014. “During this first week of classes I’ve been talking with the students in the lab, and I’m impressed to see the kind of work they’re doing and the enthusiasm they have for that work; a drive to push their skills to the next level,” said Murphy.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Ransom Poythress received his bachelors from the California Institute of Technology in 2006. Following this, he attended Westminster Theological Seminary as a special student in apologetics and philosophy. He earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology from Boston University in 2013. “My goal is to show students that they are Christians who study science, not scientists who happen to be Christians,” said Poythress, “Houghton provides a real opportunity to transmit my exuberance for biology in a way that is thoroughly consistent with the Christian underpinnings of the entire scientific enterprise.”

Dr. Armenio Suzano, Associate Professor of Music History, hails from Brazil. He played clarinet in the Rio de Janeiro House Symphony Orchestra for 9 years. His term there began after winning a competition and joining as their youngest member at age 16. Upon moving to the U.S., Suzano engaged in multicultural ecclesiastical work with Portuguese-speaking communities in Massachusetts and Spanish-speaking communities in Texas. He received his bachelors at Austin State University in 1997, masters of music at Northwestern University in 1998, and his doctorate of musical arts at the University of Michigan School of Music in 2002.

Prof. Alicia Taylor joins the school as an Assistant Professor of Art. She received her bachelors at Roberts Wesleyan College in 2009, her Certificate in Arts Management and masters of fine arts at SUNY Brockport in 2013. “I am energized by the opportunity to be a part of someone else’s process in finding their voice, within their work and in the world,” said Taylor, “This year, I’m excited to engage with students during this process and foster an environment of freedom, productivity and expression in my classroom through which we can all learn and grow.”

The college is very excited to bring so many new professors on board as it experiences new growth in attendance. As the year begins, be sure to take some time and welcome these professors to Houghton.

 

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Newbrough Named Distinguished Steinway Artist

William Newbrough, Houghton professor of piano, has recently been named as a Distinguished Steinway Artist by piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons. This recognition places him alongside many piano greats in Steinway’s collection, ranging from Rachmaninoff to Billy Joel, and many others.

Newbrough2The process began when Newbrough was looking to buy a piano for personal use after having much experience with Steinway pianos in the studio and the practice room. He was able to strike up a relationship with the manager and owner of Denton, Cottier, & Daniels, a Steinway dealer located in Buffalo and Rochester, and the oldest one in the country and one that Houghton had established connection with in the past. Becoming a Distinguished Artist for Steinway requires a nomination from a dealership or individual with close connections to the company, a nomination that Newbrough received from the aforementioned manager.

After this, Newbrough was invited to apply by for the recognition of being a Steinway artist. “I had never really thought about it so much for myself,” he comments. “The artists they have there are just, ones that I have admired for years and are of such stature in the piano world.” The application process was lengthy, concerning details such as educational pedigree, performance history and future engagements, and perhaps one of the most important, what pianist you have studied under. Dr. Newbrough was a student of Leon Fleisher, another Distinguished Steinway Artist. Newbrough was also required to list his professional recordings and DVDs, as well as provide a testimonial of his opinion on Steinway pianos to be published by the company. The recognition from Steinway is described as a partnership, representing a kind of brand loyalty for fine craftsmanship.

Following sending in his application, Newbrough did not hear anything for the company for eight months, but was contacted soon after a performance at Carnegie Hall. “I would not be surprised if they had a representative there just doing some final verifications,” he says. Newbrough is most excited about the potential doors that the honor affords for both the music department, and Houghton College as a whole, citing the benefits of being connected to a good dealership. “I’m hoping this will potentially … manifest in an opportunity to be an all-Steinway school.” Newbrough also mentioned Steinway’s relationships with other individuals in the music world, hoping to make further connections for future Houghton performances, as well as the visibility that having a Distinguished Steinway Artist at an institution provides. “I would hope that it would be a tremendous draw for students in terms of student recruitment.”

The honor is just another to add to Newbrough’s extensive list of accomplishments, both nationally and globally, but the artist remains humble, looking upward. “Whatever honors are bestowed on me, I direct them heavenwards,” he says, adding that this particular recognition is just one more opportunity to reveal the glory of God. “For me, I never see a recognition as an end in itself … through my performance career, I’m always looking at what are these kinds of things that can open doors for ministry.”

