The process of making the Steinway-grand-piano-sized cake created by Carlo’s Bake Shop to celebrate the completion of the conservatory’s $2.7 million Steinway Initiative was featured on an episode of the TLC channel show, “Cake Boss” on Sept. 6, almost a year after the celebration. Members of the university community also gathered in Brandt Student Center to watch the episode and partake of – you guessed it – cake!

Shenandoah Conservatory’s professional theatre company, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT) welcomed more than 20,000 visitors during its 33rd season. The 2016 lineup featured four productions, including “My Fair Lady,” “Sweeney Todd,” “The Pirates of Penzance” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” The SSMT company and staff comprised 22 alumni; 15 current Shenandoah Conservatory faculty and staff; and 25 current conservatory students.

The eighth annual National Jazz Workshop welcomed 95 participants from beginner to professional level. Guest artists and ensembles included The United States Army Blues; The Alan Baylock Jazz Orchestra; The Bob Larson Project; The Capitol Bones; The “B’s”; Swampromp and Fairfax County Jazz. Photo Collage, Lee Graff on OMC server. Other photos should be in Image Relay

Under the direction of Director of Music Education and Associate Professor of Music Education Jeffrey Marlatt, Ph.D., this summer’s Music Education Workshops featured Dr. Carol Krueger and Kristine Wolfe and welcomed 75 participants from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Highlights included sessions on ways to incorporate literature in the elementary general music classroom while promoting music literacy, techniques that enhance music teaching and learning through student engagement in music, and choral conducting.

In July, Professor of Flute Jonathan Snowden, A.G.S.M., hosted the third annual National Flute Workshop for aspiring high school flute students. Thirteen students attended classes that focused on sight reading, musical appreciation, tone, and orchestral repertoire, as well as individual lessons. The workshop also featured guest artist Rebecca Collaros and Shenandoah Conservatory D.M.A. candidates Angela Galestro-Smith and Julianna Sabo.

Senior music education major Tierney McDermott has been named a Strong Foundation Scholarship recipient. McDermott is currently student teaching and will receive a $5,000 scholarship to assist her in the goal of teaching music in a public school setting. Since 1928, the Hattie M. Strong Foundation members (HMSF) have supported “young people of promise” in their pursuit of higher education across all fields of study in all regions of the country. In alignment with their traditional focus on education, HMSF offers a scholarship program aimed at college students enrolled in teacher-training programs. McDermott was chosen through a rigorous application, screening and interview process. She is one of two Shenandoah University students to receive the award during the fall 2016 term.

Coordinator of Strings and Professor of Bass Donovan Stokes, D.M., hosted the second Stokes Intensive Workshop. Limited to four participants, the five-day intensive offered progressive tracks/focuses with daily private lessons, small chamber ensemble work, masterclasses, technique classes, pianist rehearsals and performance preparation. Participants performed individually and as a group during the final concert of the Bass Coalition Summer Workshop.

The fourteenth annual Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) Institute welcomed participants from around the country to participate in workshops, masterclasses, performances and more. Associate Professor of Voice (Baritone) and Musical Theatre Styles Specialist Matthew Edwards, D.M.A., and Director of the Graduate Vocal Pedagogy Programs and Professor of Voice (Contralto) Kathryn Green, D.M.A., led the institute.

Directed by Director of Organ and Church Music and Associate Professor of Organ and Church Music J. Thomas Mitts, D.M.A., the Church Music Institute is held for two weeks each summer as part of a three-year cycle of an intensive study of the skills and knowledge required of a musician working in the church. This year’s institute featured guest clinicians and performers Donald McCullough, Eileen Guenther and John Walker, and explored repertoire, spirituals, church leadership and more.

The Instrumental Conducting Symposium featured focused instruction on chamber and full ensemble repertoire, classes and seminars on rehearsal techniques, and discussions on effective podium communication. The symposium welcomed 22 participants from around the country and featured guest conductor Gary W. Hill (professor of music and director of bands, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University) and Shenandoah Conservatory Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting Timothy J. Robblee, Ph.D.

The Dream Yard Project brought eight arts high school students from the Bronx to Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy for a two-week musical theatre intensive that also provided them college prep opportunities, including dorm life experience and activities throughout the Winchester Community, as well as admissions and financial aid discussions. Students worked with several teachers from the arts academy focusing on voice, theatre, and dance performance.