Maryville College’s graduating music majors Gabe Hatcher and Claire Pinkston showcase hard work through senior recitals

For a music major at Maryville College, hard work with their instrument culminates in a senior recital before graduation. Gabe Hatcher (‘25) and Claire Pinkston (‘25) are both earning their BA degrees in Music; Hatcher’s primary instrument is trombone, and Pinkston’s focus is in voice and piano.

A senior recital is mandatory for Music Education majors, but an optional opportunity for Music majors. Most recitals at MC are vocal, with the last instrumental recital before Hatcher being a year and a half ago, he explained.

Hatcher’s recital was on March 25, and included one piece on the euphonium, and one collaboration with Matthew Hurst (‘26) on trumpet.

“I chose to go for it because it is a rare opportunity,” Hatcher said. “I would have regretted graduating without [doing a senior recital]. I’ve grown as a musician, and it’s fun to [create] an exposition of the progress I’ve made as a musician in the four years I’ve been here.”

Pinkston’s recital on April 22 will utilize both of her instruments – voice and piano, and will borrow repertoire from her entire time at MC, including a variety of styles and languages. When asked about her favorite aspects, she said that she really enjoys performing on stage.

“I like hearing all the people who have supported me along the way, and getting to share that part of myself with them,” said Pinkston. “I’ve worked so hard, and [it’s gratifying to see] that the stress wasn’t for nothing and it got you somewhere.”

Each recital is unique to the student, and they have creative freedom for their performance. However, there is more to a senior recital than just performing. For Pinkston, this included taking a headshot, writing her press release and organizing the program.

“You have a hearing where you perform your recital in front of a panel of professors and they can approve your recital,” Pinkston explained. “Of course you have to learn and memorize all the music, coordinate with your teachers and accompanist and set the dates,” she added.

A senior recital falls between 30 minutes and one hour. Of course, with different instruments this means a different number of pieces.

“I’m doing one vocal set that is four songs and 10 minutes long, and a piano set that is the same length but only two pieces long,” said Pinkston.

Hatcher’s 45 minute recital included six pieces, two of which were multi-movement works, he explained.

“Dr. Swann, my advisor, gave me free range,” said Hatcher. “It was nice that I had a wide variety in length of piece and energy – you want to find a nice middle ground.”

Another aspect when putting on a recital is the necessary preparation with accompanists. Adjunct Choral Accompanist Chase Hatmaker often plays piano for vocal students’ pieces, and Hatcher’s trombone pieces included his accompaniment as well.

“A lot of these pieces had really intricate parts between the instruments and it made it really challenging to line it up,” said Hatcher. “Between everything, we had six rehearsals together if you include both dress [rehearsals] and the hearing itself, which were all full run-throughs of the program.”

For Pinkston, the two sets in her recital will showcase her ability in different instruments. When asked about switching between piano and voice, she said that with practice, it becomes natural.

“It is not super hard to switch [between two instruments], but it requires a change in mindset because different instruments require different sets of technical ability,” Pinkston said. “By the time you get to the recital you have enough experience switching between them that it is more natural. I do both on a regular enough basis that I don’t really think about switching from voice to piano”

“The vast majority [of preparation] is on your own,” said Pinkston. “The closer it gets to recital the more involved your teacher becomes, but how well you perform in your recital is entirely up to you.”

Student’s work closely with their vocal or instrumental coaches when preparing for a recital. For Hatcher, this was with Tom Lundberg, adjunct instructor of music.

When asked about his mentors throughout his four years at MC, Hatcher said: “Tom Lundberg – he’s pretty much a trombone coach; he’s really chill and a really good motivator. He pushed me to discover new things [and] let me arrange a piece my junior year.”

“The entire music faculty at the Clayton Center are super supportive,” Hatcher added. “On a peer to peer basis, Claire Pinkston and Elizabeth Jackson (‘23) [supported me].”

Pinkston echoed the sentiment of gratitude towards her teachers. She worked with Dr. Alicia Massie-Legg, senior lecturer in music, for voice, and Rachel Acuff, adjunct instructor of music for piano.

“It’s so lovely getting to come out the other side [of my education] with the same teachers that I started with, and it’s exciting because they get to see my progress and they can be proud of me and themselves,” said Pinkston.

Pinkstons’ recital will take place at 6 p.m. in the Lambert recital hall in the Clayton Center’s B Building on April 22.