Close search
Conservatory of Performing Arts

Performance Opportunities for Students

Imagine yourself center stage with the audience captivated by your performance. Or see yourself harmoniously performing alongside peers as part of an esteemed ensemble. At BW, outstanding performance opportunities are abundant at our undergraduate-only Conservatory of Performing Arts.

Your exceptional training begins in the studio with individual lessons with your applied faculty mentor. You'll complement these experiences with numerous solo and Conservatory-wide convocation recitals. Also important to your training are BW performance experiences with large and small ensembles and chamber groups.

Student Ensembles

  • ${alt}
  • ${alt}
  • ${alt}
  • ${alt}
  • ${alt}

Bach Festival

In the Baldwin Wallace Bach Festival, BW performing groups are joined by faculty members and local professional musicians in the three-day, multi-event program. Soloists are internationally known artists; the lecturers, distinguished Bach and Baroque scholars. Students consider the unusual opportunity to participate, as colleagues, with world-class professionals a high point in their performing experience.

Focus Festival of Contemporary Music

The FOCUS Festival features the music of a contemporary composer who visits Baldwin Wallace for a week-long residency. At the conclusion of the week's rehearsals and symposia, the composer's music is performed in a series of concerts, including large ensembles and chamber groups. Featured composers have included Chen Yi, William Bolcom, Loris Chobanian, John Corigliano, Lukas Foss, Karel Husa, Witold Lutoslawski, Krzysztof Penderecki, Gunther Schuller, Joseph Schwantner and Frank Ticheli.

 

Competitions

Hakola Competition
Mel Hakola was a distinguished voice teacher at Baldwin Wallace for 38 years prior to his retirement. The Mel Hakola Prize for Academic and Vocal Excellence was created to encourage and reward voice students who demonstrate exceptional vocal, musical, intellectual and creative talents and abilities and who have the potential to make a significant contribution to music performance. The purpose of this prize is to promote and recognize a high standard of academic and musical excellence among voice students at Baldwin Wallace. The competition occurs during the fall semester, with prize money credited during the spring semester of the junior year and the fall semester of the senior year.

Lauria Concerto Competition
An annual concerto competition occurs each spring and is judged by three professional musicians from outside Baldwin Wallace University. The goal of the competition is to encourage outstanding student performance in the Conservatory through public performance with the BW Symphony Orchestra or BW Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Up to one winner may be chosen for performances with each of these ensembles annually. A monetary award is associated with the prize as well.

Faculty Resident Ensembles

Two chamber groups maintain residence at Baldwin Wallace and receive support from the University. While both include Conservatory faculty members, neither is an entirely faculty ensemble.

The Africa → West Percussion Trio is an ensemble-in-residence at Baldwin Wallace University. It is dedicated to the performance of both Western and non-Western styles of percussion music. CD recordings are available on Stellar Records. Members include:

  • Josh Ryan
  • Ryan Korb
  • Jamie Ryan

The Elysian Trio began its performance tradition as the Baldwin Wallace Faculty Trio in 1948, with the world premiere of Charles Ives' piano trio. The group performs an annual series of concerts on and off the Baldwin Wallace campus. Each of the trio's members is a distinguished teacher and solo performer. Members include:

  • Julian Ross, violin
  • Khari Joyner, cello
  • Robert Mayerovitch, piano

Factory Seconds Brass Trio, established in 2012, brings a distinctive voice into brass chamber music as its members transcribe and perform a growing body of early music and seek collaborations with composers. Each member occupies the second chair position in their respective section with The Cleveland Orchestra. Members include:

  • Jesse McCormick, horn
  • Jack Sutte, trumpet
  • Richard Stout, trombone