The spring semester has been quite the ride so far weather-wise, being in the negative 20s one week, and the upper 40s the next! Keeping warm in the Music building was a bit of a challenge with the chill winds blowing through due to the ever-changing construction project-- more on that below! Meanwhile, students and faculty alike are gearing up for a variety of music events this semester, giving many the opportunity to showcase their talents. From the Faculty recital to Broadway & Desserts, there are plenty of opportunities to support performers at Dordt... simply by being a member of the audience. So come on out or tune in!
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B.J. Haan and Recital Hall Update
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Top picture: East side of the B.J. Haan Auditorium, facing West
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Bottom picture: East side of the B.J. Haan Auditorium, facing North
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We are seeing significant progress on all elements of the project this January, but especially on (arguably) the most exciting part-- the Recital Hall!! Steel has gone up over the last few weeks so you can really see things start to take shape.The pictures above show the east side of the auditorium, where you can see what will become the structure of the Recital Hall as well as the adjoining lobby/narthex area which will connect the new structure with the existing lobby. Another element will be the connecting point where the new structure meets the existing edge of the music building on the eastern side (under the black tarp), providing additional storage space for instruments. Even through the sub zero temps which Sioux Center saw earlier in the month, things are still moving ahead which is encouraging to see. The west wing is coming closer and closer to being fully enclosed, with new offices taking shape. Currently, the Dining hall is on track to be finished by July 2025-- just 6 months away! Meanwhile, the Recital Hall is on track to completion sometime during the fall semester. The overall lack of snow this winter has been a huge blessing in this whole process!
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Piano Donation Elevates Keyboard Program |
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A new piano has joined the fleet in the music building, due to a generous donation from Bruce Klanderman, a friend of Dordt from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The model is called a 'Steinway M', a smaller grand piano model. Klanderman originally bought the piano for his first wife's birthday, and it was played daily for over 20 years until her passing. As a church musician, he has used the piano consistently as an aid to help him program service music, but recently, Klanderman decided that it was time for a new chapter in this instrument's life.
Klanderman knew that if he donated the piano to Dordt, it would be appreciated for the great instrument it is. He says, "I hope the piano will inspire students to excel in their studies and performance, as well as attract more students to the program." It arrived mid-January, and was promptly installed in the piano studio in the music building. Students will have the privilege of using this instrument during their piano lessons and play it weekly as they practice, perform in studio classes, and accompany other musicians. Julia Veldman, a junior piano performance major, says that the instrument has a warm, rich tone, and that it plays quite similar to the 9-foot Steinway in the B.J. Haan Auditorium. "it can be tricky to get used to the concert grand if you haven't gotten to play it very much before a performance! [This piano] is closer in caliber to a concert grand...Getting a really wonderful piano to practice on regularly is a huge improvement to the piano studio." Julia said she would try to practice as much as possible on it before her recital in a few weeks, but the availability to sign up for it was becoming quickly limited, as all the other students want the chance to try it out! With the increasing number of students taking lessons within the department, the addition of this piano is a great blessing. Thanks to Bruce, his piano will continue to bring joyful music to many, as a sacrifice of praise.
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STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT
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As a native of Orange City, Iowa, Maren Hettinga has been no stranger to the incorporation of education and a Christian worldview. Maren, a junior K-12 Instrumental Music Education major, is involved in many of Dordt's instrumental ensembles as a trumpet player and is also a member of the track team. The community she has built within the music department has been inspiring to her, as she is constantly surrounded by a group of musicians who love to create music together, encourage each other, and make each other better.
For Maren, her music scholarship requirements have helped her bridge the gap between theory and practice. "I have loved taking [trumpet lessons] and learning more about techinque and tone from my teachers... I also really enjoyed playing at the scholarship banquet this past fall." There have been a multitude of performance opportunities for Maren, in ensembles both large and small, over the past 2.5 years at Dordt. These have had a large impact on her skills as a musician, especially when it comes to the skill of listening: "It is important as a musician to be able to hear pitches, tuning, the other sections around you, etc... we work on listening a lot in Wind Symphony, and even taking piano lessons and learning to play other instruments has helped me improve my listening skills." Maren feels confident with how Dordt has prepared her to become a future music educator from a Christian perspective, and believes she has a firm foundation that she'll be able to take with her when she graduates in 2026.
Maren is the recipient of the Stan and Nancy Speer Music Education Scholarship and the Steensma Music Scholarship.
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Faculty recital to feature Ravel
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Every year around this time, a group of Dordt’s music instructors work together to create a Faculty recital. These recitals are an excellent opportunity for students to learn more from their professors about the process of preparing music, presenting it professionally, and how our Christian faith informs the whole process. The year 2025 happens to be Maurice Ravel’s 150th birthday, so an idea was conceived to exclusively perform works of Ravel at this year’s recital. Professor of Music, Dr. John MacInnis, comments, “Ravel’s compositions are demanding for musicians, and they remain popular and frequently performed worldwide forming staples of recital repertoire." The recital will feature works on piano, violin, soprano saxophone, and more.
Since many of Dordt’s music faculty are adjuncts and have other jobs and roles outside of Dordt, they don’t often get the opportunity to collaborate. “the faculty recital gives us a chance to work with each other!” says De Haan, who is a frequent performer at these events, showcasing her abilities as an accompaniment as well as a soloist. Many of Dordt’s music instructors have graduate degrees in music performance, and you would usually have to travel many miles to concert halls in large cities to hear musicians of such caliber perform.
This type of recital also gives professors a chance to relate to their students in a specific way: the nerves, pressure, and excitement of performing! Pam De Haan, who instructs voice and saxophone students, says, “it gives us a chance to perform, and I think the students enjoy hearing their instructors perform as well! For myself, I can help student better in their own preparation of music and dealing with nerves when I get out there and do it myself.” Jennifer Frens, a violin instructor and another participant in this year's recital, agrees, " Performing gives us an opportunity to... practice what we teach our students. Psalm 145 reminds us that 'One generation commends your work to another; they tell of your mighty acts.'" As professors demonstrate the passion they have for music through performing, they are inspiring the next generation of musicians, teachers, and performers to continue making music for the glory of God.
Join us on February 8th at 7pm for this unique program, and a dessert reception afterwards.
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Check out recent music-related articles on the Dordt University website!
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Note: all evening Dordt concerts begin at 7:00pm
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| Saturday, February 8
7:00 p.m.
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Dordt University High School Honor Band & Orchestra Concert
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| Saturday, February 15
1:00 p.m.
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Enjoy an enchanting evening of Broadway tunes and sweet treats! More information at 712-722-6222 or email debra.alons@dordt.edu
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| Saturday, February 15
7:00 p.m.
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De Yager Student Activity Center (Campus Center)
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Student Recital: Julia Veldman, piano
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| Saturday, February 22
1:00 p.m.
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Student Recital: Abe Hall, organ
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| Saturday, February 22
3:00 p.m.
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| Saturday, February 22
7:00 p.m.
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| Wednesday, February 26
7:00 p.m.
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| Thursday, February 27
7:00 p.m.
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If you can't make it in person to any Dordt University concerts taking place in the B.J. Haan Auditorium, join remotely via livestream.
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Dordt University
700 7th St. NE
Sioux Center, IA 51250
dordt.edu
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