Senior Spot Light: Nicki Whelan

What is your year and major?I am a Senior with a Double Major in Instrumental Education on tuba and a B.A. in voice.

What pieces will you be playing? My recital is both vocal and tuba, so I will be singing and playing a lot of different pieces. For the vocal portion, I have a Franz Schubert set of songs, a French set of songs, and a Samuel Barber set of songs. I will also be doing a duet with another vocalist, Regan Walsh. The tuba portion will be featuring pieces by Antonio Capuzzi, Marcel Marteau and Ralph Vaughn Williams.

What is your favorite piece of music to play (in general or from your recital repertoire)? My favorite piece to play on the tuba would have to be the “Andante and Rondo” by Antonio Capuzzi. I have worked on this piece so much, and it is something I am proud to say I can play. I always like playing this piece the most. On the vocal side, “Nocturne” by Samuel Barber is my all-time favorite. It has some complicated rhythmic stuff and a weird key that I very much enjoy.

What would you like people to know about your recital? A recital like this has not really happened before. There are not many tuba players who are also sopranos in this world that decide to perform a recital on both instruments. It is something unique that everyone should see.

What is one piece of advice you have for incoming music students? I would have to say it would be to get the most out of your time here at UMD. Music classes can take up a lot of your time, but still try to find some time to try new things and meet people from other majors. You may discover something that you never knew you liked.

BY APRILL EMIG Student Life Editor

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