Student Credits Performance Opportunities, Faculty for Musical Success

Damaris Schmucker wins Trophy at Winnipeg Music Festival

One of the things Damaris Schmucker likes about her music studies at CMU are the many opportunities she gets to perform.

Damaris Schmucker

“I learned so much each time—how to put on a satisfactory performance, but also how not to let little problems and mistakes shake me,” says the flute major. “It has given me lots of chances to develop as a musician.”

All those performance opportunities seem to have paid off; in March Schmucker won the Long & McQuade Trophy for the most outstanding grade 10 woodwind and brass performance at the annual Winnipeg Music Festival. Her accompanist was CMU student Sarah Quartel.

“I was very happy to win the trophy, but I actually viewed the festival as preparation for my grad recital,” she says. “I entered the festival just for the experience, and for the learning opportunities provided by an adjudicator.”

Along with the opportunities to perform, Schmucker also credits the CMU music faculty for her success.

“I really like how accessible and encouraging the faculty are,” she says, adding that she also appreciated the smaller class sizes and the excellent practice facilities.

“Damaris is a fine example of the kind of student we want to see graduate from CMU,” says Assistant Professor of Music Janet Brenneman. “She is an accomplished musician and academic.”

Schmucker, a member of Winnipeg’s Douglas Mennonite Church, will graduate with her Bachelor of Music in April. She plans to go on to further studies to become a music teacher.

Posted March 25, 2008. Revised March 27, 2008.

For more information contact the CMU Communications Director, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3P 2N2, telephone: 204-487-3300 ext. 630, fax: 204-889-1694,(www.cmu.ca)