For more than 60 years, Millikin University's Vespers has signaled the start of the holiday season in central Illinois. With just over 6,500 attendees each year, Vespers is one of Millikin's most popular events, and the heartfelt mix of carols, choirs and candlelight has become a much-beloved tradition celebrating the community's creativity and good cheer.
When Ashten Smith, a senior music major, prepared to return to campus for school this fall, she and her flutist colleagues were faced with a problem regarding their rehearsals and performances: How were they going to play their flutes while wearing masks?
Unlike other musical instruments, flutes are played from the side, and the sound comes from the mouthpiece area.
Millikin University's 2020 Vespers celebration has been canceled due to the restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
In light of these changes, Millikin University will be celebrating the holiday season with a livestream event this December featuring video footage from past Vespers concerts, and a special virtual appearance from this year's Millikin choirs.
"Millikin University's School of Music is a vibrant program with students who are energized and have a hunger for a career in music."
Music has always found a home in Chicago and 2020 is the year of Chicago music. It's also the 35th year for the nonprofit organization Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC). The organization is committed to bringing its business know-how to help support the next generation of creative entrepreneurs in an effort to help recover and rebuild the creative economy and ensure that the beat goes on.
Music City, better known as Nashville, Tenn., is where rising Millikin University senior Aly Gabriel is spending her time this summer. The Edwardsville, Ill., native is fulfilling a goal of hers as she is getting a glimpse into the heart of the music industry.
Leon Lewis-Nicol's story is one of dedication. A native of Freetown, Sierra Leone, the West African native taught himself the piano for 10 years before moving to the United States in 2016 – an accomplishment he's very proud of because "it shows that nothing is impossible regardless of one's background," he says.
The Millikin University School of Music Preparatory Department has announced a series of online programs for students who want to learn more about music and music making with guidance from experienced teachers and musicians. Programs will all be delivered through Zoom video conferencing software and Google Classroom. Millikin's 2020 online summer music camps will be held June 29 – July 31.