ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University is proud to announce the CD Release Celebration Recital of the Virinca Trio, featuring esteemed faculty members Dr. Darci Bultema, professor of music, voice, and opera, and Dr. Audrey Miller, associate professor of music and director of bands and clarinet. This exciting event will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Krikac Auditorium on the Northern State University campus. The recital will kick off the trio’s North Dakota tour, with performances scheduled at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota; North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota; and Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota. An East Coast tour is planned for fall 2024.
“The often-neglected voices of women composers and men and women of color are championed by our ensemble,” said Bultema. “Songs and texts by these individuals, unfortunately, remain relatively obscure in the field.” The Virinca Trio’s additions to the chamber music repertoire have greatly enhanced performers’ access to works that represent a broader range of performers and audience members.
Based in South Dakota, the Virinca Trio is dedicated to commissioning and performing works by American composers, with a special focus on rare and underrepresented compositions. The trio’s mission is to champion underserved communities and expand the musical landscape by making their repertoire accessible to both students and professionals. In recent years, the Virinca Trio has commissioned 20 songs by four esteemed composers, reflecting their ongoing commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
The trio’s name, "Virinca," is derived from Esperanto and Sanskrit, loosely translating to "the creator and all of his or her followers." This name symbolizes the trio's dedication to nurturing a diverse and expansive creative community.
The Virinca Trio’s newly released CD, which showcases their exceptional repertoire of commissioned works, is available on most major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and YouTube. This accessibility ensures that both students and professionals, as well as diverse audiences worldwide, can experience and appreciate the unique contributions of underrepresented voices in the chamber music repertoire.
About the Virinca Trio
The Virinca Trio features soprano Dr. Darci Bultema, clarinetist Dr. Audrey Miller, and pianist Dr. Philip Everingham. Bultema and Miller are distinguished members of the music faculty at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., where they have inspired and mentored countless students. Everingham, director of music at First Presbyterian Church in Granville, Ohio, brings his extensive experience in collaborative piano and music direction to the ensemble.
Bultema, who has served on the NSU music faculty since 2007, is praised for her "luscious legato line" and "sumptuous crescendos." Her versatility in opera and art song has led to collaborations with Everingham since the early 2000s. A highlight of their partnership was their participation in the Barcelona Festival of Song in Spain in 2024 and 2018, where they performed art songs from Latin America. Both Bultema and Everingham serve as ambassadors for the festival.
Miller, associate professor of music and clarinetist at NSU, is recognized for her international and regional performances across Belgium, Germany, and the United States. As a D’Addario Woodwind and Conn-Selmer artist/clinician, Miller is known for her enthusiasm and brilliance as an educator and performer, creating an unparalleled connection between students and their instruments.
The Virinca Trio has made a significant impact on the music community through its commissioned works and performances, including premieres at the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest and presentations at the 2022 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) National Conference. Notable premieres include Inside My Ribcage(2022) by Jocelyn Hagen, Poppies in the Graveyard (2021) by Jonathan Bailey Holland, and Life on the Edge (2019) by Richard Pearson Thomas. These works have received critical acclaim and solidified the ensemble’s reputation as pioneers in contemporary American music.
The upcoming recital at Northern State University is free and open to the public, providing a unique opportunity to experience the innovative and dynamic repertoire of the Virinca Trio. Audiences can expect an inspiring afternoon of performances that celebrate the diversity of American contemporary music and the power of collaboration and creativity.
