April 10, 2016 Texas Round Up Concert!
A Round Up of Texas Based Composers and their Work featuring: 

Peter Fischer, Composer

Peter Fischer is Associate Professor of Music at Texas Tech University where he teaches composition and theory. His works have been performed nationally and internationally. He was named the Grand Prize winner of the 2008 International Society of Bassists for his Sonata for Contrabass and Piano.  New works include Primordial, for orchestra, and many recent works for wind ensemble: Dancing in Magic, Prelude and Waltz, The Ygdrassil Prelude, and Firedance. Virtuosic piano works include Rings of Crystalline Sky, Notturno I, and Notturno II.  Recent choral works include Twilight, Echo, Leave it Better, O Magnum Mysterium, and I Would Live In Your Love. In the last year he completed work on a Violin Concerto, the choral work, Shine, and a String Quartet.  The Violin Concerto was premiered in March of 2014 by the TTU Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of David Becker with John Gilbert as soloist. The Trumpet Concerto was premiered by the TTU Symphonic Wind Ensemble under the direction of Sarah McKoin with Will Strieder as soloist. His Piano Quartet in three movements was just premiered in February 2016 by the world renowned Amara Piano Quartet. Works in the coming two years include a Symphony No. 1 (2016), a revised Viola Concerto for electric viola and electronics (2016), a Piano Concerto (2016-7), and a Cello Concerto (2016). Dr. Fischer studied composition with Dinos Constantinides, Peter Hesterman, Mark Lee, Paul Haydn, and Jan Bach.  He studied electronic and computer music with Stephen David Beck. He studied piano with Cynthia Geyer, Mark Lee, and George Sanders. He completed a DMA in Music Composition at Louisiana State University and holds degrees in Music and English Literature from Illinois Benedictine College, and a Master’s Degree in Music Composition from Eastern Illinois University.

---

Shannon Denise Talley, Soprano

Shannon Denise Talley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Southern Utah University and a Master's of Music in vocal performance from The University of North Texas. From California to New York Ms. Talley's performance experience includes various genres ranging from Broadway to oratorio. Her experience with professional companies and summer artist programs includes: Opera Theater of the Rockies (Vocal Arts Symposium), Fort Worth Opera Studio, Seagle Music Colony, Opera in the Heights, Fort Worth Opera, The Living Opera, Midland Opera Theatre and Los Angeles OperaWorks. Venturing to Lubbock, Texas in 2009 and 2010, Ms. Talley focused on post-graduate research as an AT&T Chancellor's Fellow and Teaching Assistant at Texas Tech University. It was there she began working with the talented composer and instructor, Dr. Peter Fischer. She also enjoyed the privilege of singing the role of Mimì in La Bohème with Texas Tech Opera Theatre and a touring performance with Midland Opera Theatre. Ms. Talley sang her first European Tour in June, 2014 as a soloist and section leader with First Presbyterian Church & Plano Civic Chorus throughout France and Spain. Shannon believes vocal music is a gift for everyone to enjoy. ​​

---

Jason Smith, Pianist

Jason Smith came to Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University as a vocal coach in 2007. Prior to his arrival he served as the Young Artist coach and later as principal coach for the Fort Worth Opera. In addition to his responsibilities at Meadows, he is active on the musical rosters of both the Fort Worth and Dallas Opera companies.  Smith has also been part of the vocal coaching faculty at the Seagle Music Colony in the Adirondacks of New York for 10 consecutive summers. ​Smith received a Masters of Music in opera coaching from Florida State University after completing a two-year Young Artist appointment at the Utah Opera in Salt Lake City. He earned a Bachelors in Music in piano performance from the University of Utah.