 

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National Sacred Honor Choir Performs at Carnegie Hall

As students returned back from break last weekend, one group of students did not look rested, though perhaps some of them looked rejuvenated.  College Choir spent this past spring break riding in a tour bus and performing in churches from Pennsylvania to Virginia and back.  From gospel music flash-mobs in King of Prussia Mall to Carnegie Hall, the College Choir generally was described as a rewarding experience by participants.

“Overall I felt that this tour was one where the choir connected the most with both each other and the music,” said senior Heather Todd, afterward, this being her third tour with College Choir.  “Our group devotional times became incredibly personal and through sharing of our connections to the text it brought us closer as a group.”  The sense of community by working and sharing together was not limited to music and spiritual growth, however.

Courtesy of media.npr.org
Courtesy of media.npr.org

According to graduate assistant Kelly Van Kirk, “Choir members stepped up, above and way beyond the call of duty all throughout tour.”  One particular situation arose in Philadelphia, PA where the choir was singing at 10th Presbyterian Church.  After some an afternoon of free time in the city, the choir went to the church to unload the trailer with equipment and risers and rest.  “Dr. Johnson had mentioned a mandatory nap time and we were super excited!”  said Todd.  But the van with the trailer broke down a mile from the church, stranded with all of the equipment.  Van Kirk described the experience, “I had to ask people who were short on sleep, had been wandering the city and were expecting a time of rest to skip that rest and carry hundreds of pounds of robes and risers a mile to the church.  I felt terrible, but right away a group jumped up and said, ‘We’ll go.’ I was shocked.”  A member of the group added, “A couple people would trade off every couple of blocks and we managed to get everything back in time for the concert.”  “No one complained for the rest of tour,” said Todd. “We met the worst it could be and we got through it together!”

The climax of the tour was the performance on Sunday afternoon at Carnegie Hall strengthened by the National Sacred Honor Choir.  There were rehearsals for several days before the performance with the group of Christian college students, community members, and students at private Christian schools from the greater New York City area.  Beyond the weekend of preparation and fellowship, the performance itself was agreed to be a memorable experience.  “The hall was amazing!” said graduate student Elizabeth Martindale.  “You could say something, hear it bounce off the wall behind you, go out over the audience and come back from the balconies.”  Despite being a Sunday afternoon, the hall was fairly full, according to Van Kirk.  “I was worried because of the time and day, but there were almost 2,000 people in the audience.”  … “I received really meaningful comments, from the high school students especially,” said Van Kirk who was in charge of most of the New York weekend.  “I think we accomplished our goal of showing the younger singers what a joy it can be to make music for God in this kind of way.”

The College Choir’s home concert is Friday at 7:30 PM in the Wesley Chapel.

 

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National Sacred Honor Choir Prepares for Upcoming Tour

The majority of music majors were out of town for pre-tour concerts in Buffalo and Syracuse this weekend, leaving the music buildings dark and empty. “A musician learns with each performance that which cannot be taught in rehearsal,” says Dr. Brandon Johnson, director of choral activities and recent recipient of the Horne-Blanchard chair here at Houghton. These performances before the “real” tour serve as a check-up for the choir to see what work still needs to be done.

This year the College Choir will be touring from the 27th of February to the 9th of March through the mid-Atlantic states, performing in states along the east coast from NY to Virginia, ending with the concert in Carnegie Hall.

College_Choir“It is part of our mission to share the Good News with people,” said Dr. Johnson. “It is not enough for us to create beautiful music; we also need to share it.”

Most of the performances on tour are in churches with a few concert halls dotting the schedule. Every year the choir receives multiple letters from attendees telling of how the music touched them. “On an educational side,” said Johnson, “we learn the beautiful nuances of the repertoire that can only be achieved through the heightened awareness of performance.” Before each concert, the choir gathers and discusses any new meanings revealed in pieces by the audience’s response or the way certain voices blended to give emphasis to a different word or phrase, lending a new perspective to music the choir has been working on for months.

