Story by Joe Vinduska
Barton Community College will present a Vocal Masterclass on Thursday, March 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a 45-minute break for supper, in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.
The masterclass will be led by Director of Choirs and Director of the Vocal Area at Kansas Wesleyan University Dr. Anne Gassmann. Her duties include conducting the Philharmonic Choir and Wesleyan Chorale as well as teaching applied voice and other vocal-related courses.Gassmann will work performers on their selections and provide instruction to strengthen the presentation using various vocal techniques. She will address the singer as well as the audience, creating an environment of discovery and learning for all present.
Barton Private Voice students participating are Brianna Bushell of Wichita, Kaitlyn Pohlman of Ellinwood, Alicia Silva of Lyons, Dayton Long of St. John, Hayden Honomichl of Great Bend and Taylor Howard of Lindsborg. Area high school, middle school and elementary school students participating will be Haley Troyer and Caden Rowen of Ellinwood, Andrew Maier of Claflin, and Jadynce Schroeder and Clarise Snapp of Great Bend.
Gassmann received her Doctor of Musical Arts in the Choral Conducting from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. As a strong advocate for lifelong singing, she continues to perform as both an ensemble member and soloist throughout the Midwest. In addition to singing, she enjoys working as a clinician and adjudicator, stressing the significance of connecting with music on a personal level. She holds memberships in American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and National Collegiate Choral Organization.For more information, contact Vocal Instructor Glenna Gaunt at (620) 792-9289 or [email protected].