---

Paul Sánchez, Composer & Pianist

​Praised for his “virtuosity and poetry” (Vladimir Leyetchkiss, 2013), and “his ability to create uniquely evocative atmospheres,” the “irresistible inevitability in his timing… his original and thoughtful interpretations, full of expressive power and poignancy,“ (Adam Golka, 2012), pianist Paul Sánchez has concertized in North America and Europe, has appeared on CBS national television, and is an active recording artist. His most recent CD release, Steal Away (Yellow Einstein Records, 2014), features music of Shawn Okpebholo in collaboration with vocalists Will Liverman and J’nai Bridges. Sánchez is the only American concert pianist to earn a Master of Spanish Music degree under Alicia de Larrocha. His research in Spain as a Fulbright Fellow led to the release of a CD, España: Piano Music of Spain (Mundo Arts, 2006). His most recent solo album, Paul Sánchez: In Recital (Athyr Records, 2012), features music by Mompou, Soler, Schumann, and Liszt. An avid composer himself, his music will be featured in two CD releases set for 2016 on the Soundset and Albany labels. Dr. Sánchez is on faculty at Baylor University’s School of Music, and previously taught at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music. Sánchez is a frequent adjudicator in piano competitions throughout the United States. In 2006, he founded the Dakota Sky International Piano Festival, which has since served thousands of listeners and students. Sánchez studied with Tamás Ungár at Texas Christian University, and with Douglas Humpherys at the Eastman School of Music, where he completed his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. Sánchez lives in Waco, Texas, with his wife, soprano Kayleen Sánchez.

---

Kayleen Sánchez, Soprano

Soprano Kayleen Sánchez is an imaginative, inspiring, and deeply communicative artist and teacher. Recent appearances include performances with the Haymarket Opera Company, the Newberry Consort, the St. Charles Singers, and the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. In 2013, Sánchez and lutenist Laudon Schuett formed BEDLAM, an early music duo. BEDLAM has performed for the Phoenix Early Music Society, Pegasus Early Music, and the Rochester Early Music Festival, and has been broadcast on Rochester’s WXXI, WWFM’s “Well-Tempered Baroque”, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and Arizona PBS. Their debut album, BEDLAM (Athyr Records) was released in 2015. An active recording artist, Kayleen’s other recent CD recordings include MAGNIFICENT MOZART (St. Charles Singers, 2012), LUMINESCENCE (St. Charles Singers, 2013), and Music of George Morey (expected release 2016). Her performances have been broadcast on Chicago’s WFMT and on South Dakota Public Broadcasting television and radio. CD releases in 2016 include West Meets East (Albany Records) and Magus Insipiens (Soundset Recordings), performing music composed by her husband, Paul Sánchez. Poet Sherod Santos states: “Kayleen Sánchez' wonderfully sensitive interpretations evoke the full sway of Sappho’s fervent, impassioned imagination. Indeed, Sánchez' keen technical virtuosity manages to capture the finely shaded gradations of emotion that all three song cycles draw up from the well of human experience. Listen closely and you’ll discover that, long after the final syllable is sung, her voice still thrills along the spine.” Kayleen is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance and Literature. ​

---

Gregory Sullivan Isaacs, Composer

Gregory Sullivan Isaacs is a conductor, composer, orchestrator, voice teacher and educator. He is also a pianist, organist, and retired singer. He has held numerous musical directorships with, symphonies, choral organizations, operas companies, and religious organizations throughout the country. He is currently the senior classical music writer for www.theaterjones.com and freelance for other publications such as the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He was a collage instructor for three years and teaches privately - high school programs and adults in a studio. He is a Pulitzer Prize nominated composer and a winner of a Peabody award for performance as well as an ASCAP award for his commitment to American Music.  His three act opera for tenor and piano – “Henry Faust - has been highly acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. A segment  can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fsNi2D16-o. This clip is from a production for public television, which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. His latest work, UNDELIVERED, is based on a libretto by Susan Calvin derived from President J.F. Kennedy’s undelivered speech. Also newly released is, 21st Century Sacred, a CD recording of music commissioned for use in Church services, some celebratory and others for general use. Both choral and solo compositions are included. Isaacs is a member of the ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Arrangers, and Publishers) and the Music Critics Association of North America. He attended the Interlochen Arts Academy for High School. He holds a bachelor degree in music from the University of Miami (he completed his first two years at the University of Michigan) and a master degree in music from the prestigious music program at Indiana University in Bloomington. Outstanding teachers include: Thor Johnson (Koussevitzky protégée), Martha Lipton (International opera star), Ivan Davis (Horowitz protégée) ,Frederick Fennell (internationally recognized wind ensemble conductor, Leslie Bassett (Boulenger protégée), Tibor Kozma (Metropolitan opera conductor, highly regarded conducting teacher Gustav Meier (as an auditor at U of M), and Baritone Pierre Bernac (Poulenc partner).

