November 06, 2015
SFCC music students
Five SFCC music students participated in a master class led by guest clinician Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan, voice performance chair at Central Methodist University, Nov. 4 on the Sedalia campus. From left, Richard Spahr, Sedalia; Kathleen Matz, Sedalia; Justus Ricard, Warrensburg; Ciara Royeton, Odessa; and Cameron Hoagland, Lincoln.

SEDALIA—Five State Fair Community College students in Applied Voice classes taught by Ron Sayer, Music Arts program coordinator and instructor, and Sandy Cordes, adjunct instructor, participated in the college’s first-ever vocal master class Nov. 4 on the Sedalia campus.

Guest clinician Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan, voice performance chair at Central Methodist University (CMU), worked for about 20 minutes with each of the students, who performed selected literature for her in front of an audience.

Sayer described a master class as a series of intense, brief public “coachings” led by an expert teacher or artist.

“Singers perform selections that have been thoroughly prepared, and a master teacher works with them on one or more aspects of their performance in front of an audience,” said Sayer. “The focus of the master class is determined by the specialties of the master teacher; there are master classes that address vocal technique, musical or dramatic interpretation, and specific repertoire categories (e.g. German Lied or Baroque ornamentation).”

Participants included sophomores Kathleen Matz, Sedalia; Richard Spahr, Sedalia; and Ciara Royeton, Odessa; and freshmen Cameron Hoagland, Lincoln; and Justus Ricard, Warrensburg.

Sayer said master classes are part of the traditional curriculum at universities that offer vocal degrees but said he thought this was a first for SFCC.

“We invited Dr. Quigley-Duggan because she brings her unique talents and background to coaching young collegiate singers,” said Sayer. “We also are expanding the relationship that exists between the music departments of SFCC and CMU as a result of a music articulation agreement signed last year.

“This master class offered our students a performance event to work toward that gave a specific focus to their practice and performance skills. We hope the experience and Dr. Quigley-Duggan’s advice will encourage their growth as singers.”

Quigley-Duggan, associate professor of Voice and Opera, joined the Swinney Conservatory of Music at CMU in fall 2006. She taught voice and opera for more than 18 years on the music faculty at the University of Connecticut. She has performed roles in opera and musical theater and appeared as a soloist in recitals, concerts and oratorios.

Duggan’s students have been finalists and winners in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Career Bridges and Amici competitions in Connecticut and Missouri. She adjudicates for NATS, Missouri Music Teachers Association, Missouri State High School Activities Association, and Federation of Music Clubs in the state. She has performed recitals or given master classes at Columbia College, Missouri State University, the University of Missouri, Lincoln University, University of Central Missouri, St. Charles Community College, and CMU.

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