February 28 – March 1, 2019
Nothing beats winter weather better than a trip to sunny Florida and the College Music Society’s 40th Annual Chapter Conference provided Dr. Alan Goldspiel and Joe L. Alexander the opportunity to not only perform a few of their compositions but also a chance to feel the sun again.
The 2019 College Music Society (CMS) – Southern Chapter’s Conference returned for their once-every-decade appearance at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, bringing college music faculty from all over the southern region together to share new teaching methods, new textbooks, and new research as well as comradery, discussions, and outstanding performances. It’s a chance for college music faculty to “learn from their colleagues and grow in their academic and professional roles.”
As part of the conference, each day concluded with a CMS Composers’ Concert. On Thursday evening, Dr. Alan Goldspiel (classical guitar) performed his new composition Duck, Duck, Soup for guitar and tuba with the assistance of Joe L. Alexander (tuba).
Later in the program, Goldspiel returned to perform Prelude No. 4, Prelude No. 3, and Prelude No. 2 from his piece Five Preludes.
Other composers presenting their pieces Thursday night were Tayloe Harding, Ken Davies, and Olga Harris.
In addition to Goldspiel and Alexander, other performers Thursday evening were Claire Grellier (clarinet), Jesse Gilday (bass clarinet), Yun-Ling Hsu (piano), Richard Kravchak (oboe and sound file), Janet Hopkins (mezzo-soprano) and Armen Shaomian (piano).
On Friday evening, it was Joe L. Alexander’s opportunity to share one of his compositions called Chopawamsic. The piece was performed by James Zingara (trumpet) and a sound file.
Other performers on the program that night were Julia Mortyakova (piano), Cynthia Selph (soprano), Kris Carlisle (piano), Keith Koons (clarinet), Denise Gainey (clarinet), Chris Steele (piano), Guy Harrison (violin), and Lauren Wright (clarinet).
When asked about the conference, Goldspiel stated “It is always nice to meet up with colleagues and perform new music in varied spaces. CMS provides a wonderful opportunity to do so.”