On April 5, Junior Connor McFarland held his senior recital, in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.
The room was filled with friends and family as they eagerly waited for the lights to turn off until McFarland played the saxophone.
“I grew up with a lot of stage fright, so through the years I’ve been super, super nervous. Today before getting there, no nerves. I felt great until about thirty seconds before I went on and then once I started playing, it felt absolutely amazing,” said McFarland.
McFarland, has been playing the saxophone since the fifth grade.
The songs that McFarland performed were Minuet and Carillon from L’Arlsiennwe by Geogres Bizet, Café from Histoire du tango by Asor Piazzolla, Hungarian Dance No.1 by Johannes Brahms, Concerto for Alto Saxophones Op. 26 by Paul Creston, and Hot Sonate by Erwin Schulhoff.
“I didn’t hand pick all of them [the songs], the very last one, Hot Sonate, I handpicked that one about a year ago.”
McFarland heard it randomly on YouTube and fell in love with the piece and was excited to play it for his friends and family.
After graduation, in a year and half, McFarland wants to continue playing, whether it is taking jazz lessons or playing in a saxophone quartet, then he wants to start teaching.
A look at the next event
Makenna Mohr is a senior that is graduating next December. She will be performing her senior recital on April 12.
“I’m excited. It’s a good program, and I think it will be fun to play. I don’t enjoy playing in front of people, so I’m a little nervous about that but I think it’ll be fun. I will play for my friends and family and do that,” said Mohr
Mohr started playing the saxophone 13 or 14 years ago. She thought that the band was always cool and wanted to be a part of it.
“You can just tell it’s a really good environment in the community.”
When Mohr graduates in December, she wants to teach band at either the middle school or high school level.
“I’ve met a lot of people, had a lot of really great experiences,” said Mohr.
Mohr is hoping to keep that good environment and help other students have experiences that lead her into teaching.
2025 Event Schedule:
Grant Vance- April 6
Makenna Mohr- April 12, at 1:00 p.m. in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall
Drop of a Hat Players Showcase- April 12, at 3:00 p.m. at the Studio Theatre
Honors Recital- April 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hugo Young Theatre
Spring AU Band Concert- April 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hugo Young Theatre
Spring Community Band Concert- April 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hugo Young Theatre
Spring Choral Concert- April 27, at 4:00 p.m. at the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel
For more information about these upcoming events check out Engage Ashland.