The flagship performance for this tour is of course the concert in Carnegie Hall. “It’s huge for our visibility as a school,” said 2nd year graduate student Christopher Olsen, choir manager. “Houghton faculty have performed in the small-halls in Carnegie before, but this may be the first time the Houghton name has been in the main hall.”

The College Choir will be joined at Carnegie Hall by members of the Men’s and Women’s Choir, singers from Roberts Wesleyan, a chamber choir from Liberty University, in addition to choirs from several Christian high schools for the performance, together making up the National Sacred Honor Choir. The ensemble, comprising well over 200 people, will rehearse for four days in at Hawthorne Gospel church in northern New Jersey, spending nights at a nearby Salvation Army camp.

Graduate student Kelly Vankirk, coordinator of the National Sacred Honor Choir, spoke with me about her involvement. “It is extremely busy, but it’s a huge honor to be singing such great, spiritually rich music in prestigious hall. We are bringing together Christian choirs from all over the northeast, some from even farther away. One of the goals of our time together is to help the younger singers, and ourselves, to see the context of faith and music together.”

Because of the Carnegie concert, several music professors other than Dr. Johnson will be traveling with the choir and will be giving masters’ classes for groups of advanced high school students before several concerts.This type of teaching serves to advertise for the college’s programs and has been done to a limited extent on past tours, but never to the extent reached this year with Professors Davies, Hijleh, Hutchings, and Newbrough all traveling with the choir.

 

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Houghton-Backed Vocal Group to Give Performance at Carnegie Hall

Members of the Houghton College choirs will be embarking on a trip this spring to perform on the same stage that esteemed musicians such as the New York Philharmonic and The Beatles have graced over the years.

choircloseupcolor3x2jpgLed by Dr. Brandon Johnson, The National Sacred Honor Choir is an ensemble of Christian musicians wishing to spread their faith through music. The choir is made up of both past and present students, faculty, and staff, as well as other professionals and vocalists from around the globe, with Canada, China, Morocco, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe represented among other countries. Accompanied by a skilled orchestra and including performances from professional soloists, the group will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“There is no more venerated hall in the world than Carnegie and launching this new national initiative at such a celebrated place as Carnegie is both an honor and a sacred trust,” Dr. Stephen Plate, Dean and Director of the Greatbatch School of Music, said. “All the music performed will be done to the glory of the Lord by people who join their God-given talents in honor of the God who is the giver of every good and perfect gift.”

In order to practice for the performance, students involved in this opportunity are required to take a great deal of time out of their schedules: approximately seven and a half hours every week just for choir rehearsals. Participation is by invitation or through audition only. Although Johnson and other faculty members have stopped at several Christian institutions on the east coast for auditions, the majority of student auditioners typically send in a letter of recommendation from a voice instructor which outlines their capabilities. Olivia Roland, a sophomore vocal performance major and soloist for the National Sacred Honor Choir, stressed the amount of work and detail that the choir is putting forth to ensure a spectacular performance this spring. “College choir meets every day for an hour and a half or so,” Roland stated, “Rehearsals are extremely rigorous. It’s hard work, but in the end, it will be so worth it.” Performers not only must integrate their voices with others’ in the group but also work on pronunciation, as the majority of the pieces are written in Latin.

Johnson emphasized that the point of the concert was not simply to perform a set of pieces and showcase the ensemble’s vocal abilities. “There are a lot of great musicians in the world and a lot of opportunities to make really great music, but I wanted to explore the ideas behind whether or not it mattered that we’re Christian, whether it mattered in our music-making, not just in an internal way, but in an external way.” Collin Price, a sophomore vocal music education major and member of the ensemble, also expressed the choir’s first and foremost priority as delivering the message of God through music to Christians and non-Christians alike. “I’ve learned that it’s not always what’s written on the page that matters,” Price said, “It’s how you convey the music and what it means to those listening.”

The audience can expect to hear three works during the choir’s performance: Mozart’s “Requiem”, Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy”, and a new contemporary piece, “Cantate Domino,” by Houghton music professor Dr. David Davies. “It promises to be an emotional and powerful performance,” Plate ensured.

The National Sacred Honor Choir will meet together in New Jersey to rehearse for three days prior to their inaugural performance at Carnegie Hall on March 9, 2014.