Lawrence University

Lawrence University took its celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Conservatory of Music to New York City over spring break. Eleven students, accompanied by several faculty and staff, were part of the March 19-23 trip-seeing performances at iconic arts venues, taking part in individual lessons and masterclasses, and presenting a concert for Lawrence alumni and friends at Manhattan School of Music.

Lawrence University sophomore violinist Ben Frueh performed a solo March 14 with the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra after being named a co-winner of the annual Concerto Competition.

Lawrence University senior Ben Lewis fell hard for bluegrass music. He now records and performs with the Litch Brothers, including a recent performance at a notable folk music conference in Ireland. His studies through the Bachelor of Musical Arts (B.M.A.) program in Lawrence's Conservatory of Music has prepared him well.

Lawrence University senior Benjamin Keating is the winner of the Wisconsin Division of the National Music Teachers Association's Young Artist Piano Performance Competition. He now advances to the regionals.

Evan Ney, a Lawrence University fifth-year dual degree student, won the annual Lawrence University Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition. He then presented a recital featuring newly commissioned music.

Lawrence University senior Eli Elder has pursued a Bachelor of Musical Arts (B.M.A.) degree as a means to study both music and mathematics. The B.M.A. was unveiled as a degree option in 2019.

Lawrence University sophomore David Smith sought a college path that would allow him to study math and physics at a high level while remaining immersed in music. He found just that at Lawrence. His talents on the cello have earned him honors as co-winner of a Concerto Competition with the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra.

Owen Brady, a Lawrence University senior from Barrington, Rhode Island, had his commissioned music, "Bear in Mind," performed during the recent Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend at Lawrence. Brady was handpicked for the annual student commission by Patty Darling, a Lawrence instructor of music and one of the organizers of the annual jazz festival. The piece was performed by high school bands taking part in the festival.

Lawrence University junior Annika Schmidt excels in her academic pursuits: cello and linguistics. She was recently named the co-winner of the annual Concerto Competition for the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra.

Five Lawrence University piano students were honored in the Young Artist Performance Piano division in a statewide competition of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). The annual competition was held Oct. 14 at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Jonathan Bass, a Lawrence University fifth-year senior, was named the winner in the Young Artist Performance Piano division in a statewide competition of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). By winning the state competition, Bass moves on to represent Wisconsin at the division level, with a chance to compete nationally at the annual MTNA Conference in March 2024.

Charlie Wetzel is the recipient of the Elizabeth Richardson Award in Studio Art at Lawrence University, awarded annually to women excelling in studio art.

Owen Gregory Brady is the recipient of the Pi Kappa Lambda Jazz Composition Award at Lawrence University, given for exceptional originality and skill in jazz music composition.

Julian Hofstetter is the recipient of the Pi Kappa Lambda Composition Award at Lawrence University, awarded for exceptional originality and skill in music composition.

Gabe Roethle is the recipient of the James Ming Prize in Composition at Lawrence University. It is annually awarded to a student for outstanding creative talent and achievement in music composition.

Kai Frueh is the recipient of the Marjory Irvin Prize at Lawrence University, awarded annually to a music student for excellence in piano performance as both a soloist and chamber musician.

Nathaniel Tang is the recipient of a Margaret Gary Daniels Keyboard Performance Award at Lawrence University. The award is given to a student who excels in keyboard performance.

Benjamin Keating is the recipient of a Margaret Gary Daniels Keyboard Performance Award at Lawrence University. The award is given to a student who excels in keyboard performance.

Elliot Odette is the recipient of a F. Theodore Cloak Award in Theatre at Lawrence University. The honor recognizes a theatre student who demonstrates a theoretically and historically informed understanding of dramatic literature to inform skillful and nuanced contributions to Lawrence's productions.

Alec Major Welhouse is the recipient of a F. Theodore Cloak Award in Theatre at Lawrence University. The honor recognizes a theatre student who demonstrates a theoretically and historically informed understanding of dramatic literature to inform skillful and nuanced contributions to Lawrence's productions.

Alexa (Lexi) Praxl is the recipient of a F. Theodore Cloak Award in Theatre at Lawrence University. The honor recognizes a theatre student who demonstrates a theoretically and historically informed understanding of dramatic literature to inform skillful and nuanced contributions to Lawrence's productions.

Jonathan Bass, a pianist and dual-degree student in his fourth year at Lawrence University, took first place in a national piano competition organized by the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC).

Michael Murphy, a Lawrence University senior, is planning a special senior recital-a live performance of his debut solo album, "Indigo Jones," set for Gibson Music Hall in downtown Appleton at 7 p.m. May 15.

Jasper Kashou, a Lawrence University senior from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, has found success in both his composition and performance work at Lawrence. Both recently took center stage after he won an annual concerto competition.

Sarah Matthews, a Lawrence University art history major from Stoughton, Wisconsin, has curated an art exhibition being shown at the college's Wriston Art Galleries now through May 12, shining a light on textiles made by women in Milwaukee during the Great Depression. The exhibition, "Lost Identities and Loose Threads: The Milwaukee Handicraft Project," is on display in the Hoffmaster Gallery. The work stemmed from the senior's capstone research project.

Lucy Croasdale, a senior saxophone student at Lawrence University, was one of the commissioned composers for the recent Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend, a Lawrence tradition dating back to 1981. The festival invited high school and middle school jazz ensembles to learn from faculty and visiting clinicians in a non-competitive program. Visitors and members of the Lawrence community alike were welcomed to attend performances, which featured visiting artists Samara Joy and Liam Teague, as well as Conservatory students and faculty. Croasdale, of Middleton, was chosen to compose a piece, "Down the Hall (From Us)," that would be performed by participating bands. Choosing one Lawrence student to compose a piece is a long-standing tradition of the Jazz Celebration event.

Brock Daumler, a Lawrence University senior from Green Bay majoring in music composition, recently won first prize in the Wisconsin Alliance for Composers (WAC) contest for his composition, "Via Negativa."

Cantala, a Lawrence University women's choir, was honored with a recent invitation to perform at the American Choral Directors Association's Midwest Conference at Chicago's Harris Theatre. Cantala was joined by Concert Choir, another Lawrence choral group, giving Lawrence the distinction of being the only school with two entries.

Nearly 40 Lawrence University students worked together as the cast and crew in presenting "Moliere Inspired," a Winter Term production from Lawrence's Department of Theatre Arts in celebration of the French playwright's 400th birthday. It included three one-acts: one by Moliere and two inspired by Moliere. The production also was a celebration of collaborations across academic departments, as well as collaborations between faculty and students.

The Lawrence University Concert Choir was honored with a recent invitation to perform at the American Choral Directors Association's Midwest Conference at Chicago's Harris Theatre. The Concert Choir was joined by Cantala, another Lawrence choral group, giving Lawrence the distinction of being the only school with two entries.