Maranatha’s Fall 2024 Guest and Faculty Concerts
Maranatha musicians enjoy music performances not only by students, but also by faculty and guest performers. As accomplished musicians, they offer music students a glimpse of their potential if they continue to apply themselves to their musical studies. In addition, the guest performers provide everyone – music student or otherwise – a time of refreshment as they listen to beautiful music.
Dr. Phil Gingery
On September 13, Dr. Phil Gingery presented “Songs of Resurrection and New Life.” This concert featured both classical and modern works that meditate on Christ and His victory over the grave. Composers ranged from Bach, Telemann, and Handel to David Parker, Ron Hamilton, and even Gingery himself. Maranatha faculty member Carol Ruffin appreciated “Dr. Philip Gingery’s sense of balance in choosing his repertoire… And, as always, Dr. Gingery’s delivery of all his selections provided stellar vocal technique worthy of emulation.” For accompaniment, Gingery included sister Christa Gingery Habegger on piano, Charis Dwire on violin, and Lucas Moffit on cello.
For thirty years, Gingery has served as the assistant pastor and minister of music at Bible Baptist Church and West Chester Christian School. Holding a BA and M.Mus. in Voice Performance, he enjoys singing as a serious hobbyist and has led vocal and instrumental ensembles to develop the next generation of musicians.
Louis Cucunato
On October 4, Louis Cucunato performed a collection of solo classical and modern repertoire for guitar. Featuring works by Bach, Sato, and Villa-Lobos, the recital included a variety of music styles. Louis Cucunato finished the recital with an original composition entitled Arabesque, which “walked through the different style periods,” described MBU musician Daniel Earnest. Another music student at MBU, Josiah Potts, describes Arabesque as “very intense” and especially enjoyed this finale. Daniel comments that Mr. Cucunato’s “style and attention to detail were inspiring and he played with a passion that was evident. He loves playing the guitar!” Cucunato’s performance was a rich musical experience for all who attended.
A Milwaukee native, Cucunato began classical guitar at the age of thirteen. He holds a BA in Music Performance from the University of Wisconsin and an MA in Music Performance from the Jacobs School of Music from Indiana University. Alongside performing, Cucunato teaches private lessons in Wauwatosa, WI, and at Maranatha. Additionally, he serves as Vice President of the Board of Musicā Oramus – Catholic Conservatory.
Steinbart String Duo
Maranatha faculty members Melody Steinbart and Joseph Steinbart performed as a brother-sister string duo in Burckart Hall on October 11. Alongside pianist Michelle Hynson, the Steinbart String Duo performed works by Moretti, Schumann, and Saint-Saëns, as well as an arrangement of the favorite hymn, “The Love of God,” arranged by J. Boyd. Gabriella Moore, a string student at MBU described the concert as “a great variety of different pieces… all centered around the theme of storytelling.” The uniqueness of this violin/viola duo is their sibling bond. Gabriella says, “It was just a joy to see siblings playing together.” The finale of the concert, Danse Macabre, was arranged by C. Parnas. She concluded, “The recital ended with a bang… that was a highlight.”
Melody Steinbart holds a BA in String Pedagogy and an MA in Violin Performance. A member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, she teaches both private and group string lessons at Maranatha. In addition, she teaches several university music courses including string pedagogy, music theory, and music history.
Joseph Steinbart holds a BA in Church Music and an MA in Viola Performance and String Pedagogy. Like his sister, he offers private lessons in his music studio and teaches for Maranatha Music Prep School. An award-winning chamber music performer, he has played for schools, charities, and radio broadcasts.
Michelle Hynson is a concert pianist who performs in Milwaukee and the surrounding cities. She has soloed with various orchestras, including the Kettle Moraine Symphony. From 1989 to 2024 she was the assistant conductor, accompanist, and soprano section leader for Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee.
Written in part by Jack Bovay