McNeese Presents Faculty Recital

The McNeese State University W.A. and Dorothy Hanna Department of Performing Arts will present a free faculty recital by assistant professor of music Dr. Benjamin Cold, on saxophone and clarinet, with associate professor of music Dr. Lina Morito, on piano, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, in Ralph Squires Recital Hall. Assistant professor of music Dr. Jacquelyn Lankford will assist on trumpet.

The performance will feature “Earthshaker” by Christopher Scinto, “Fuzzy Bird Sonata” by Takashi Yoshimatsu, “Blues” from “An American in Paris” by George Gershwin and arranged by Michele Mangani and “Concerto for Saxophone and Trumpet” by Jean Rivier.

Cold received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, his Master of Music degree from Kansas State University and his Doctor of Musical Arts in saxophone performance and pedagogy at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. As a passionate advocate of new music, he has been involved in the commissions and premieres of dozens of compositions for solo and chamber saxophone and his work has been performed and recorded on Classical Minnesota Public Radio, National Public Radio and The Skeptics Guide to the Universe. He has held residencies, taught master classes and given guest recitals and performances across the United States.

Morita received a bachelor’s degree in music from Indiana University, a Master of Music degree from Rice University and her Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music. She has performed as a concerto soloist throughout the world and in New York City’s Carnegie Hall and has collaborated with renowned musicians on flute and cello. She has also performed recitals and taught master classes at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Lankford earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from New Mexico State University, her master’s degree in trumpet performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music and her doctorate in trumpet performance with a related field in music education from the University of North Texas. She serves as acting principal and second trumpet with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra and third trumpet in the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra. At McNeese, she is the creator and founder of the Women Composing for Trumpet Competition, which was made possible by her award of the Juliet Hardtner Women in Arts and Humanities Professorship in 2019.

Persons needing accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator at 337-475-5428, voice; 337-475-5960, fax; 337-562-4227, TDD/TTY, hearing impaired; or by email at cdo@mcneese.edu.