October 15, 2014
Wagner, Simmons to give emeritus faculty lecture
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Two longtime faculty members in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Music will discuss and perform examples of the musical interplay between a singer and pianist this month.
Jeanine Wagner and Margaret R. Simmons, professor emeriti, will present “It Takes Two” at the 2014 Emeritus Faculty Lecture at 7:15 p.m., Oct. 28, in the Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall. They will also discuss the roles of a singer and pianist in a performance situation.
Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend. Wagner and Simmons have a long history of performing together, having toured extensively in the United States and Europe. They have more than 35 years of performing and giving master classes together and nearly 70 combined years of teaching at the university level.
Wagner served on the voice faculty from 1984 to 2013 and as director of the School of Music from 2007 to 2013. Her voice students have received recognition in the United States and abroad as soloists on operatic, musical theater and concert stages. A noted performer, Wagner’s honors include winning the 1994 St. Louis Artist Presentation Society Award and the 1992 Mu Phi Epsilon Competition, in addition to selection as an international finalist in the Luciano Pavarotti Competition and regional winner in Metropolitan Opera auditions.
Simmons, who retired in 2007, was the vocal coach and coordinator of the School of Music’s vocal area. She was associated with the Marjorie Lawrence Opera Theater and McLeod Summer Playhouse for more than 30 years and has credits as musical director, coach and performer. She has toured nationally and internationally and earned acclaim as a recitalist with numerous professional singers.
The SIUC Annuitants Association is sponsoring the lecture.