Senior recitals are underway at SEMO’s Department of Music. These recitals are an important milestone for graduates, marking their progress and showing people what they have to offer to the musical field. Based on SEMO’s music handbook, a senior recital is a public recital performance featuring a collection of prepared pieces for a chosen instrument or voice of 45-60 minutes in length.
Starting off this semester’s performances was student Eli Pippin on the horn. Pippin’s senior recital took place in Shuck Music Recital Hall on Feb. 7 at 3 pm.
His work learning and practicing music techniques through the years has led him to this performance.
“I think it’s just very representative of a lot of work and man-hours that have gone into it,” Pippin said, “and just to slowly see things come off my plate as I get closer to graduating, and the skills that I built along the way.”
In preparation, three pieces were chosen. The pieces prepared for this performance were Mozart’s third horn Concerto in E flat, Canciones by Paul Basler and Intrada by Otto Ketting, senior Eli Pippin said.
Intrada was the hardest piece to prepare due to its being an unaccompanied piece.
“I can’t hide behind a piano part. I just have to be good,” Pippin said.
Student Dyllan Day, who has known Eli for around five years, spoke on Eli’s musical knowledge. Dyllan said his skills in piano, singing, and horn have built on each other, making Eli a better horn player overall.
“Especially his vocal training I think helps with horn a lot, and has made him a better horn player, just like that alone, which is really, really cool to see.”
Pippin reflected on the experiences leading to his recital, saying that he learned the ins and outs of the horn, getting the horn to work for him instead of against him.
“It’s essentially how you show people that you’re qualified within the musical profession,” said Pippin.
Senior recitals will continue to be held through SEMO’s 2026 spring semester in Shuck Music Recital Hall.