---

Jacquelyn Lengfelder, Soprano

Jacquelyn Lengfelder, soprano, recently returned from a trip to Singapore where she was featured with Singapore artist Kenny Ngo. Her favorite opera roles include Pamina (The Magic Flute) with the Fort Worth Opera school tour and Josephine (H.M.S. Pinafore) with The Living Opera. Her leading roles with the Ohio Light Opera, Juliska in Der Ziguenerprimas and Risa in Autumn Maneuvers both by Kalman, can be heard on CDs produced by Albany Records.  Other roles include Musetta (La Boheme), Marietta, (Naughty Marietta), Fiametta (Boccaccio), and Gretel (Hansel and Gretel). ​A favorite collaborator with living composers, Jacquelyn sang the world premiere of the Claude White opera, The Miraculous Phonograph Record, at the Meyerson Symphony Center.  She has  collaborated with award winning composer Gregory Sullivan Isaacs on many of his projects including his creation of a new opera, The Yellow Rose of Texas and Isaacs’ most recent work, Undelivered which was released recently on CD by Lantto Music.  Jacquelyn is also featured on Issacs’ newly released CD of sacred works.  A frequent soloist, Jacquelyn has performed with many musical organizations across the Metroplex, including Plano Civic Chorus, Plano Symphony Orchestra, the Cathedral Choir of St. Matthews, Christ the King Singers, St. Rita’s Schola Cantorum, Sanctuary Choir at First Presbyterian Church of Richardson, Temple Emanuel Choir, Voices of Change, The Hall Ensemble, European String Ensemble, and Barney and Friends!  In Austria, Jacquelyn sang highlights from Les Contes d’Hoffman with the Graz Festival Orchestra. A compelling and striking actress, the Dallas Theatre League honored her with the nomination for Best Actress in a Musical Theater Production, and critics nominated her for Best Actress in DFW Best of Theater. Special distinctions include being named a semi-finalist in the Austrian Meistersinger competition, and winner of the concerto competition at Northern Illinois University. A native of St. Louis, Ms. Lengfelder did graduate work in vocal performance at SMU and holds a Masters of Music from Northern Illinois University and Bachelor of Music from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. She and her husband, Bill Lengfelder, theater professor at SMU, live in Dallas and enjoy cheering on their 2 adult children.

---

David Davies, Composer

An internationally performed composer, David Horace Davies received a D.M.A. in composition in 2007 from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where he studied with Dennis Kam, John Van der Slice and Robert Gower.  Previous composition teachers include Mark Hijleh and he holds a BMus in Piano Performance from the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College.   A finalist for the Morton Gould Young Composer Award, Davies’ works have received awards from the College Music Society and the International Arts Movement.  In 2014 Davies was a Semi-Finalist for the American Prize for Choral Composition. Davies' music has been performed across the United States and internationally in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York City, the Culturo Jorge Borges in Buenos Aires, and the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico in San Juan.  As a composer, he has a particular interest in the manipulation of tonal expectations, which he pursues primarily through the “incorrect” use of familiar tonal collections. With a background in performance and extensive experience as a conductor, he strives to create engaging musical experiences that can be shared by the performers and audiences alike, and the Coral Gables Gazette has described his music as “expressive.” Davies joined the faculty of Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2014, where he serves as Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Head of Theory Studies. Prior to coming to TAMUC he was a member of the faculty at the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College, where he founded and directed the  New Song Composer Residency. Davies has also served on the music faculty of Augustana College in Illinois. In addition to his work as an educator, Davies is an active organist and conductor, having served in this capacity at Key Biscayne Presbyterian (PCA) Church in Miami, FL and Good Shepherd Presbyterian(USA) Church in Rock Island, IL, and as Assistant Musical Director of the University of Miami’s contemporary music group, the Other Music Ensemble. Currently, he and his wife serve as the Directors of Worship Arts at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Plano, TX.  For several years, he has been an active member of the Society of Composers, Inc., the College Music Society, and the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers (CFAMC) and in 2014 he was appointed as Vice President of the Board for the CFAMC.  David lives with his wife, their four children, and an orange cat named Spot in Rowlett, TX.

