Emporia State University’s Department of Music had a night to celebrate students and impactful alums Saturday.
The annual Music Gala Benefit Concert had music professors performing music like the Wind Quintet by Paul Taffanel and other selections. Following intermission, the department honored its Beach Hall of Distinction inductees.
Elise Peterson received her Bachelor of Music Education in 1992 and her Master of Music Education 10 years later. Since then, she has taught in several districts, including Garnett, Hays, Shawnee Mission and Olathe. Besides serving in several positions for the Kansas Choral Directors Association and Kansas Music Educators Association, she was named the state’s Outstanding Music Teacher of the Year in 2021.
Jason Sickel got his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2004. He has taught at Osawatomie, Louisburg, Blue Valley and Olathe — including working alongside Peterson at Olathe South. He was named as Kansas teacher of the Year in 2017. He had special encouragement for students.
The concert has been held for years to bolster the Music Department’s scholarship offerings, often helping students who are non-music majors.
The Music Department is busy through mid-October:
*Wednesday: ESU Jazz Ensemble 1 with Faculty Combo, 7:30 pm, Albert Taylor Hall
*Oct. 1: ESU Marching Hormets Marching Festival, all day, Welch Stadium
*Oct. 3: Faculty Recital, 6 pm, Heath Recital Hall
*Oct. 7: ESU and Emporia High Choirs Present United We Sing, 7 pm, Emporia High
*Oct. 14, Emporia Symphony Orchestra Presents Stars of Stage & Screen, 7:30 pm, Emporia Granada Theatre
