Concert raises funds for Southeast Missouri Music Academy

The Southeast Missouri Music Academy presented its 12th annual Standing Ovation concert Sunday at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

The concert was followed by a reception and auction at the Venue, 80 S. Plaza Way, with proceeds going to support the Music Academy. This year, the concert and auction raised more than $2,500 for the academy.

This year's concert featured a set of whimsical selections from "Animal Ditties," written for trumpet, piano and narrator, based on the poetry of Ogden Nash, which were performed by Rebecca Fulgham, director of the academy, along with Dr. Tim Schmidt and Dr. Marc Fulgham. Other performances included Dr. Brandon Christensen, violin; Dr. James Sifferman, piano; Schmidt, voice; Erika Beasley, jazz vocal; Jacob Seyer, guitar; and the Southeast Percussion Ensemble.

The Music Academy also showcased some of its own students, including 9-year-old twins Ethan and Landon Brown of Cape Girardeau on violin. The homeschooled twins have studied violin with Hays Hendricks through the Suzuki program at the Music Academy since they were 3 years old.

Ethan also plays guitar and piano, and sings in St. Mary's church choir.

Another Music Academy student at the recital was Tessa Long, a 14-year-old flute student from Benton, Mo., who studies with Music Academy professor Paul Thompson.

She said her musical tastes were not typical for a high school freshman.

"I like classical, Celtic, big band and jazz," said Tessa, who has studied at the academy for two years. "It's that kind of music that gets inside me and makes me shiver."

Tessa played two classical pieces, "Chanson de Nuit" and "Chanson de Matin."

Music Academy student Courtney Penzel, 11, of Cape Girardeau provided harp music during the after-concert reception. Courtney has been taking harp lessons at the Academy with Chadie Fruehwald since 2010. She also plays at Bethel Assembly of God, performs in Christmas and Easter programs and plays traditional wedding music.

Prizes awarded during the live auction included a Music Academy tuition gift certificate, a wine basket from Primo Vino, a spa package from Bella Dona, a photography sitting from Neumeyer Studio, jewelry from C.P. McGinty and lia sophia, River Campus tickets among other items.

The Standing Ovation concert is the largest fundraiser for the Music Academy, which has provided music lessons to people of all ages since 1985. Students typically study for 30 minutes per week and get to showcase their work in area retirement centers, nursing homes, hospitals and other outlets.

"Our mission is to make music lessons possible to all students regardless of ability to pay," said Fulgham, who has been director of the academy for 16 years. "We offer everything from opera to jazz, and lessons are available to anyone from ages 2 to adult."

The academy, in Brandt Hall on Southeast's campus, has an enrollment of about 250 students each semester and is a part of the Southeast Department of Music. It is funded solely by tuition and donations.

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau MO