A musical culmination

Dec. 12—It started with an idea in the 1990s when Southwestern Community College began their School for Music Vocation (SMV).

"The idea was to have our students every semester to have our music majors present a recital that is like a culmination of every class, every lesson they're taking with us," SMV Co-Director Dr. Jeremy Fox said. "It would act as a barometer of their growth as they go through college with us."

This semester's recital will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 and end at 4 p.m. Friday Dec 16. Students will perform in the Instructional Hall room 520, also known as Recital Hall, every hour on the hour over the four days.

"It's quite literally a parade of recitals," Fox said. "It's a ton of music happening for four straight days."

While recitals are a common practice among music programs, SWCC's offers a little extra for its students.

For starters, students at a traditional music program would only do a recital if they are upperclassmen. SWCC offers all students the opportunity to showcase what they've learned. But SMV has never been a traditional program.

"A lot of other colleges have this but it's only in one discipline. If you're a voice major, you'd only sing some classical pieces," Fox explained. "This program is really built on giving them a broad base of skills so these recitals reflect that. Not only do they sing a classical voice piece, but many of them will sing a pop or jazz piece."

For co-director Tobi Crawford, taking the job at SWCC two years ago was like coming home. "I went to this school 25 years ago — I'm a product of this school," she said. "Most universities and colleges just teach classical. We are unique that we have a heavy focus on jazz and now more than ever, pop and contemporary because that's where a lot of our students are going to be."

This unique style has helped the program attract talent from all over the country and the world. This year's group features students from eight different states and Canada.

Thursday's final performer, Emma Midcalf, was all set to attend the Iowa State University for music education until a vocal jazz camp at SWCC sparked a new idea.

"I thought, what if I came here first to learn about all kinds of music and then go to Iowa State?" she said. " Dr. Fox and Tobi Crawford said hey do you have plans to become an educator? You should come here first, dip your feet into everything and specialize afterward."

A sophomore at SWCC, Midcalf has been accepted to continue her education next year at Iowa State.

"Every semester we have the opportunity to perform and showcase what we've learned," Midcalf said. "I've had so many opportunities since coming to Creston, of all places. All of the SMV faculty have helped us get opportunities to have gigs in Creston. I'v played at Hot Air Brewing and the Creston Arts Center."

Modern musician

Since coming back to her alma mater, Crawford has been able to view the program from a fresh perspective.

"I think me coming here and looking at the program from an outside perspective has prompted us to make a few changes," she said. "We're responding to the modern day musician. They need multiple streams of income — they can't just be a singer. You need to be able to play piano for yourself or students. Most of us compose in some way."

Instead of a heavy focus on classical piano, Crawford said they've focused on piano styles the students are actually going to use. "We're making our curriculum actually practical for when they leave here," she said. "This year they are accompanying themself or someone else which is what they are going to do."

In addition to studying contemporary music, the school also has classes for composing and recording.

"Many of our students are writing songs for the first time so they'll be presenting their songs maybe for the first time ever," Fox said. "And our recording studio students will play their semester projects they've been working on. This is a piece they went into our studio and produced it, helped mix the audio."

The ability to study many genres is what attracted Kiersten Conway, a first-year student to transfer from Central College in Pella. "Previously, I took classical piano and classical voice, and then occasionally had a voice lesson for a pop ensemble I was in," she said. "Now, I am taking applied classical voice, classical piano, jazz voice, bass, drums and songwriting lessons, and am able to perform a piece for each of those at my final project."

Conway is preparing eight pieces for her final project which she will perform at 1 p.m. Thursday. The pieces are in varying styles ranging from jazz standards, classical pieces and pop pieces.

Midcalf is most excited for her bass final where she will sing and play the bass at the same time. "I've never done that before," she said. "I picked a contemporary song called Capillary."

Dedication

Many of the students are performing in each other's recitals and have been rehearsing around the clock in preparation. Crawford said they even had to implement a schedule for the recital hall due to the number of students trying to practice.

"I spoke to one student there until 1 a.m.," Crawford said. "They are a very unique group of people. Never felt this sense of community from a group of students before. They are all supporting each other. They're listening to each other practice, helping, giving tips, feverishly working so hard together."

Midcalf said it's an absolute joy to be a part of other people's projects. "I get to play with quite a number of my friends and a faculty member too," she said. "That's one of the hidden secrets here, we all want to work together. I think it's really awesome that we have the opportunity to be on everyone's project."

Conway also said her favorite part is being able to perform on other people's projects and see how much progress they have made this semester.

Community

While students and professors in the program provide overwhelming support for each other, they say it's time to let the community in on the fun.

"I think sometimes, we get really wrapped up in doing everything all the time. We sometimes forget there's a whole community that doesn't know this place exists," Midcalf said. "If more people were to come, it would be special. Then the word would get out about this crazy, tiny music program."

Though the shows are performed over a four day period, Fox welcomes visitors to stop by for even just an hour. "Just check it out and see if you enjoy yourself, and know that exists for future semesters," he said. "Most of our more advanced students tend to be in the afternoon. By advanced, I mean those who have been here the longest and are upperclassmen of sorts."

There will be 22 different students performing over the four day period.

"It's really unlike any other music college I've taught at or know about," Fox said. "It becomes a big celebration at the end of the semester."

Schedule

Tuesday, Dec. 13:

10 a.m. — Marcus Brewer

10:50 a.m. — Gabriel Cort

1 p.m. — Broderick McKenzie

2 p.m. — Jake Almgren

3 p.m. — Josh Evert

Wednesday, Dec. 14:

10 a.m. — Austin Mattison

10:50 a.m. — Quinn Williams

1 p.m. — Alec Hennings

2 p.m. — Dan Shimon

3 p.m. — Katie Graham

Thursday, Dec. 15

9:15 a.m. — Lily Malone

10 a.m. — Jeremia Gardiner

10:50 a.m. — Jaysione Veil

1 p.m. — Kiersten Conway

2 p.m. — Emily Rapczynski

3 p.m. — Emma Midcalf

Friday, Dec. 16:

9:15 a.m. — Mia Prosperi

10 a.m. — Jaden Tabor

10:50 a.m. — Hunter Moore

1 p.m. — Kierra Sandhurst

2 p.m. — Elijah Thiessen

3 p.m. — Ethan Dix