2008 Woodie Awards
Pacific hosts 60 years of Music in May
Duncan McGregor
Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: News
Since 1948, Pacific University has been home to the high school music festival, Music in May. This year, Music in May, celebrates its 60th anniversary as students from Oregon, Washington and Idaho come to Pacific University.
Pacific sends out invitations to every high school in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, inviting conductors of all varieties to nominate students. Directors then write recommendations and students are chosen based on these recommendations. Music in May accepts 300 vocalists, 170 band members and 80 orchestral members every year.
At Music in May, three ensembles, an honor band, orchestra and choir, have three days to put together a concert without ever having performed together.
Dr. Michael Burch-Pesses, director of bands, described Music in May as, "A magical event."
Four hundred and fifty high school students who have never met go from being complete strangers to a highly refined musical ensemble and they all leave with a smile."
The festival goes from May 22 to May 24. The concert is on the last day and starts at 3 p.m. and will be held in the Pacific Athletic Center. According the Burch-Pesses, the event usually draws a full house.
Music in May is huge endeavor, one which takes almost all year to orchestrate. Santha Zaik, a librarian at Pacific, has been helping manage the organizational end the event for 17 years.
Drawn exclusively from high school students, the honor ensembles are directed by some of the best-known directors in the United States.
This year Virginia Allen will conduct the orchestra, Anthony Maiello will conduct the band and Jessop will conduct the choir.
Virginia Allen teaches conducting at the Juilliard School of Music. Maiello is one of the leading wind ensemble conductors in the nation, Burch-Pesses describes him as being able to rehearse without a score-a testament to his skill. Jessop is the director of the Morman Tabernacle Choir.
Music in May is differentiated from many other high school music festivals because of its extensive mentor program. This year, 30 students applied.
According to Burch-Pesses, they do everything from escorting musicians around campus to bed checks, but their most important role is recruitment.
"Students who are not necessarily interested in continuing their studies in music see that many of the musicians at Pacific are non-music majors. Its a big draw."
Music in May is another major recruiting mechanism for Pacific, although what Burch-Pesses describes is not a hard sell. He cites the beautiful campus, excellent musicianship, and friendly mentors as the primary recruiters.
Pacific sends out invitations to every high school in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, inviting conductors of all varieties to nominate students. Directors then write recommendations and students are chosen based on these recommendations. Music in May accepts 300 vocalists, 170 band members and 80 orchestral members every year.
At Music in May, three ensembles, an honor band, orchestra and choir, have three days to put together a concert without ever having performed together.
Dr. Michael Burch-Pesses, director of bands, described Music in May as, "A magical event."
Four hundred and fifty high school students who have never met go from being complete strangers to a highly refined musical ensemble and they all leave with a smile."
The festival goes from May 22 to May 24. The concert is on the last day and starts at 3 p.m. and will be held in the Pacific Athletic Center. According the Burch-Pesses, the event usually draws a full house.
Music in May is huge endeavor, one which takes almost all year to orchestrate. Santha Zaik, a librarian at Pacific, has been helping manage the organizational end the event for 17 years.
Drawn exclusively from high school students, the honor ensembles are directed by some of the best-known directors in the United States.
This year Virginia Allen will conduct the orchestra, Anthony Maiello will conduct the band and Jessop will conduct the choir.
Virginia Allen teaches conducting at the Juilliard School of Music. Maiello is one of the leading wind ensemble conductors in the nation, Burch-Pesses describes him as being able to rehearse without a score-a testament to his skill. Jessop is the director of the Morman Tabernacle Choir.
Music in May is differentiated from many other high school music festivals because of its extensive mentor program. This year, 30 students applied.
According to Burch-Pesses, they do everything from escorting musicians around campus to bed checks, but their most important role is recruitment.
"Students who are not necessarily interested in continuing their studies in music see that many of the musicians at Pacific are non-music majors. Its a big draw."
Music in May is another major recruiting mechanism for Pacific, although what Burch-Pesses describes is not a hard sell. He cites the beautiful campus, excellent musicianship, and friendly mentors as the primary recruiters.
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