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Tenor Dr. John Bragle solos in Music on Mondays Series

This semester, tenor Dr. John Bragle starred as the featured artist in ����ԭ��’s Music on Mondays concert series. Accompanied by pianist Dr. Ya-Ju Chuang, Bragle presented two concerts: one at 6 PM for families with young children and another at 7 PM for the Watertown area community. 

Family Concert 

The first concert focused on creating an enjoyable musical experience for young children and families. Bragle performed a collection of works about animals including works by Samuel Barber and Aaron Copland, followed by a few audience favorites. Two of Bragle’s associates, Dr. Ya-Ju Chuang and Dr. Wenlin Cheng, performed select works from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. The diverse program was a great experience for both young and experienced listeners. 

Faculty member Andrew Bonnema attended this concert with his young children and commented, “We particularly enjoyed the performance of “Goodnight Moon” because it is one of our children’s favorite books to read and also one of their favorite songs. Dr. Bragle’s rendition was really wonderful.” 

Bragle’s playful attitude enthralled the kids and provided them with an opportunity to expand their musical experiences through this creative performance. A few of the engaging activities included allowing the young audience to march around the room, move like swans, and sing a phrase in a piece. Two young students who attended the concert especially enjoyed the songs based on children’s books, as well as singing “fiddle-la-fee” in Copland’s “I Bought Me a Cat.”

Community Concert

Including repertoire by romantic, contemporary, and modern composers, the 7 PM concert was a musically rich performance for all in attendance. Bragle and Chuang took the listeners on a musical journey through sorrow, love of poetry, reflection, love, and finally, joy. By providing commentary and context during the concert, Dr. Bragle made the pieces come alive to his audience. Abigail Boorujy, a music student at MBU, said, “Dr. Bragle engaged his audience and helped us enjoy the music… It was so much fun!”

Professional concerts provide musicians and non-musicians an opportunity to grow musically. Each performer has a unique perspective that they bring to the chosen repertoire. Boorujy comments, “It is so valuable to attend concerts because it exposes us to new music and new interpretations of music.” 

About the Musicians 

Bragle earned a B.A. in Music Education and an M.A. in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University. In 2021, he earned his doctoral degree in Music Education from Boston University. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he serves as the Senior Director of Education at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. 

A Taiwan native, Chuang earned a D.M.A. in Piano Performance and M.M. in Piano Pedagogy from Michigan State University. In addition, she earned an M.M. in Piano Performance from Kent State University and a B.M. in Piano Performance from the University of Taipei. Chuang is a pedagogue and music educator. Alongside teaching, she regularly performs as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist. Currently, Chuang is a Collaborative Pianist at Interlochen Arts Academy and Camp. 

Wenlin Cheng earned a D.M.A. in Piano Performance from Michigan State University. Cheng is a committed pedagogue who wants to instill in her students a love of music by teaching a variety of genres. Today she teaches through The Royal Conservatory of Music from her home in Wisconsin.

To learn more about ����ԭ��’s Music on Mondays Concert Series, go to /monday/. In addition to learning about upcoming concerts, you can also find information on advertising your business through concert sponsorship.