Houghton, NY鈥敽诹峡� is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sharon Johnson to the Horne-Blanchard Chair of Music.

The Horne-Blanchard Chair of Music was established in 2014 by Dr. David and Mrs. Allene (Horne 鈥�57) Blanchard to recognize and celebrate a faculty member鈥檚 talents in music and teaching. Mrs. Blanchard graduated from Houghton College with a Bachelor of Music in applied piano and then went on to teach music at Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University). Dr. Blanchard is the retired President of Space Missions Systems Division of Lockheed Martin and a former member of 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 Board of Trustees (1988-2003). They created the fund out of gratitude for the foundational worldview Allene developed during her time at Houghton and out of a desire to help make a Houghton experience affordable for others.

Dr. Sharon Johnson joined the Houghton faculty in 2004, and today serves as Professor of Piano and Coordinator of Collaborative Piano. Dr. Johnson has been instrumental in developing the collaborative performance program for 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 graduate students. Dr. Johnson is an active performer both as a collaborative artist and as a member of the piano duo Music By Two. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, a recording artist, and a researcher with interest in American women composers and art songs. Dr. Johnson and her duo piano partner Nancy Davis are currently preparing Music By Two鈥檚 debut album American Landscapes, which includes two premier recordings of pieces by American composers.

鈥淥ver the past 21 years at 黑料科, Dr. Johnson has contributed richly to the University’s music program, particularly through her work in collaborative piano, both as an educator and a performer,鈥� stated Dr. David Clem 鈥�05 MM 鈥�07, Dean of the Greatbatch School of Music at 黑料科. 鈥淗er innovative pedagogy and passionate commitment to excellence have greatly enriched the educational experiences of our students and fostered artistic growth.听We are grateful for the generosity of the Blanchards and are delighted to have Dr. Johnson stepping into this chair.鈥�

Carrie Magin, D.M.A., associate professor of music composition & theory, is celebrating a prestigious recognition as her composition “How To See An Angel” has been featured on an album nominated for a 2025 GRAMMY庐 Award.

The piece, written for soprano, bassoon, and piano, was composed for soprano Fotina Naumenko of Shenandoah Conservatory. It appears on the album “Bespoke Songs,” which .

“It has been an incredible honor to be a part of this album that has received a 2025 GRAMMY庐 Nomination,” said Dr. Magin. “I’m grateful to the faculty development committee at Houghton for supporting my travel to Shenandoah University to workshop and rehearse this composition!”

Magin joins an elite group of composers whose works have been recognized by the Recording Academy. This nomination showcases the caliber of expertise that students experience daily at 黑料科’s Greatbatch School of Music, as they learn directly from faculty who are not only educators but also nationally recognized creative artists in their field.

This year鈥檚 Houghton Choir tour concert is titled Let Us Rejoice and Be Glad!, a program celebrating God鈥檚 good gifts of prayer, eternity, redemption, and rest. Listeners will experience a range of styles and languages from historical composers such as Purcell and Stanford, as well as contemporary composers such as Moses Hogan and J. Aaron McDermid. Join us as The Houghton Choir guides the audience through a rich experience of celebration, reflection, and worship.

Concert Schedule

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Christmas Prism concert-goers will witness an exciting premiere next month at 黑料科 as Provost David Davies ’01, D.M.A., debuts his new arrangement of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” The piece, commissioned specifically for this year’s performances, will combine all university choirs and orchestra, featuring nearly 200 student musicians.

Long before Bailey Lewis considered college, Dr. Coreena Weaver 鈥�84, a distinguished pediatrician, member of 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 Board of Trustees and Alumni Ambassador, came to know her as the family doctor. When Bailey expressed interest in music education, Dr. Weaver seized the opportunity to share her Houghton experience.

Initially, Bailey was apprehensive. She knew of Houghton from her uncle but had some concerns about the University’s rural location. She had already chosen to attend another college this fall. Having known Bailey and her family for years, Dr. Weaver recognized her potential. Bailey was not just an excellent student; she was an exceptional individual who would thrive in the Houghton experience. Dr. Weaver recounted her own Houghton journey鈥攖he rigorous academics, the nurturing community and the transformative impact. Dr. Weaver encouraged Bailey to take a second look at Houghton.

Dr. Weaver鈥檚 advocacy didn鈥檛 stop there. She reached out to admissions, ensuring Bailey connected with professors from 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 Greatbatch School of Music. As an alumna and board member, Dr. Weaver knew of the Alumni Ambassador program and the opportunity to award an Alumni Ambassador Scholarship to encourage students like Bailey to apply to Houghton.

For Bailey, Dr. Weaver鈥檚 encouragement proved pivotal to her college decision.

