Ciara Benham
Staff Writer
cbenham@murraystate.edu
Over 500 people watched in awe as the music department put there talents on display with a spectacular showcase of Murray State’s many talented musicians.
On Family Weekend, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts hosted the 13th annual Fall Fanfare concert. The concert allowed different
musical ensembles to perform pieces they had worked on for the first month of the semester.
“Fall Fanfare began as a way to showcase the many diverse musical ensembles and experiences that our students have at Murray State,”
Stephanie Rea, a professor in the department of music, said. “You hear things like our Concert Choir singing a traditional African song, the
University Orchestra performing Broadway, a saxophone quartet, a big band playing a jazz standard, music of Jimi Hendrix played on mallet
percussion instruments, traditional classical elements in a piano duo, a flute quartet… there were so many types of music, some performed by the same students, as many are in multiple ensembles.”
While the concert is an exquisite display of the hard work of the professors and students in the music department, the fanfare also serves to benefit music students who need assistance paying for school.
“[It is] of utmost importance that this is a fundraiser,” Rea said. “One of the reasons that many of our faculty are so proud of this
concert is that we raise money for scholarships for current music students. One hundred percent of the ticket price goes directly to
scholarships for current students.”
Students may be rewarded monetarily through scholarships, and Fall Fanfare also rewards students with the fulfillment of performing
alongside their peers.
“Fall Fanfare is a quintessential part of Family Weekend for all of those involved in the Murray State music department, College of
Humanities and Fine Arts and the Racer Band,” Katie Zheng, a junior music education major said. “It’s the perfect way to showcase what
we’ve been up to for the first month of college and being able to share that with our families and friends is nothing short of rewarding.”
Fall Fanfare is truly beneficial to all who are involved from parents in the audience, to the performers on stage, to the professors who
work with the students.
“The arts are a powerful force, and it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t like music,” Rea said. “It’s great for them to hear their
grown children creating a high-quality, impactful musical experience for an audience. It’s also important for our students to have the
opportunity to perform for such a large audience.”
The music department considers this year’s Fall Fanfare a smashing success, and can’t wait to do it all again next year.