On Thursday, November 15 Jessica presented a lecture recital on her dissertation research, which involved performing excerpts of works by David Amram, Doug Hill, and Dana Wilson.  Her project is entitled "Jazz Influence on Unaccompanied Horn Literature: A Guide to Performing Solo Works by Douglas Hill, David Amram, and Dana Wilson."  

This has been an exciting winter as Jessica recently became ABD (all-but-dissertation) and is beginning to interview composers for her dissertation project: Jazz Influence on Unaccompanied Horn Literature: A Guide to Performing Solo Works by Douglas Hill, David Amram, and Dana Wilson. 

In October, Jessica played principal horn on Verdi's Requiem with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony.

In December, Jessica's students at Purdue University performed a horn quartet recital, featuring music by Bozza and Bruckner.  Look below for photos of her Purdue students in recital and also the Illinois Wesleyan horn players preparing for a Wind Ensemble concert.

This past month Jessica visited three elementary and middle schools with the CUSO Brass Quintet to present the music of Stacy Garrop.  She also performed on Sinfonia da Camera's recent concert, An Anniversary Celebration, celebrating the music of Leonard Bernstein.  Check the calendar tab to catch a future performance!

 This fall Jessica has been busy teaching at Illinois Wesleyan, Purdue University, and working as a teaching assistant for the third year at the University of Illinois.  Final touches are being made on Transit Brass' debut CD: Soundscapes, and it is expected to release late this fall.

On November 2nd, 2017 Jessica gave her second DMA Recital at the University of Illinois, accompanied by Kevina Lam.  You can listen to some of the recital highlights in the video below.

Now that her two DMA recitals are complete, Jessica will begin research on her dissertation project: Jazz Influence on Unaccompanied Horn Literature: A Guide to Performing Solo Works by Douglas Hill, David Amram, and Dana Wilson.

This summer Jessica's group Transit Brass has been busy recording a CD comprised of original compositions by Transit members. They also spent a week in Fredericksburg, Virginia for the Fredericksburg Brass Institute where they gave masterclasses, a seminar on creating opportunities, and two performances.  To check out photos and video from the trip, visit Transit's facebook page: www.facebook.com/transitbrass/.  

This fall Jessica will begin teaching horn lessons at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana.  She'll also continue to teach horn at Illinois Wesleyan University and finish up her last year of DMA work at the University of Illinois.  

what is isym?

Illinois Summer Youth Music brings over 1000 students and 150 faculty and staff together each summer for four weeks of intense music-making. With over 20 different programs, our comprehensive list of offerings include large ensembles at both senior and junior high levels, as well as the more rigorous offerings of the Pre-College division. From the developing junior high student to the aspiring professional, there is a program to challenge and nurture your talents.
Hosted on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, students get to experience a taste of the college life at a Big Ten university. Students live and eat in a university dormitory located close to the School of Music and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
There are numerous evening activities throughout the week including outstanding performances and plenty of recreation.
Instruction is led by University faculty and leading music educators from across the country, and includes graduate students, practicing teachers and professional experts. Even the counseling staff draws from the best of the experienced educators of the region.

In a week Jessica will be presenting her first DMA recital at the University of Illinois, featuring the music of Krufft, Chabrier, Saint-Saens, Messiaen, and Wilder.  She will be accompanied by Matthew Gladden, and videos will be posted here shortly after!

Please enjoy this live recording from our September concert! Visit www.transitbrass.com for more information.