On April 13, the Music Program at Eastern Connecticut State University presented an alumni concert in Eastern’s new Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC). The concert featured Eastern music alumni, showcasing piano, guitar, brass, voice and percussion compositions. Former members of the Eastern Chamber Singers and the Eastern Percussion Ensemble also performed.

“Alex Smith, Mindy DeDominicis and Renae St. John were all students of mine and I am so grateful to have invited them back to perform in the space that they deserved when they students at Eastern,” said Emily Riggs, professor of music.

The concert opened with Smith performing “Virginia Tate” by Paul Smadback and “This One Day” by Josh Gottry on the marimba with Jeff Calissi, professor of music, on the vibraphone. Smith received a B.A. in Music with a concentration in Performance at Eastern, going on to receive a Master of Music at the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music. “Watching Alex perform solo and with her on a duet was quite a thrill, especially seeing the musical growth that has occurred since her graduation in 2012,” said Calissi.

“Getting to come back to perform at the new Fine Arts Instructional Center is a huge honor,” said Smith. “Eastern, and the percussion studio is where it all began, showing me that I have a future in music. Now I get to come back and show my professors and the community how much I’ve grown with the help of my most important mentors.”

Smith also performed “Triplets” by George Hamilton Green alongside current Eastern Percussion Ensemble members. “Alex rehearsing and later performing with current Eastern percussion students was notably gratifying to observe as a professor,” said Calissi. “Seeing the student become a teacher was a particular highlight for me.”