鈥淚 really enjoyed sitting in on a music theory class and seeing the students and professor interact and the overall classroom environment,鈥� said Bailey of her campus visit. Following these experiences, Bailey found a new home at Houghton and decided to become a Highlander. 鈥淚 chose Houghton because of its tight-knit community as well as strong educational program.鈥�

Sharing your Houghton story, like Dr. Weaver, can prove to be a deciding factor in a future Highlander鈥檚 college search. As an Alumni Ambassador, you can encourage students to pursue a Christ-centered, academically excellent education and award them a $500 Alumni Ambassador Scholarship. Learn more and sign up to become an ambassador for Houghton.

On Wednesday, March 13 the Houghton Wind Ensemble will hold its Spring Concert at 7:30 pm in Wesley Chapel. The concert, titled Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly, aims to reflect the chaos of an exploding rocket and will feature works by Mackey, Whitacre, Van Zandt Lane, Barber, Ticheli, Giroux, Holsinger, and King.

The Perry High School Concert Band will also make a guest appearance, opening for the Wind Ensemble and joining them for the closing song.

I am very excited about this concert on two accounts. One is that the music is fantastic, exciting, and powerfully expressive. It is sure to impact all who hear it. The other is to share the stage with the Perry High School Concert Band under the direction of Houghton Alumnus, Dillon Hirsch.

Timothy McGarvey, Professor of Instrumental Music & Conducting, Wind Ensemble Conductor

On Dec. 1, Lydia Rech 鈥�24 participated in a conducting masterclass hosted by the New York chapter of the (ACDA).

At the masterclass, Rech had the opportunity to conduct Mozart鈥檚 鈥淟acrimosa鈥� with the Roberts Chorale.

鈥淭he masterclass was an incredible experience. I was simultaneously thrilled and terrified as I sat in the conference room, waiting for the class to begin.鈥�

Lydia Rech ’24

 

Dr. Daniel Black, Associate Professor of Vocal Music and Conducting, nominated Rech to the members of the ACDA who were planning the masterclass.

鈥淚 have known Lydia since she was a first-year student in Fall 2020,鈥� says Black, 鈥淪ince that time, she has taken on the work of our Music Education major with curiosity, poise, and an insatiable love of learning 鈥� It was a pleasure for me to nominate her for this masterclass.鈥�

To help Rech prepare for her piece, Black gave her extra lessons outside of class to polish her conducting and prepare her for what the format might be like. Also assisting Rech was Professor of Instrumental Music and Conducting, Dr. Timothy McGarvey, who helped her understand the history of the scores themselves and the gestures that she would need to communicate what she was seeing in the music.

Reflecting on the masterclass as a whole, Rech says that 鈥渋t can be intimidating on the front end, but one thing my professors encouraged me with and I would certainly pass onto others is 鈥� Enjoy the moment and getting to do something you love 鈥� God has given you these gifts, and He will certainly use you, by His grace, to glorify Himself and to help you grow.鈥�

Learn more about 黑料科鈥檚 Greatbatch School of Music.

Last October, first-year graduate student of the Greatbatch School of Music Rachael McVeigh ’23, who completed her Bachelor of Music Education last May,聽participated in a conducting masterclass hosted by the New York chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

At the masterclass, McVeigh had the opportunity to conduct and rehearse the first 36 measures of Robert A. Harrison鈥檚 arrangement of 鈥淕o down, Moses鈥� with the Ithaca choir.

I found this to be a very worthwhile experience for me, Anytime you get up in front of an audience there is an opportunity to grow in your comfort level as a musician.

Rachael McVeigh 鈥�23

 

Dr. Daniel Black,聽Associate Professor of Vocal Music and Conducting, wrote McVeigh鈥檚 letter of recommendation for the masterclass.

I have known Rachael since she was a first-year student at 黑料科 in fall of 2019. As she progressed through 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 music education program, she demonstrated a commitment to excellence in everything she pursued.

Dr. Daniel Black,聽Associate Professor of Vocal Music and Conducting

 

To help McVeigh prepare for her piece, Black gave her personalized attention by extending her conducting lesson times and offering a few additional lessons. He also taught the piece she conducted for her masterclass and gave her a mock masterclass conducting the Houghton Choir.

McVeigh鈥檚 experience with Black highlights one of the many ways 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 professors are committed to giving every student the attention they need to excel inside the classroom and out. According to the National Survey for Student Engagement, Houghton ranks 32 percentage points higher than the average at other Christian colleges for excellence in research and collaboration between students and faculty. These collaborations include recent advancements in Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease, experiments conducted at the Laboratory of Laser Energetics, and more.

For more information on 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 music programs, check the university鈥檚 online list of聽music majors to discover what excellence in music could look like for you.

