SMT brings music to the masses through FB vignettes

The challenges provided by the pandemic have not curtailed the music making taking place in the School of Music & Theatre. As a means to keep audiences engaged, SMT has launched Facebook Fridays, one or two vignettes every Friday to showcase “the amazing caliber of faculty and the creative work they’re doing with our student ensembles.”

Dr. Carol Dusdieker, a soprano, and her husband, Thaddeus Archer, trumpet instructor, were the featured performers in the debut performances for Facebook Fridays on Oct. 9.

“All of us during the pandemic have committed to keeping each other safe but that has led to some isolation,” Carol says. “When we looked at our performance schedule for 2020-21, we knew we had to move everything virtual for the fall to keep everyone safe.”

Facebook Fridays was a playful vehicle to bring music to the masses. It’s a great way to build community and give a glimpse of all of the amazing work emanating from in Brenneman Music Hall and Founders Hall.

SMT has committed to weekly “concerts” through the end of the fall semester, proving “no challenge can hold back our music making,” Carol says.

Reaction to the first installations of Facebook Fridays was fantastic, garnering more than 1,500 views combined. “It was exciting how people gravitated toward them,” she adds. “We can’t wait to continue to grow our audience and continue to stay engaged with our communities.”

In the coming weeks, you can expect to find Facebook Fridays performances by students Erika Warnke, David Carey and Ryan Riley, performing excerpts from their senior recitals. Additionally, ensembles and soloists will be providing sneak peeks of upcoming events. SMT faculty soloists round out the lineup for Facebook Fridays, including Doug McConnell (accordion), Joan McConnell (organ), Scott Kretzer (percussion), Benjamin Czarnota (voice), Jeff Manchur (piano) and Donna Gross (dance). Carol is planning a return in a premier of Doug’s composition of “A Song Cycle.”

Check out the SMT’s Facebook page to watch the performances.