Abstract

The Series of Webinars for Professional Development in the Arts aims to provide opportunities for college students, professors, practitioners and researchers to participate in webinars with internationally recognized leaders and experts in music and arts education. This program has strengthened international collaboration among educational and research institutions in Argentina, Canada, Cyprus, Brazil, England, Mexico and the United States. Initiated in February 2010 at the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, the Seventh Series is also simultaneously transmitted at the University of Cambridge, Ball State University, Benedictine University, Simon Fraser Unviersity, University of London, Universidad Veracruzana, Gettysburg College, Conservatorio de Música de Chihuahua, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Instituto Universitario Nacional del Arte, University of Cyprus, SEEECH , and IIIECH . You are cordially invited to participate in this collaborative effort to bring the latest advances in music and arts education research, and their implications for practice in the arts.

This presentation focuses on the important relationship between the singing artist, composer and community. We will explore the art of commissioning new music as well as how to promote these works locally. New music will be played featuring soprano, Rebecca Wascoe singing music written for her by American composers Libby Larsen and Len Bobo.

Rebecca Wascoe is a Texan soprano who specializes in American Art song. She has worked closely with composer Libby Larsen and has a CD scheduled for release in 2015 on Albany records of several of the composer’s previously unrecorded music. Two compositions written specifically for Wascoe will be featured on the CD. In addition, Dr. Wascoe has performed Internationally as both a concert artist and opera singer. She has concerts featuring Larsen’s “The Magdalene,” which was written for Wascoe, scheduled through 2016. She is a two-time winner of the International Gerda Lissner singing competition and has been a finalist in many prestigious opera competitions. Wascoe currently serves on the faculty of Texas Tech University’s School of Music as well as Music in the Marche.