SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel University Orchestra will present its spring concert on Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Spence Chapel Auditorium, featuring senior violin performance major Luke Thomas.
The concert is free and open to the public.
The Evangel University Orchestra is under the direction of Dr. Larry Dissmore, who is completing his 29th year on the Evangel faculty. The orchestra is comprised this year of 44 student musicians pursuing majors in music, as well as a variety of other fields available at the University.
Thomas will be featured on the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor.
In addition, the University Orchestra will play Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute, Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite, and an arrangement of music from Les Miserables by Bob Lowden.
Extensive experience
A native of Waynesville, Mo., Luke Thomas grew up in the Springfield area and is a graduate of Republic High School. During high school, he was a member of the Springfield Youth Symphony and was also selected for the 2012 Missouri All-State Orchestra. Past teachers have included Svetla Kalcheva, Allison Steiner, and Dr. David Hays.
At Evangel University, Thomas has studied violin with Dr. Larry Dissmore and has been an active member of the University Orchestra, the Chorale, Heartsong and Sinfonia.
This past January, Thomas was also selected for the Missouri All-Collegiate Orchestra and served as its concertmaster.
Through various tours with Evangel University ensembles, he has had the opportunity to travel through much of the United States, Italy, Canada, and Jamaica. This past summer he also traveled to Israel as part of a worship team.
Following graduation in December 2017, Luke plans to pursue a master’s degree in commercial music composition and violin performance.
Department of Music
The Department of Music at Evangel University offers majors in music, music education, music performance, music business/technology and worship leadership. Each program is carefully designed to ensure that students build strong musical skills, gain professional training and experience a wide range of musical activities.
The department has been accredited with the National Association of Schools of Music since 1970.
For more information, contact the department at (417) 865-2811, ext. 7212.
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