“A Celebration of the Sacred with the Secular” is the title of an upcoming recital by Heidelberg’s Dr. Doug McConnell and several members of the School of Music faculty. McConnell, professor of composition and theory and director of music technology and programs, will headline the recital at 7 p.m. Friday (Feb. 3) in Brenneman Music Hall.
The program will feature a variety of new and recent works that appear to be sacred compositions, McConnell explained. But the world of secular music plays an important role in how these works express their spirituality. Selections include “Triptych,” which will feature trombone instructor Joel Shonkwiler and pianist Joan McConnell; “Variations on a Mode” with Doug McConnell on piano; “Selections from ‘Blooming in Eden’” with soprano Carol Dusdieker and pianist Cynthia Ramsdell; and “While I Run this Race” with Ioana Galu on violin and I-Chen Yeh on piano. All of the accompanists are members of the School of Music faculty.
McConnell enjoys an active career as a composer, teacher and administrator. His compositions have been performed throughout the U.S. and internationally, including Canada, England, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Russian.
He has written for a variety of performing mediums and has composed several song cycles, including “Langston’s Lot,” based on the poetry of Langston Hughes. In addition to composing for voice, he also writes for the theatre, including his most extensive composition, titled “Lily,” an opera for children and families based on a short story by Walter Wangerin.
McConnell’s work as a composer and teacher have been honored on a number of occasions. He lives in Tiffin with his wife, Joan. Together, they serve the music ministry program at Trinity United Church of Christ in Tiffin.