Annual Standing Ovation concert benefits Southeast Music Academy

The Southeast Missouri Music Academy will present its 11th annual Standing Ovation concert Oct. 10.

This year's concert features a variety of entertainment, from instrumental performances to vocal selections, both original and traditional.

An addition to the Standing Ovation concert for this year is a trumpet fanfare, titled "Academy Fanfare," that was written by Scott Vangilder, head director for Jackson school bands.

Vangilder not only wrote the piece but will be performing it as well, along with Dr. Marc Fulgham, professor of music at Southeast Missouri State University.

"I patterned this after a fanfare that I wrote for my daughter's wedding last summer," Vangilder said. "The 'Academy Fanfare' is written in the Baroque style. It has melody, it has harmony and lots of passages in this style."

The concert started as a fundraiser 15 years ago. It was not scheduled in 2006 to 2008 but returned to the docket in 2009. The concert involves both current and former students.

Mary Bauer, a Music Academy alumna and student at Lindenwood University, will be giving a vocal performance. Those who attended Mike Dumey's "Starz on the Rise" dinner theater will be familiar with her. Bauer studied under Lori Shaffer while attending the academy.

Performances from Southeast music faculty -- Robert Conger, Leslie Jones, Gary Miller, Paul Thompson and Chadie Fruehwald -- will offer an array of instrumentation, from flute, harp and violin to harpsichord and voice.

The Music Academy will also showcase some of its own stars, with performances from Courtney Penzel on harp, Matthew Thompson on flute and Marie and Elizabeth Ansberry on violin.

The Standing Ovation concert is the largest fundraiser for the Music Academy. The academy has provided lessons to people in the community since 1985 when it started as the Music Preparatory Program. The concert helps the academy offer scholarships and tuition waivers.

Students typically study for 30 minutes and get to showcase their work in area retirement centers, nursing homes, hospitals and other outlets. The Music Academy has Suzuki violin students as young as 3.

Following the concert, there will be a dinner in the Glenn Convocation Center at the River Campus. Tickets are $50 per plate, and may be purchased at the Music Academy through Monday. The dinner will be appetizers followed by chicken creole with rice, green beans, salad, bread and chocolate pecan tartlets.

"I know it will be a lot of fun," Fulgham said.

The concert will begin at 4 p.m. Oct. 10 at Shuck Recital Hall. Tickets for the concert are $7, and are available at the door. For more information on the Standing Ovation concert and the Music Academy or tickets to the dinner, call 651-2378.

Pertinent Address: Shuck Music Recital Hall, Southeast Missouri State University River Campus