December 3rd:Voice and Piano Students to Present Fall Recital

Voice and piano students at Coker College will perform a recital, which is free and open to the public, at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Hannah Lide Coker Recital Hall on the campus of Coker College.

“The fall student recital includes samples of repertoire from students taking applied voice or piano lessons with Dr. Jun Matsuo, Eric Kesler or myself,” said Assistant Professor of Music Serena LaRoach-Hill.  “All of the students perform in the recital whether they are music majors, minors or even non-majors.  For many of the beginners and non-majors, this is one of the few opportunities they have to perform solo pieces in public.”

"The student recital is one of my favorite performances.” said senior music major, Latavia Smith.  “It is an opportunity for me to showcase some of what I've been preparing every semester."

In addition to showcasing the work of the College’s traditional music students, the recital provides an opportunity for local high school students enrolled in the PULSE (Partners for Unparalleled Local Scholastic Excellence) initiative to perform for the public.

A key component of the partnership is the Accelerated Learning Opportunities initiative (ALO) that expands curriculum opportunities through collaborative teaching programs with the South Carolina Governor’s School of Science and Mathematics and Coker.  ALO is available to eligible students at Hartsville and Mayo High schools who live in Hartsville.

Now in its second year, PULSE is administered by the TEACH Foundation through a five-year $5 million grant from the Sonoco Foundation. The collaborative program involves the Darlington County School District, South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, Coker College and Sonoco.

This semester’s ALO students are enrolled in classes in dance, piano and vocal studies.

"I am really nervous but extremely excited about the recital,” said Nicole Hyaman, now in her second year as an ALO student. “Compared to where I started, I feel like I've grown exponentially.”

The next public recital for voice and piano will be held at 3 p.m. May 5 in the Coker College Drawing Room.

For more information about Coker College’s programs in performing and visual arts, call Wesley Atkinson at 843-383-8050.  For information about PULSE and ALO, visit www.teachfoundation.orgor call 843-917-0026. 

September 6th: Coker Music to Present Faculty Recital

Coker College Music Instructor Eric Kesler, accompanied by pianist Michelle Wachter, will present a recital at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, in the Watson Theater of the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center. 

The baritone will perform works by celebrated European composers including Hugo Wolf, Maurice Ravel, George Butterworth, Giacomo Puccini, Charles Gounod and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

“I am excited about each piece on the program,” Kesler said. “Each work presents interesting challenges, from varying timbres and textures to different languages and styles.  I am also pleased to bring the audience a selection of pieces, which, although they are by fantastic composers, may not be particularly familiar.”

Kesler has performed throughout the Eastern United States and in Rome. He recently debuted in the University of South Carolina’s presentation of Friedrich von Flotow’s “Martha” and in Offenbach’s “Pepito.”

He is a previous first-place winner in the Advanced Men and Musical Theater categories of the National Association of Teachers of Singing’s Artist Awards competition. 

Kesler serves on the executive board of the Windswept Music Conference and serves as the voice instructor for the annual event. 

With a master’s in music performance and bachelor’s degree in music education from Appalachian State University and advanced level instruction certificates from the Creative Motion Alliance, Kesler is pursuing a doctorate in musical arts from the University of South Carolina. 

Accompanist Wachter is an avid performer and musical collaborator, accompanying both vocalists and instrumentalists. She earned a master’s in piano performance from the University of South Carolina and is continuing her education there, pursuing a doctorate in piano pedagogy.

The concert is free and open to the public.  For more information about the music program at Coker College, visit www.coker.edu.