As the spring semester draws to a close, seniors within the LMU College of Communication and Fine Arts are celebrating the culmination of their time here with a series of recitals. The recitals are catered to student vision, and often collaborative. Schedules are tightly packed for seniors like vocalist Elora Dannan, who is performing in several of her classmates and friends’ recitals in addition to her own. “There is a lot of freedom in performing senior recitals. I just have so many talented friends that have asked me to sing in their senior recitals,” she says.
Dannan’s own senior recital is an ode to her childhood hopes for her career as a singer. Her recital closes with a piece called “Glitter and Vogue” by Leonard Berstein. “I saw this piece performed by Kristin Sheneeth when I was 13, and I knew I wanted to sing that song one day,” Dannan recalls. “I told my professor Barbara Dier that two years ago – and she said we will make it happen.”
Emily Ede, a clarinetist, shares Dannan’s praise for the music department faculty. “I have received so much inspiration and guidance from my professors and teachers, which has helped me consider the decision to pursue a master’s degree in music,” she reflects.
Ede performed a never before heard piece – called “Sunset on the Bluff” – with the rest of the LMU Chamber Ensemble, class of spring 2025. This piece was written for the ensemble by internationally recognized composer Ian Deterling. “Sunset on the Bluff is a rich harmonic landscape with rhythmic grooves that represents an ultimate LMU experience,” Deterling reflects.
This special occurrence is thanks to the hard work and creative vision of the LMU music community. Tania Fleischer, director of the chamber ensembles and orchestra, sent Deterling a recording of two chamber ensemble members performing one of his pieces. “He was thrilled,” says Dr. Fleischer. This inspired the commission of “Sunset on the Bluff.” Just like the senior recital process, the composition process was collaborative and student-centered. “I met frequently with the students to discuss their musical preferences, the overall sound they envisioned, and the style that resonated with them the most for the piece,” says Deterling.
The prioritization of student creative vision and collaboration in end-of year performances prepares seniors for professional life. These recitals, whether solo or ensemble, represent the pinnacle LMU music student experience, nodding to where they began and celebrating where they are headed with professional-level performances in the state-of-the-art Murphy Recital Hall. “Being in the LMU program has given me the confidence to pursue music as a career,” concludes Dannan.
