Professors Share Musical Gifts at Faculty Recital

Although many of the musical events at Trinity feature student ensembles and choirs, faculty and professors of the College’s music department had the opportunity to showcase their talents at the Music Faculty Recital on September 11 in the Van Namen Recital Hall.

“The recital provides a great night of music and also lets students hear their professors perform,” said Dr. Mark Peters, professor of music. “We hope it will also encourage some students to join a music ensemble or take private lessons if they’re not already.”

Peters opened the event with prayer and the concert began with an African-American spiritual, “Give Me Jesus” performed by Dr. Helen Van Wyck, professor of music. The evening took the audience through a variety of performances including a cornet duet by Peters and Dr. Ken Austin, professor of music, and a guitar solo by Jonathan Roth, the College’s new lesson instructor.

“As a music student, the recital helped me to realize and appreciate the wonderful, talented faculty that I have the pleasure of studying under,” said Leah Laky ’13 of Grand Marais, Minnesota. “What other students can say that they learn from people capable of mastering Bach, Mendelssohn, and Villa-Lobos?”

About Jonathan Roth

Jonathan Roth, a Chicagoland native, composes classical guitar music. Roth attended Pepperdine University, where he studied with Christopher Parkening for his undergraduate work.

Roth began graduate studies at the University of Southern California Thornton School Of Music where he completed degrees under the instruction of Scott Tennant.

Roth taught as an instructor of guitar at Pepperdine from 2008 until 2011, when he moved back to the Midwest and taught at Indiana University South Bend. This year, Roth agreed to take on the role as Trinity’s guitar instructor. Roth has recorded two solo albums, “Meditations” and “Nostalgia.”

Upcoming Music Events at Trinity

September 23: Southwest Symphony Orchestra, 4 p.m., Ozinga Chapel Auditorium

September 28: Black and White Dress-up Night of Jazz, 7:30 p.m., Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, free admission

October 26: Fall Instrumental Concert–Wind Ensemble, 7 p.m., Ozinga Chapel Auditorium, free admission