Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-natiOnal.ORg WintER 2014 PAN PIPES 25 dr. dennis Friesen-Carper Dr. Dennis Friesen-Carper was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Beta Lambda Chapter in May. Dr. Freisen-Carper is Reddel Professor of Music at Valparaiso University where he teaches composition and conducts the symphony, opera, oratorio, and musical theatre. He was recently named Principal Guest Conductor of the Wenqin Symphony Orchestra at Zhejiang University in China. He has served as Music Director for Indiana Opera North, the Pasadena Philharmonic, and the Northwest Indiana Youth Symphony. Guest conducting appearances include the South Bend Symphony, Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, DuPage Symphony, the Elkhart Symphony, Jiangsu Symphony, and the Zhejiang Symphony. is season he has been invited to make his debut as conductor and composer with the traditional Chinese orchestra of the Shanghai Conservatory. His previous academic positions include teaching posts at Goshen College and Bethel College (Kansas) and in public schools. He has served as festival conductor and clinician from Texas to Ontario, conducted and performed in over forty states, China, Canada, Europe, Korea and Japan and with the Indiana University South Bend Philharmonic, Great Lakes and Lutheran Summer Music camp orchestras. He holds a Master's and Doctorate in Musical Arts from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and a Bachelor's Degree from Bethel College, Kansas. Active as a composer and arranger, Dr. Friesen-Carper has served as Composer-in- Residence for the Northwest Indiana Symphony, and has fulfilled commissions for the Houston Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Houston Chamber Singers, South Bend Symphony, Southwest Michigan Symphony, Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, Zhejiang Symphony, colleges, seminaries, churches, and schools. His work has been published by Santa Barbara Music Publishers, Augsburg Fortress, and Faith and Life Press, and recorded by Minnesota Public Radio, Platshon, Valpo ArtsMedia, and Pro Arte. robert mCFarland Robert McFarland was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Philadelphia Alumnae in April. With a ready repertoire of over 114 major roles, dramatic baritone Robert McFarland's has performed from Milan to Barcelona to London to Toronto and New York, with the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera. He has recorded with renowned artists Placido Domingo as Iago in Otello, Jose Carreras as Escamillo in Carmen, and Roberto Alagna as Lord Nottingham in Roberto Devereaux. His National Metropolitan Opera Auditions success in 1979 led to an eight-year, 27-role career at New York City Opera. Robert McFarland is frequently engaged for oratorio performances of Elijah, Joshua, Messiah, Verdi's Requiem, Brahms's Requiem and modern works such as Penderecki's Passion of Christ According to St. Luke. He is also a renowned Christian recording artist having received high praise for his two sacred albums, Stormy Winds and Nothing Between. He experienced great success in the 2002 production of Tosca at Opera North (Leeds, UK) and was named Artist of the Year for his portrayal of Scarpia. In 2004 Robert McFarland founded e Atlantic Coast Opera Festival in Southern New Jersey with the support and encouragement of his mentor SAI Honorary Member Beverly Sills. e festival grew to national status supporting thousands of young artists fulfilling the mission of bridging the gap between the graduate school & conservatory to a full professional career. A graduate of Texas's McMurry University and recipient of the Performance Certificate from Indiana University School of Music, he has taught voice for over 25 years including master classes in Europe, Canada, South America, and in the United States. He has also served as an adjudicator for the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Metropolitan Opera Auditions, and many other national vocal competitions. He was awarded the title of Artist In Residence for Temple University. He currently teaches at McFarland Artist's Voice Studio in Philadelphia with three other studios in New York, New Jersey, and Colombia. Along with performing over 114 operas, he has conducted and directed many operas internationally. He is the founder and General Director of Opera Seabrook located in Salem, NJ, where he, along with an international staff, provides many opportunities for young artists of the United States. He is developing new opera programs and a Master's degree program with the Colombian Government and the McFarland Artists Management International performance division. A newly appointed Artist in Residence of the Walt Whitman Arts Center, McFarland oversees the activities of Opera Seabrook. distinguished members natiOnal aRts assOCiatE a man or woman who is nationally recognized for distinguished contribution to the arts the parents who can afford to pay – while talented children from poorer families miss out," he said. Warning about the impact of popular TV talent shows, which mainly focus on pop singers, Sir Peter warned: "We are in grave danger of losing — through not learning or experiencing — centuries of a wealth of wisdom and works." e composer, who lives in Orkney, has recently been given the all- clear aer a cancer battle and plans to stand down as the Queen's composer in March next year. However, he said he plans to use his retirement to focus on helping make classical music more accessible to young people. Ms Benedetti, who last won the best female artist at the Classic Brit Awards in October 2013, argued earlier this year it is ridiculous that classical music was marginalized in schools because of the perception that children do not find it "fun." e 26-year-old, from West Kilbride, said: "Since when did everything have to be fun? Music can be fun and enjoyable, but it also provides a way to go as deep as you can into our history and our understanding of humanity." EDUCATION continued from page 7

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