Senior Recital: Justin Whitcomb and Rebekah Dekkenga

Where: Zbornik Hall, University of Sioux Falls
When: Sunday, 14 November 2004, 2:00 PM
Reception following recital

ABOUT THE RECITAL:
As a music education major at USF, I am required to perform a half-hour of prepared music of various styles and periods on my primary instrument, which is the tenor saxophone.  In May 2004 I reserved Z-Hall and set a time.  I expected to play for an entire hour since I could not find anyone else to split the recital with me, so I began preparing music for both solo saxophone and for the campus jazz combo, the Three Wise Men Quartet.  In August 2004, Rebekah Dekkenga, a piano performance major, asked if she could split the recital with me.  I agreed gladly to abandon another half-hour of me on stage sweating, and we began to plan the program.  In September, I selected the pieces I would perform, and by October Rebekah and I set the program order and worked on our program notes.  On November 1 we went through the preliminary recital in front of the music department staff to demonstrate our pieces.  By the next week, our program notes had been written, and our recital was ready to go.

This recital was a great effort for both of us, demonstrating a culmination in our abilities on our instruments up to that point in time.  My four years of preparation led me to this event, and I am excited about its completion in the form of a performance for my family, friends, and colleagues.  I am proud of the selections, and the recording turned out beautifully (thanks to Chris Uthe).  Thanks to all my professors, friends, and family for the support and encouragement to bring me to my senior year and my final project.  I have come a long way because of these people, and I am blessed to have them with me in this event.

Here is the basic program for the recital:

Prelude and Fugue in B-Flat Major (J.S. Bach)--Rebekah Dekkenga
Concerto in G Minor (David Bennett)--Justin Whitcomb
Romance No. 1 (Op. 94) (R. Schumann)--Justin Whitcomb
Sonata in D (H. 24) (F.J. Haydn)--Rebekah Dekkenga
Sarabande (C. Debussy)--Justin Whitcomb
Rhapsody in G (J. Brahms)--Rebekah Dekkenga
Menuetto and Presto (F.J. Haydn)--Justin Whitcomb
Sicilienne and Gigue (G.F. Handel)--Justin Whitcomb
Prelude for Left Hand Alone (A. Scryaben)--Rebekah Dekkenga
Prelude in C-Sharp Minor (S. Rachmoninov)--Rebekah Dekkenga
Impressions (J. Coltrane)--Three Wise Men Quartet
Afternoon in Paris (J. Lewis)--Three Wise Men Quartet