Music Students to Perform in Spring Recitals

by Steve Ellis

Shirley Cameron and Leigh Ann Ryan are a little more excited about the coming of spring this year than they usually are. The turning of the seasons comes just before their joint junior recital on Thursday, March 28.

Cameron, a soprano from Summerside, and Ryan, a flautist from Cornerbrook Newfoundland, are just two of several students who have been chosen to give recitals this year.

"We've been together since first year. We're good friends and it's fun to work together. . . we're going to be doing a duet and we're pretty excited about it," said Cameron.

Every year, late in the second semester, a student recital series gives top-performing third and fourth year music students a chance to showcase the results of their hard work since they first began their music education at UPEI. This year 7 students have been selected to perform, based upon an application process and an audition prior to the Christmas holidays.

The UPEI music department does not offer a degree in performance, only a Bachelor of General Music and a Bachelor of Music Education. Despite this, much time and effort is put in by students and faculty in preparation for recitals such as these.

"Even though UPEI's music program focuses on education, we are still performers," explained Cameron, who plans to go on to teach in second-

THINK

ary school.

"We can go on to our masters of performance, which myself anda couple of other people who are doing recitals this year are planning to do," addedRyan. |

Cameron believes that these recitals are an important chance for the rest of the university to become in- volved with the music department. "The music department is very insular. . . we're away from what is going on at the rest of the university. [The recitals] give us a chance to show people what we're doing here and to let people know that we're alive and well and producing some high quality musi- cians."

Cameron urges staff and students and faculty from other departments to come out to these recitals. "It [music] is an important facet of life. It rounds out a person and adds to your charac- ter. .. whether you are performing or simply listening as an audience mem- ber."

Cameron and Ryan will be assisted by Frances McBurnie and Jacqueline Sorenson.

Other students who are perform- ing include Sean Trainor, euphonium; Jeff Zaat, percussion; Karen Rose, clarinet; Kim Mooney, piano and Carrie-Ann Matheson, piano. The student recitals begin on Friday, March 22.

The Panther Prints March 19, 1996

1000 Mona Lisas New Disease (RCA)

This band gets points for good song titles such as "I'd Rather Die Than Have To Touch You". Unfortunately, that's all they have going for them. Every song sounds the same with the lead singer screaming unintelligible lyrics to an uninspired guitar. Overall, they are a garage band at its worst.

-- D. Murray

Cowboy Junkies Lay It Down (Geffen) Lay it down is the sixth album from the Cowboy Junkies. The ethereal voice of Margo Timmins mixed with the acoustic

. guitar of Michael Timmins create a sound

unique to the Cowboy Junkies. The album is mellow, and at the same time it has a distinctive groove. Unfortunately, the songs tends to blend together, while this album will probably not produce a hit single like "Sweet Jane" or "Misguided Angel" from the previous recordings, it is an enjoyable album, and definitely worth a listen.

-- D. Murray

Melissa Etheridge Your Little Secret (Island Records)

This CD is a must have for any Etheridge fan and a great introduction for new listeners. After listening to the driving rhythm of the title track I was hooked. The album shows the range Melissa Etheridge is capable of -- from a slight country influence to pure rock. This CD was my award for best liner notes -- they separate to make a puzzle of sorts, and you can change the cover photo.

-- A. Chisholm

Love is ...reflections on life and love Various Artists (BMG)

This CD bills itself as having "14 of the most romantic songs ever" including tunes from George Michael, The Cowboy Junkies, Aretha Franklin, and Dolly Parton. While the artists may be eclectic, the songs are all romantic ballads. Sure, this much romance many be overkill, but the mix of old hits and newer favourites is sure to appeal most listeners. After all, there is a little bit of sappy romantic in all of us: Besides who could resist a bit of retro Rick Astley?

-- A. Chisholm

Nacho Cano self-titled (Virgin Records)

The fact that all the lyrics are in Spanish really helps this CD. But then, I just have an unusually strong distaste for lyrics of any kind. The CD does well as plain music, without some silly message or story being chanted at you. If you like your music to be music, and not a billboard for someone's opinions or "I want your money, but sorry I can't write a song to save my life", then this would be a reasonably worthwhile CD.

-- Jonathan Davis

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