Guest Recitals Inspire Audiences
Maranatha Baptist University recently hosted two guest recitals that inspired the audiences. Tenor Dr. Philip Gingery, collaborating with Christa Habegger on piano, featured various classical art song selections. Tatiana Pearson and Louis Cucunato’s recital, on the other hand, featured a mixture of traditional and modern works arranged for flute and guitar.
Phil Gingery—Tenor
Dr. Philip Gingery of West Chester, Pennsylvania, presents vocal recitals at Maranatha every Fall. Gingery’s programs are musically unique and often have a distinctive, spiritual focus. Gingery’s sister, Christa Habegger, accompanied the recital beautifully. Freshman music major Charis Dwire appreciated that Gingery’s recital had something to offer for everyone. “I have never been to a recital exclusively featuring voice,” commented Dwire, “it was great to have that exposure, and I really enjoyed the experience!”
For the past thirty years, Gingery has served as assistant pastor and minister of music at Bible Baptist Church and West Chester Christian School. Additionally, he teaches hymnology, theory, music history, voice, and conducting at various colleges.
To Julia, Op. 8 — Roger Quilter
Listen as Gingery masterfully interprets Quilter’s 1905 song cycle with texts by Robert Herrick.
Tatiana Pearson—Flute and Louis Cucunato—Guitar
Tatiana Pearson is the principal flute player for the Milwaukee Philharmonic and Kettle Moraine Symphony Orchestra. She holds two degrees from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee. In addition to teaching flute at Maranatha Baptist University, Pearson is also a freelance musician, often playing flute with various chamber groups and orchestras throughout the Midwest.
Louis Cucunato, a musician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, teaches classical guitar at Maranatha Baptist University. Cucunato began playing guitar at age thirteen. He graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a B.F.A. in Classical Guitar Performance and earned his MA from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music.
Student Emily Goldfuss concluded that she loved Pearson and Cucunato’s performance of “The Swan.” Goldfuss commented, “It was very unique. You always hear that piece performed with piano and cello, but I really enjoyed how this arrangement sounded. The guitar accompaniment certainly painted a picture of the swan gliding across the water.”
Entr’acte — Jacques Ibert
This piece, characterized by its Spanish flare, features the flute and is one of Ibert’s most recognizable works.
Tango in D, Op. 165, No. 2 — Isaac Albéniz
Originally written for piano, this tango is part of Albéniz’s España. The piece is intended to make the listener feel as though he were traveling through the Spanish countryside.
Maranatha musicians were blessed to hear the music of these talented performers. Gingery, Pearson, and Cucunato encouraged students to appreciate music in a new way and develop their talents for the Lord.