Angle

Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: Arts and Entertainment

Richard Joseph, tenor [Click to enlarge]

Richard and Sara Joseph [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Justin Wiedeman Reception following performance [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Justin Wiedeman Reception [Click to enlarge]

On Tuesday, October 9, Richard Joseph and Nathan Burggraff performed the first Artist Series concert of the fall semester. Both Joseph and Burggraff are graduates of Clearwater Christian College.

Tenor Richard Joseph, with pianist Nathan Burggraff, performed a musical concert. Several times Joseph also was accompanied by the college orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Philip Golson.

Returning to their college was special for both of them. For Joseph, it was an exciting experience. "I thought it was fun. It's exciting to come back and see some old friends. I think it's great to come back as an encouragement to other students. Even though the school is small, the [music] program is great, and students can go on and be competitive at a state school after finishing undergraduate work."

Burggraff was also excited to come back to CCC, where he studied music. "It's exciting. It's neat to see students here and how the music department's grown since I left. It's great to see new students and faculty. Well, I should say, it's good to see old and new faces, especially students whim whom I went to school. They were freshmen then, and seniors now. It's been great to see how they've grown. There's a sense of pride to be able to come back and be a part of this. It's nice to give back to the school, to be able to come back and show what I've learned since I left. I like being able to share what I've learned with my accompanying degree."

The concert included music from various time periods with something almost everyone could enjoy. The program included music from opera, art songs, sacred songs and a few songs from musicals. Current music students were able to see what they could do with their degree when they graduate.

Joseph and Burggraff did have thoughts they'd like to leave with the students at Clearwater. Joseph stressed how others watch how we act as Christians. "First, at Clearwater, we got a good foundation in the Bible and in our relationship with God. When we graduate and enter a completely secular environment, people ask where we graduated from. They watch us to see if we're different when we say we're from Clearwater Christian College. Also we should keep God first because there are a lot of temptations and distractions when we enter the secular world. We need to work hard. If we work hard, we'll be able to go further. Additionally, it is important to work hard because people are watching us. They see the difference in how we work."

Burggraff said he had enjoyed the size of the college and being able to participate in many ways. "Now, being out of college and looking back, I would advise students to take advantage of the opportunities they have. In a college as small as CCC, students can become involved in so many ways, like accompanying or playing in the orchestra. When you leave this small college environment, you might not have those opportunities anymore."

Burggraff believes that involvement is important. He encourages current students to get involved. "Take advantage of the faculty and utilize their knowledge."

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