---

Jennifer Glidden, Soprano 

Jennifer Glidden is an active performer and recitalist performing both classical and musical theater repertoire. In 2011, Dr. Glidden earned first place in the 15th International Canto Lirico Voice Competition and Festival held in Trujillo, Peru. As the top winner, Dr. Glidden was invited to perform with the Juvenil Silvestre Revueltas Symphonic Orchestra in Leon, Mexico and invited by the Iberian and Latin American Music Society to present a solo recital at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, England. Dr. Glidden has performed a number of leading operatic roles. Some of her favorite roles include, Regina from Regina, Donna Anna from Don Giovanni, Miss Jessel from Turn of the Screw, the Countess from The Marriage of Figaro, and Mrs. Murrant from Street Scene. In addition, she has performed many oratorio works. Some of her favorites include Brahm’s Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah (Alto soloist), Mozart’s Mass in C, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Dr. Glidden earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas where she studied voice and pedagogy with Dr. Stephen Austin and opera with Dr. Stephen Dubberly and Ms. Paula Homer. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University and her Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Her research interests include methods for training the singer-actor and those who have made significant contributions to train singer-actors, specifically in opera.  She has a special interest in the legacy of Boris Goldovsky. This past January, Dr. Glidden had the opportunity to participate in Ann Baltz’s Operaworks Winter Intensive Session as a Teaching Artist and this summer will join Margo Garrett’s Songfest Professional Development Program in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Jennifer Glidden is an Assistant Professor of Music, Voice and Opera/Musical Theater at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She teaches applied voice lessons and opera workshop. In addition, she directs the Department of Music’s mainstage productions. Dr. Glidden has directed two fully-staged scene programs, Mozart’s The Magic Flute (fully-staged with full orchestra), and at the end of April 2016 will present Frank Loesser’s How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying in Ferguson Auditorium. Prior to her appointment at TAMUC in 2012, she served for four years on the voice faculty of the University of North Texas as a Teaching Fellow. She has also served on the faculty of the Dallas Summer Musical Academy, GISD Music Enrichment Program, and Broadway Bound Dance Academy. Dr. Glidden also maintains a private voice studio in the area. In her spare time, Dr. Glidden spends time with her two wonderful nieces, Charlie Grace and Addison, and volunteers at Operation Kindness and other local rescue events to help fur babies in need.  Recently, Dr. Glidden was a featured soloist at the “Artists for Animals Benefit Event” for Operation Kindness, with cofounder’s Erin Hannigan and Teresa Berg. Adopt don’t shop!

---

Carrie Davies, Pianist

Carrie Davies received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College, where she studied with George Boespflug.  Carrie is an active performer on both piano and cello.  She has performed in venues such as the Great Hall at Cooper Union, NYC, and the Centro Cultural Borges in Buenos Aires, Argentina; at conferences of the College Music Society, International Arts Movement, Society for Composers International, and the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers; as staff accompanist for various college ensembles; and with ensembles such as the Quad City Symphony and the Riverbend Theatre Collective (where Carrie’s collaborative work in Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years was reviewed by the River Cities Reader as “achingly, even hauntingly expressive”).  Carrie Davies is an advocate for musicians, educating and encouraging all who thrive in music to pursue ongoing involvement in music, whether professional or volunteer, throughout their lives.  In Miami, FL, she founded and directed the Imago Dei Concert/Art Series, highlighting the talents of local jazz and visual artists.  She currently serves on the application review committee for the Roderick L. Young Foundation for Youth Music Education. Prior to moving to Texas, Carrie worked as Graduate Music Program Coordinator for the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College.  In addition to overseeing all administrative aspects of the program, Carrie worked personally with the graduate students throughout their tenure at Houghton, from recruitment and admissions (with record enrollment for the fall of 2014 incoming class) through graduation.  Carrie has taught both privately and in the classroom, age preschool through college, and has coached touring ensembles.  She is now Director of Worship Arts at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Plano, TX, having served in similar capacity in churches in New York, Florida, and Illinois.  

---

William Mac Davis, Composer

William Mac Davis is a composer who enjoys a growing national and international reputation. A native of Mississippi, Davis holds degrees in theory and composition from the University of Mississippi and the doctor of philosophy degree in composition from the University of Utah.  He did post-doctoral study in composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Davis studied with a number of celebrated composers including Samuel Adler, Ned Rorem, Vladimir Ussachevsky, Ramiro Cortes, Andrew Fox and Raymond Liebau. His works have been performed by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Wind Symphony, the United States Army Orchestra, the Colonial Tuba Quartet and the Tidewater Winds as well as numerous college and professional ensembles. His music has received performances by such distinguished artists as Donald Palmire, John Mueller, Tony Baker, and Lynda Poston-Smith. He has received many commissions and awards including the Ithaca College Choral Composition Prize, the Delius Festival Vocal Composition Award, the Virginia CBDNA New Band Music Festival Award, the Dallas Wind Symphony
​Fanfare Competition Award and for twenty consecutive years he received the ASCAPlus award. Retired after thirty-four years of teaching at three major institutions, Davis now devotes his time to composition and conducting. He lives in Southlake, Texas, with his wife, Wendi, their two children, and two cats.

