VSU Ensemble Performs Nicki Minaj’s ‘Va Va Voom’ at April 3 Event

VALDOSTA — Bassoon and oboe students at Valdosta State University will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, in the Fine Arts Building Choir Room. This event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Susan J. Eischeid, who joined the VSU Department of Music faculty in 1994, said audience members can expect “a nice mixture of classical and contemporary sounds … and a rare appearance by a mixed double reed ensemble playing a piece by Nicki Minaj,” a popular singer, songwriter, and rapper who currently serves as a judge on “American Idol.”

Students of varying levels of expertise will perform 13 pieces of music. Most of them are selections for a solo double reed (bassoon or oboe) with piano accompaniment, provided by Dr. Lyle Indergaard, chairman of VSU’s Piano Area, and Vicorie Brown. Eischeid noted that the double reed students are a combination of music majors and non-majors studying these instruments for credit. Some are music minors. 

“It is very exciting,” she added, “to see their continued growth and development as instrumentalists and as musical artists.”

Performing are Chelsea Slagor (oboe), Garry Morales Urbina (oboe), Randi Harper (bassoon), Hannah Dickerson (oboe), Justin Long (bassoon), Tevin Williams (oboe), John Pope (bassoon), Tyler Johnson (bassoon), Crystal Askew (oboe), Thomas J. Tippins (oboe), and Samuelle Drain (bassoon). Eischeid, who serves as principal oboist with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, and Dr. Shannon Lowe, principal bassoonist with both the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and Albany Symphony Orchestra, will join their students for an ensemble performance of Minaj’s “Va Va Voom” at the end of the evening.

Contact Dr. Susan J. Eischeid at (229) 333-5815 or seischei@valdosta.edu to learn more.

On the Web:

http://ww2.valdosta.edu/music/