July 29, 2020
Story by Joe Vinduska
Courtesy photo submitted
SWAG合集 held its first-ever 鈥淪ummer Virtual Student Recital鈥 Friday featuring students who took advantage of the brand-new Summer Lessons program.
Summer lessons have not been offered in the past, but in light of the pandemic SWAG合集 Music Department administrators and faculty wanted to give music enthusiasts and SWAG合集 students the opportunity to take lessons on the instrument of their choice.
Director of Instrumental Music Dr. Luis Palacios and Percussion Instructor Grant Mathews organized the college鈥檚 first fully virtual recital. Dr. Palacios said he is always looking for ways to help people enhance their lives through music.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important that amidst everything going on in our lives, community members have the opportunity to find creative outlets to express themselves and enjoy their summer,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t was wonderful working with students from all walks of life. We had several community members learning an instrument for the first time, as well as freshmen and sophomores from SWAG合集. SWAG合集 is about innovation and we were seeking ways to have a performance amidst COVID-19. This virtual recital gave students the ability to experience performing for each other and engage in a positive way with their fellow artists.鈥澨
The list of performers included SWAG合集 Percussion Instructor Grant Mathews鈥檚 student Logan Hammeke on drums and Director of Instrumental Music Dr. Luis Palacios鈥 students Carol Beck on flute, ReGina Reynolds-Casper on flute, Robert Brining on saxophone, Ted Brown on saxophone, Brook Degenhardt on Trombone, Andre Maier on trombone, Hery Rakotoarisoa on saxophone, Josie Riddle on French Horn, Corrie Upson on Clarinet and Faith Whited on saxophone.
For more information, contact Dr. Palacios at (620) 792-9396 or palaciosl@bartonccc.edu