---

Lynda Poston-Smith, Soprano

Lynda Poston-Smith trained in New York City, receiving two degrees in vocal performance from the Manhattan School of Music, with further study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She says that as a young singer her academic training was enhanced by the demands of the studio recording she did in New York. Lynda lived in Germany for three years. There she performed all the major works of Bach as well as numerous cantatas. She was later selected to be performer/fellow at the famed Bach Aria Festival of New York. In addition to her extensive experience as a soprano soloist with choral groups and orchestras in Germany and throughout the United States, Lynda performs in solo recitals with her pianist husband Robert Smith. She enjoys chamber opera, having sung the title role in the world premiere of Conrad Susa’s The Wise Women.  While in New York, Lynda assisted Dorothy Uris in her writing of the book To Sing in English, and is now sought after as a diction coach and vocal/choral clinician. Lynda has produced four solo CDs and additional solo singles. These recordings feature her unique and refreshing arrangements and are available for download through Amazon and iTunes. Having taught at the university and graduate school level for twenty years, Lynda now maintains a private voice studio in Ft. Worth, Texas. There she loves to help people of all ages and abilities to discover the joy and freedom in their singing.

---

Dr. Robert Carl Smith, Pianist

Dr. Robert Smith is Chair of the Piano Department at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Church Music, where he has taught since 1979. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville (B.M.), The Juilliard School of Music (M.S.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.M.A.) He is a frequent performer of solo and ensemble literature, often with soprano Lynda Poston-Smith. They have given recitals together in Fulda and Munich, Germany; Croydon and London, England; and across the United States in and for some forty-two different colleges and universities, seminaries, and piano teacher organizations. Dr. Smith is regularly a clinician for conferences on the subject of Creative Motion, a performance technique that makes use of imagery and movement education. In addition, he has contributed reviews for the American Music Teacher, TheJournal of the American Liszt Society, the European Piano Teachers Journal, and the Journal of Creative Motion. Dr. Smith’s interest in Creative Motion began early. At the age of 12 he attended the Windswept Music Conference, which introduced him to the sense of musical energy moving in the body. Complementary to all of his other piano studies, the concepts of Creative Motion continue to permeate his teaching and performing. He has served on the faculty at Windswept, an annual summer event held presently on the campus of William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, for some 33 years. Two of his former students are actively engaged as faculty members and prominent organizers of the Creative Motion Alliance.

---

Repertoire includes: ​

Peter Fischer - Composer
On the Edges of Moonlight 
Selections from Peter Fischer's song cycle BARCAROLE:
V. So it is, and the lightning would cover your tresses 
VI. Do you want to be the solitary ghost 
VII. Somebody would come 
VIII. In the sea season 

Paul T. Sanchez - Composer 
ὁδοιπορία (the journey)
α'. The Dance
β'. Nocturne
γ'. Evening Star
δ'. Aphrodite's Return
ε'. Eros
ς'. For Atthis
​
"Aphrodite's Return", "The Dance", "Eros", "For Atthis", "Nocturne", "Evening Star", from GREEK LYRIC POETRY: A NEW TRANSLATION, translated by Sherod Santos. Copyright © 2005 by Sherod Santos. Used by permission of W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.-- 

Gregory Sullivan Isaacs - Composer
Three Dramatic Psalms 
A Simple Song  

David Davies - Composer
Songs of Supplication:
I. O Splendor of God's Glory Bright
II. Be Thou My Vision 

William Mac Davis - Composer
Five Elizabethan Lyrics  
Dirge (Shakespeare)
Winter  (Shakespeare)
The Silver Swan (Anonymous)
Tell Me Where Is Fancy Bred  (Shakespeare)
Slow, Slow, Fresh Fount (Ben Jonson)