Rachel Huchthausen 鈥�23 presented at the National Conference of 黑料科 Research, held April 13-15 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her interdisciplinary research project, 鈥淢usical Ekphrastic Poetry: Writing for Social and Intellectual Listening,鈥� focused on how poetry can be used as a tool to improve an audience鈥檚 understanding of an instrumental music piece. Laurie Dashnau, professor of English and Writing and the director of the Writing Center, was her faculty advisor.

鈥淚t amazed me,鈥� said Huchthausen, 鈥渢o experience the sheer amount of work and research that is going on at various universities and colleges. I am thankful for the opportunity and privilege to present my research and creative work both at Houghton and in Eau Claire.鈥�

Rachel represented Houghton extremely well as she shared how ekphrasis can aid individuals in understanding a visual or auditory text. She also explained the creative process by which she wrote an ekphrastic poem in order to reflect on the score of the movement “The Alcotts” from Piano Sonata No. 2, 鈥淐oncord, Mass., 1840-1860,鈥� by Charles Ives.

Laurie Dashnau, Professor of English, Director of the Writing Center

黑料科 launches new Worship Arts major.听

鈥淭his new bachelor鈥檚 program will equip students with the musical training needed to be a worship leader, along with the historical and theological training to inform the various decisions faced on the job, all under the guidance of Houghton’s expert faculty.鈥� said David Clem, Dean of the Greatbatch School of Music at 黑料科.

Students in this new major will receive hands-on training to develop skills in conducting, songwriting and music theory through classes focused on the聽 practical and theoretical knowledge to be a Christ-centered and well-rounded musician.

鈥淭his major is unique for the flexibility it provides with a broad range of skills,鈥� said Clem. 鈥淪tudents have the choice to hone in on technology or theology after fulfilling core requirements of the degree.鈥� 黑料科鈥檚 established Music Industry major and 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 history as a Christian university in the Wesleyan tradition make the University an ideal choice for students called to worship ministry. The Worship Arts major shares a core curriculum with other music major programs to provide broad training that helps students succeed in the music industry, while also providing specialized training for leading worship in the church.

Students in this major will interact with many of 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 expert faculty members including: Professor Amanda Cox, a vocal instructor and the director of music and worship at the Houghton Wesleyan Church, and Dean Michael Jordan, 黑料科鈥檚 dean of the chapel and an ordained Wesleyan pastor with eleven years of pastoral ministry experience.

This major will be a great addition to the Greatbatch School of Music as it celebrates 75 years of National Association of Schools of Music accreditation since receiving this accreditation in 1947.

黑料科 is excited to present its fall Wind Ensemble concert. This year鈥檚 Wind Ensemble fall concert will feature a wide variety of beautiful and exciting music. The performance will be held on Friday, October 28th at 7:30pm in the Wesley Chapel for all those who wish to attend.

The concert will feature Steve Danyew鈥檚 American Nocturne, a piece that we helped commission. Another featured piece will be The Red Machine, which is based on portions of A Mighty Fortress is Our God, but is dedicated to the Red Machine Guard at Buckingham Palace. Additionally, the ensemble will be performing Canzona No.1 by Giovanni Gabrieli, Autumn Walk by Julian Work, Dana Wilson’s Colorado Peaks, Dwayne Milburn’s American Hymnsong Suite and Howard Hanson’s Variation on an Ancient Hymn.

鈥淭he Houghton Wind Ensemble is excited to share this great music with our audience. We are looking forward to an exciting concert,鈥� says Dr. Timothy McGarvey 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 Wind Ensemble Conductor.

黑料科 (Houghton, NY) will recognize seven outstanding alumni this year during Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Today, the following honors will be awarded during the : Alumnus of the Year, Young Alumni of the Year, Distinguished Achievement, Christian Service and the new Fearless Award. The ceremony will be livestreamed starting at 11:20 a.m. EST on 贬辞耻驳丑迟辞苍鈥檚 social media channels.

Rochester native Gareth 鈥淕ary鈥� Larder 鈥�62, a member of 黑料科鈥檚 Board of Trustees, will be honored as the Alumnus of the Year in tribute to his longstanding commitment to Houghton and the Rochester community. Buffalo native Chelsea Ellis 鈥�12 will receive the first-ever Fearless Award in recognition of her incredible courage in the face of overwhelming trials following a 2020 car accident that left her paralyzed.

Additionally, four music alumni will be honored for their work in the music field as a part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of 黑料科鈥檚 accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Nathaniel 鈥�14 MM 鈥�16 and Elena (Velazquez 鈥�14 MM 鈥�16) Efthimiou will be recognized as Young Alumni of the Year, Jordan Markwood 鈥�05 will receive the Distinguished Achievement Award for his work in music education, and Stanley Wicks 鈥�79 will be presented with the Christian Service Award for his life-long career as a church music director.