West Bend, WI – There’s a recital on tap Sunday, November 22 by Kathryn Flynn as she works to complete her undergraduate degree at UW – Eau Claire.
Kathryn filed the article below.
Come this December 2020, I will be graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a Bachelor’s of Music-Vocal Performance degree. I was fortunate to have the encouragement and flexibility of my voice faculty at UW-Eau Claire help accommodate my request to move my recital to a location that could host a smaller live audience; but also give the option to livestream the recital as well, for both faculty and friends in Eau Claire as well as those close to home that don’t feel comfortable coming to a live performance.
While the UW-EC faculty was extremely helpful in making accomodations for me to host my recital off-campus, it has been a beautiful experience seeing members of my community come together to help support me and my dreams and ambitions.
Although this recital is technically a requirement for me to graduate with a performance degree, I’m looking at it more as an opportunity to give a well-rounded, well-rehearsed performance for the first time since March 2020, complete with a live audience and gorgeous music with the help of some of Southeast Wisconsin’s finest musicians.
Julie Johnson will be accompanying the recital on piano.
Lisa Kitzke (Violin I), Karla Siegler (Violin II), Beth Getman (Viola), Christine Wiese (Cello), and Peter Gibeau (Bass), and Julie Johnson (Harpsichord) will be accompanying the Handel set, which is where the inspiration stemmed from for the title of my recital: “Handel”-ing 2020.
Despite multiple initial obstacles and quick learning experiences, this final product leading up to the recital has been a beautiful fusion of many community efforts to help a “hometown girl” accomplish what she set out to do just a few short years ago.
The seeming “privilege” to be able to perform live music for a larger group of people who have been without live performing arts for the entirety of the past 9 months or so feels entirely like a blessing, but a blessing I have worked for diligently.
A lot of credit goes to my voice teacher, Dr. Mark Mowry who has graciously given me the tools and techniques to improve my craft.
The recital will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Bend, 1044 S. Silverbrook Drive, on Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m.
Social-distancing measures will be in place and masks will be required. The entire recital lasts about one hour, alongside a 15-minute intermission.
