Ball State University's music label, though still in its infancy, has already released three CDs and has two more on the way, Robert Kvam, dean of the College of Fine Arts, said.
Beneficence Recordings was created about two and a half years ago by the College of Fine Arts to promote the college and Ball State, recruit students and showcase faculty and student talent, Kvam said.
The School of Music and the College of Fine Arts oversee the music label, he said.
"We've pretty much [paid for the music label] with our own budget," he said. "We do have a recording engineer and we have a new hall, Sursa Hall and equipment, like microphones, and we have the expertise to [record albums]."
In addition, the College of Fine Arts recently purchased a CD and DVD duplication machine, Kvam said.
Future projects include a fourth CD, which is in production, with music performed by the Ball State Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band and possibly the Ball State Woodwind Quintet, Kvam said.
"We've done recording with the Wind Ensemble and the Jazz Band," he said. "We're looking at recording the Woodwind Quintet [in the future]."
Kvam said the music label is anticipating producing a fifth CD featuring the music of associate professor of music Ray Kilburn, a pianist, this spring.
"[Beneficence Recordings] enhances the image of the School of Music," Koriath said. "[The university] has a lot of impressive performers that weren't always identified in such a high profile way [as releasing their own CD]."
Professors of music Robert Palmer and Elizabeth Richter and associate professor of cello Mihai Tetel recorded the first three CDs Beneficence Recordings released, Kristi Koriath, associate director for programs in the Office for Academic Research, said.
According to Ball State's Web site, cellist Tetel and pianist Palmer collaborated on the CD "La Gitana," which means "The Gypsy" and features songs by composers such as Brahms, Hadyn and Debussy. Tetel and Palmer are award-winning musicians who have played for audiences all over the world.
Palmer also recorded a second CD, "The Romantic Spirit," for the music label. The compilation boasts works by Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin and other composers from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Harpist Richter's CD, "Looking Glass River," is a collection of solo music for the harp. Richter was the principal harpist for the Kansas City Philharmonic and the Kansas City Lyrics Opera. She has played recitals in the United States and Europe.
Producing a CD is almost as inexpensive as creating a color brochure, but, when attempting to understand what Ball State faculty members are all about, a CD goes much further, Kvam said. Many students own their professors' CDs and some CDs are given to prospective students during the recruiting process, he said.
Check it outThe CDs can be purchased at bsu.edu/research/benerecordings
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
