A degree recital by Scott Fikse, MM Choral Conducting, "Begin Again," with the University of Washington Recital Choir; Graduate Cohort Ensemble; Distler 8 Octet; Dr. Stephen Price, organ; Jared Parson, harp; and members of the UW Baroque Ensemble.
Program Note
Inspired by my experiences with mindfulness meditation and several years as a singer for the annual Shinnyo-En Buddhist lantern floating ceremony in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, I have shaped a program that explores one of the central precepts of meditation; to begin again. Mindfulness meditation teaches that we can begin again without judgment. When we forgive someone, we begin again. When we experience major life events or changes, we often need to begin again. If we fall short, we can choose to restart or pivot. There are also theological and spiritual new beginnings dealing with resurrection, enlightenment, and rebirth. This program explores many of these ideas, and is also a personal expression filled with symbolism and narrative. We invite you to silence your phones, take a deep breath, and enjoy the powerful music these ensembles have thoughtfully prepared.
Biography
Scott Fikse is a multi-genre performer and director with a passion for teaching. He is currently pursuing a DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Washington and serves as a graduate teaching assistant for the School of Music in music history, conducting, and choral methods, as well as an instructor of record for the Program for Writing Across Campus (PWAC) where he teaches Writing in the Humanities. He serves as the assistant conductor of the University of Washington Chorale, Recital Choir, and the Graduate Cohort Ensemble.
Locally, Scott serves as the conductor in residence for the Northwest Edvard Grieg Society and as the choirmaster at All Pilgrims Christian Church. He is also a guest lecturer, with appearances at Seattle Symphony, Early Music Hawai‘i, Midsummer Musical Retreat, Seattle University, and others, and is a regular contributor to the American Choral Directors Association monthly Choral Journal magazine. An active bass-baritone, Scott sings as a choral scholar with the Compline Choir, in the professional vocal ensemble Nothing Gold, and as a guest choral scholar with some of Seattle’s most respected liturgical ensembles. He has also performed numerous roles on the musical theater stage, in vocal jazz ensembles, and in competitions with the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Scott moved to Seattle from Honolulu in 2022, where he directed the music program at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu and created the church’s popular “First Mondays” and “Jazz Journey” concert series. Under his direction the LCH choirs prepared over 200 works each year, ranging from chant, Renaissance polyphony, and Baroque works to modern masters. He also served as director of the Honolulu Chorale and artistic director of Early Music Hawai‘i, where he continues to serve both as artistic director and board member. Scott has secured numerous grants to fund projects with both LCH and EMH, and is currently designing a series of masterclasses that will bring world-class soloists and coaches from across the country to work with Honolulu-based performers. He also remains rooted to Hawai‘i through his work with the Shinnyo-En Buddhist community, where he sings as a soloist for the annual Lantern Floating Ceremony each May which welcomes over 40,000 participants a year.
Scott received his Bachelors of Musical Arts from Pacific Lutheran University, his Masters in Choral Conducting from University of Washington, and has a certification in German language from Eurocentres Köln, Germany. A scholar and active writer, his research currently examines topics in Early Music performance practice and development and the evolution and intersections of both early American and Hawaiian choral music.