The annual President’s Concert at Indiana State University brought together students, families, faculty, staff, and community members on Sunday, February 22, for an afternoon celebrating musical excellence inside Boyce Recital Hall at the Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts.
The President’s Concert, a longstanding tradition, features student musicians selected for their exceptional preparation, dedication, and passion. Representing a wide range of disciplines within the School of Music, the performers exemplify the high standards and artistic rigor cultivated at Indiana State.
“Today’s concert highlights some of our most accomplished student performers — students selected for their exceptional preparation, dedication, and passion for their craft,” Godard said. “These musicians represent the very best of their respective areas of study and reflect the high standards we uphold at Indiana State University.”
The afternoon’s program spanned centuries and styles, underscoring both the breadth of the classical canon and the versatility of Sycamore musicians. From George Hamilton Green’s lively Log Cabin Blues featuring sophomore percussionist Colyn Rogers on xylophone, to Otto Nicolai’s aria “Als Büblein klein” from Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, performed by bass James Jordan, the concert opened with energy and stylistic contrast.
Instrumental highlights continued with Alexandre Tansman’s Suite pour Bassoon and Piano, performed by sophomore Zachary Pinnick, and Johannes Brahms’ Rhapsody in G Minor, Op. 79, No. 2, delivered by pianist Hannah Kirkwood. Jacob Margheim, a freshman trumpet student, performed Guillaume Balay’s Prelude et Ballade, showcasing the expressive range of the brass repertoire.
The vocal and chamber selections further illustrated the School of Music’s diversity. Tyler Williams performed Édouard Lalo’s “Vainement, ma bien-aimée” from Le Roi d’Y’s, while soprano Lacey Nepote offered Ernest Chausson’s Le Colibri. Ashton Fowler performed Jules Demersseman’s Fantaisie on saxophone, and Cimbria Bowling delighted the audience with “Vanilla Ice Cream” from She Loves Me by Jerry Bock.
Cellist Luke Templin brought warmth and virtuosity to David Popper’s Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68, and flutist Hannah Kirkwood performed Amanda Harberg’s Court Dances: I. Courante. Bri Mattox performed Michael McFarland’s Sketches, highlighting both lyrical and spirited contrasts for tuba.
Many of the featured performers balance demanding academic schedules, leadership roles, and scholarship commitments alongside their artistic pursuits. Students such as Pinnick, a Music Education major active in multiple ensembles and campus organizations, and Rogers, who performs across orchestral, marching, and percussion ensembles, represent the well-rounded excellence celebrated during the concert.
Others, like Templin — a double major in Professional Flight and Aviation Management — demonstrate how the arts intersect with diverse academic pathways at Indiana State. Vocalists including Williams, Nepote, and Bowling combine musical study with majors ranging from Music Education to Human Development and Family Science, reinforcing the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary growth.
President Godard recognized the role of families, mentors, and community supporters in shaping each student’s journey.
“Your encouragement, mentorship, and support make a lasting difference in the lives of these young artists,” he said.
As the final applause echoed through Boyce Recital Hall, the President’s Concert once again affirmed the vibrancy of the arts at Indiana State University. The event served not only as a showcase of technical mastery and expressive artistry, but also as a testament to the transformative power of music in shaping confident, creative, and engaged graduates.