A very special annual event is about to take place on the Hilltop, the Honors Music Recital. The recital will take place at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 5 in Elbin Auditorium, College Hall. It is free and open to the public.

“The annual Honors Recital celebrates and represents some of the finest musical talents in WLU’s Division of Music. Student performers are selected for the Honors Recital through a competitive audition, adjudicated by esteemed off-campus professional musicians,” said Dr. Gerald Lee, associate professor of music.

The six honor students to perform in the 2013 Honors Recital include:

• NATALIE DiNARDO, a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. The daughter of Rose and Doug DiNardo, DiNardo is from Washington, Pa. and studies oboe with Professor Robin Driscoll. Upon graduation, she plans to teach music in the public school system.
• DANIEL EVICK is a sophomore pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. The son of Karen and Tom Evick, he is from Wheeling. Evick studies trumpet with Dr. Matthew Inkster and upon graduation, he plans to further his education at a seminary school; in addition, he also plans to teach music in the public schools.
• JOSHUA GARRETT is a junior pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance. The son of Leslie and Patrick Garrett, he is from Glen Dale, W.Va.  Garrett studies percussion with Professor Brian Baldauff. Upon graduation, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in steel drum performance; in addition, he is interested in performance opportunities on cruise ships.
• MICHAEL MURPHY is a sophomore pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. The son of Sheyanne and Brock Hawkins, and Mark Murphy, he is from Bellaire, Ohio. He studies piano with Dr. Gerald Lee and upon graduation, he plans to teach music in the public schools. He also wishes to pursue a master’s degree in music education and/or collaborative piano.
• ALEXANDRA PERKINS is a senior pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. The daughter of Michael Perkins and Paula Lambert, and the late Linda Perkins, she is from Dublin, Ohio. Perkins studies voice with Dr. Angela Day and upon graduation, she plans to perform as a free-lance musician for a year, then continue her studies in vocal performance at the master’s level.
• KASSIDY GRACE WELLS is a senior pursuing the Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. The daughter of Marianne and Jeff Cunningham, she is from Wellsburg, W.Va. She studies voice with Dr. Linda Cowan. Upon graduation, she looks forward to marrying her fiancé, Luke Mayernik, and pursuing her performance career.

Judges for this year’s Honors Recital Auditions were Eric Benjamin, Bruce Ensinger, and Roger Zahab

Benjamin is music director of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic and the Alliance Symphony; in addition, he is an adjunct faculty member at University of Mount Union where he conducts their orchestra. Ensinger is employed as a music specialist in the Wetzel County School system and has taught at the New Martinsville schools for 35 years. Zahab is currently on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh as Senior Lecturer and Director of the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Music on the Edge Chamber Orchestra.

The Division of Music offers undergraduate degrees in music education, music performance and music technology. Among its many ensembles are University Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and the Hilltopper Marching Band.