NDSU’s Division of Fine Arts hosted several music and acting visitors in April.
The NDSU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Warren Olfert, welcomed guest conductor Timothy Reynish April 25-28. One of foremost instrumental conductors in the world, Reynish has conducted ensembles such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and Hallé Orchestra in addition to orchestras in Norway, Holland and Germany. He also has conducted the São Paulo State Symphonic Band in São Paulo, Brazil; Volga Wind Orchestra of Saratov, Russia; and Philharmonic Symphonic Winds of Singapore. Reynish is the senior professor of woodwind and brass at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
While at NDSU, Reynish worked with instrumental conducting students, delivered a lecture for music history and presented a convocation. The residency concluded with Reynish as guest conductor for the Wind Symphony on April 28. The Wind Symphony performed a concert of classic and contemporary British music, including pieces by Edward Gregson, Ralph Vaughan Williams and William Walton.
Sigurd Johnson, director of athletic bands, recently worked with the Ecole Dugald Middle School from Dugald, Canada, as they perfected their marching technique, color guard technique, and drum line concepts and provided an overview of their music for the upcoming season. Under the direction of Corah Ens, the students traveled to NDSU and spent three days with Johnson and several members of the Gold Star Marching Band.
NDSU Theatre Arts welcomed Broadway star and television actress Julia Murney on April 13. She worked with students, taught private voice lessons and held a master class. The class featured a select number of high school seniors and area college students who sang with Murney in an event that was open to the public.
Murney last appeared on Broadway as Elphaba in “Wicked” after playing the role on the national tour for which she received an Acclaim Award.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.
