On February 19th, middle and high school clarinet students will have the opportunity to visit campus and engage in masterclasses, breakout sessions, workshops, and even play in an ensemble format with high level instructors represented by the Lee University School of Music. Students will rehearse, workshop music, perform in masterclass contexts for instructors beginning at 8:30am and learn through the afternoon and into the evening until their culminating Clarinet Choir performance and an opportunity to attend a faculty recital at the end of the day. This inaugural year of Lee University Clarinet Day is coordinated by Dr. Amy Humberd, instructor of clarinet at Lee University.

Early bird registration for students is $15 and late registration is $20. The registration price includes lunch and a t-shirt. Students may register HERE. For additional help registering or for further questions, contact Amy Humberd at ahumberd@leeuniversity.edu.

To receive further updates on the Lee University Clarinet Studio, follow the studio page on Facebook @leeuclarinet.

#leeusom #musicwithpurpose

Each month, the Lee University School of Music highlights a faculty member, student, or alumni on social media platforms to feature exciting aspects of their professional and academic lives as well as their lives as musicians both now and moving forward. This month, the School of Music is proud to host Dr. Muen Vanessa Wei, piano, for the February Q&A! Read below for the full transcript.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself: where you’re from, your educational background, musical experience, etc.

I’m from a small island, Gulangyu, off the coast of southeastern China. The island is named “the island of piano” for its classical music culture brought by the Christian missionaries in the early 1900s. I started playing the piano when I was 4. At age 15, I moved to Beijing to study at the China Conservatory. I got my Masters degree from Cleveland Institute of Music and later my doctorate degree from University of Illinois.

Q: How did you hear about Lee University, and what do you teach in the School of Music?

I saw Lee University’s job opening at the higher Ed recruitment website. I teach piano lessons to all piano major students and coach chamber music groups.

Q: Tell us all about your work in the piano studio and your performance with the Lee Trio! How does your work with each differ and what makes the experiences unique to each other?

When my students come to my studio for a lesson, they perform for me and I give my comments based on their performance. I am more like a musical doctor and make a diagnosis about what they did well and what might not work so well. With the Lee Trio we meet twice every week for rehearsals. We play some standard trio repertoires as well as exploring new trio repertoires. It’s a great collaboration and I enjoy making music with my friends Xiaoqing and Theodore.

Q: How do you think teaching students impacts your musicianship as a performer?

I think when I am teaching them, they teach me as well. When I teach, I am able to stand back and listen more. I also need to explain the music and make the students understand. All those aspects benefit me greatly as a performer.

Q: Do you have any advice to pass along to music students?

Techniques are just a vehicle to make music. Don’t get obsessed with the technique and forget the music. 

Q: Any favorite memories of your music career?

My favorite moments are always when I make music with great musicians.

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Keep an eye out for Dr. Wei’s words on her life as a musician on our social media platforms throughout the month of February! You can follow us via the following handles:

Instagram: @LeeUMusic

Facebook: @LeeUSOM

Twitter: @LeeUSOM

Be sure to use our hashtags! #leeusom #musicwithpurpose

The greater Cleveland community anticipates the Lee University School of Music’s annual Lessons & Carols Advent service presented by the Lee University Chorale and the School of Religion on December 7, 2021 at 7:30pm. This is the first year in two years that the university has been able to present this event due to complications caused by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. School of Music students and faculty will lead guests in hymns and songs, and School of Religion faculty will read lessons and passages from the Bible over the course of the evening. Students, faculty, and community members alike are grateful for the chance to come together again after time apart to celebrate the season in song, scripture reading, and reflection. Lessons & Carols is held in the Stone Chapel on Lee campus and is free of charge, non-ticketed, and open to the public. For those wishing to live stream the event, streaming services are available at leeu.live. For more information, call the main Lee University School of Music office at 423.614.8240. or email musicinfo@leeuniversity.edu.

Students and faculty are gearing up for final exams and end-of-semester concerts on Lee University campus, but the season of Advent is only beginning. During the month of December, St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Cleveland will offer their Bach Lunch Concert Series featuring Lee University School of Music faculty and alumni as they lead the community in celebrating the joy of Advent with music. Spend your lunch break celebrating Advent on December 1st, 8th, and 15th at 12:00pm in-person or online at St. Luke’s with the following world-class musicians:

Wednesday, December 1, 12:00pm
Dr. Brian Reichenbach, trumpet, Dr. Joohae Kim, piano

Wednesday, December 8, 12:00pm
Christmas Music for Guitar and Cello: Charlie Edholm & Kristiana McCombs Arnwine

Wednesday December 15, 12:00pm
Unfiltered Duo: Amy Humberd, clarinet, Paul Hayes, percussion

Light refreshments will be offered after each concert in the Parish Hall. Don’t miss out on these beautiful celebrations of the season!