Hymns of Thanksgiving 2011
Soloists
Del Parkinson, piano, began studying piano at age five in his hometown of Blackfoot, Idaho. He now holds a doctor of music degree from Indiana University and a postgraduate diploma from The Julliard School. He was the recipient of a Fulbright-Hays grant for graduate study in London.
He was coordinator of piano instruction at Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he taught for eight years, and is now professor of piano at Boise State University, where he joined the faculty in 1985.
His London debut recital was on the American Bicentennial Series, and his New York debut recital in Carnegie Recital Hall was sponsored by the Idaho Commission on the Arts. He has performed with the Guadalajara Symphony, the Indiana University Symphony, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Utah Symphony, and the Boise Philharmonic.
He is featured on seven compact disc recordings: The American Piano Quartet, Celebrating Gershwin, Mendelssohn Two-Piano Concerto, Rachmaninoff Duo Piano, A Celebration of French Piano Music, A Celebration of Spanish Piano Music, and A Celebration of Russian Piano Music.
He is the recipient of the Boise State University Foundation Scholar Award for Research and Creative Activity, the Boise Mayor’s Award for Artistic Excellence, the Morrison Center Honor Medallion, the Idaho Commission of the Arts Career Fellowship Award, and Idaho Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Probably one of the most honored and beloved musicians in all Idaho, this will be the ninth appearance of Dr. Parkinson as a guest soloist for Hymns of Thanksgiving.
Dennis Keck, trumpet, obtained a B.A. in Music with a K-12 Music Certification and an Elementary Education Certification. He has taught private studio lessons to hundreds of students in the Treasure Valley. He has directed middle school and high schools bands in Boise, and has held positions of adjunct faculty at College of Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University.
Dennis played in the trumpet section of the Boise Philharmonic from 1989-2007. His experience also includes twenty years with military bands, including the 42nd Army Band and the 25th Army Band, where he held the position of Commander, directing the jazz combos, stage, marching, and concert bands.
He has performed with numerous groups and individuals, including Wayne Newton, Debi Reynolds, Jim Neighbors, Gene Harris, Ray Charles, Chuck Mangione, Dave Brubeck, Kenny Rogers, Moody Blues, The Kings of Swing, Manhattan Transfer, Luciano Pavarotti, Mannheim Steamroller and The Temptations. He has also performed in many popular national traveling shows, including “Wicked,” “Showboat,” and “Chicago.”
Dennis is currently the band director at West Middle School in Nampa.
Hymns of Thanksgiving String Octet
Susan Courtial, Violin, obtained a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from San Francisco State University, and her Master’s in Education from BSU. She has performed with Josh Groban, Moody Blues and many orchestras in the Bay area. She teaches in the Boise Public Schools and has a private teaching studio.
Jonelle Darrow, Violin, earned a Bachelor of Music from BSU under Craig Purdy and has taught music in the Boise, Meridian, and Nampa School Districts. In addition to her own private violin studio focusing on early childhood through pre-collegiate level instruction, Jonelle performs with Boise Baroque and Sequoia String Quartet.
Laura Owens, Violin, obtained her Music Education degree from the University of Idaho, and has performed with several orchestras in Idaho and Oregon. She has taught in the Idaho Suzuki Institute for the past 35 years, as well as serving as a board member. Currently Laura plays violin with Boise Baroque where she is also the Personnel Manager.
Savanna Seaman, Violin, received her Bachelor of Musical Arts with an emphasis in String Pedagogy from BYU-Idaho and a Masters in Music String Performance from BSU. She has performed in symphony orchestras throughout Idaho. She has taught violin at Arts West Academy in Eagle, and now has a large private studio of violin students.
Stacia Hopkins, Viola, graduated from Timberline High School in Boise, and then pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music, with viola emphasis, from BYU-Idaho. Stacia teaches private string and piano lessons and is an internet marketing consultant assisting business owners to build an online presence.
Karen Pfleger, Viola, grew up singing and playing music with her family and in the Boise schools. She has performed in numerous productions in the Treasure Valley, both on the stage and in the orchestra pit. She currently sings with the Whitney Women’s Chorale, and this will be her ninth year as a violist in the Hymns of Thanksgiving Orchestra.
Lacey Holzbauer, Cello, was born and raised in Boise and graduated from Borah High School. She obtained an Associate’s Degree from Ricks College in Music, concentrating on secondary music education. She continued her music training and education at Albertsons College of Idaho. She currently has a private studio, teaching both piano and cello.
Aaron King, Cello, played in the cello section of the Boise Philharmonic prior to moving to Oregon in 2007, where he was on the sub-list of the Oregon Symphony in Portland. Aaron currently has a private cello studio in Boise, and plays with the Celebration Quartet.