Date of Defense
12-2-2025
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Department
Music
First Advisor
David Mercedes
Second Advisor
Kenneth Smith
Abstract
As a culmination of three and a half years of study in the Irving S. Gilmore School of music, I, Emmett Deur, have put together a senior recital, performing a variety of works on the euphonium. My studies have included experiences within some of Western Michigan University’s top ensembles, including the Western Michigan University Wind Symphony, the University Symphony Orchestra, and the Western Brass Quintet’s Brass for the Holidays Ensemble. In addition to these ensemble experiences, my studies included regular one-on-one applied lessons with applied Tuba/Euphonium faculty members. With a year of lessons with former Tuba/Euphonium instructor, Professor Chance Trottman-Huiet, and two and a half years with current Tuba/Euphonium instructor Professor David E. Mercedes, I have developed immensely in my skills. In addition to the practical skills I have grown in, I have been exposed to a wide range of repertoire, both specifically composed for euphonium as well as for other instruments.
As a display of what I have learned, I put together a recital which was presented to an audience of faculty, fellow students, as well as family and friends. The program was just over 50 minutes in length and consisted of the works of four composers. Composers featured on this recital included Wisuwat Pruksavanich, Florence Price, Daniela Candillari, and Roger Kellaway. Repertoire was chosen based on its artistic merit, variety of style, and cohesion within the broader program. While each piece was considered on its own, as the program began to take shape, a clear theme of the progression of time started to appear. The opener, Cha La Wan in the Wonderland by Pruksavanich, symbolizes a balance of the past and present with elements of traditional Thai music and modern Western music. The second piece, a collection of works by Florence Price, follows a more direct passage of time. This collection of songs begins with “Dawn’s Awakening,” continues with “Sunset,” and concludes with “We Have Tomorrow.” Following a brief intermission, the program continues with Extremely Close by Daniella Candillari. Based on the novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, the piece addresses loss, grief, reconciliation, and healing over time. The recital ends on a more optimistic note with The Morning Song by Roger Kellaway. This piece works both as an up tempo conclusion to the recital, as well as a sign of hope following the much more somber work by Candillari.
The recital was originally performed on December 2, 2025 in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. It was also live streamed to the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music YouTube channel. As of the publishing of this Thesis, that original stream is still available on the same YouTube page.
Recommended Citation
Deur, Emmett, "Emmett Deur - Senior Recital" (2025). Honors Theses. 4081.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/4081
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Recital