Pealer Recital Hall, PAC

Frostburg State University Presents Senior Recital “Thank You for the Music” Featuring Mezzo-Soprano Erica Records

The Frostburg State University Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance proudly presents “Thank You for the Music”, the senior recital of mezzo-soprano Erica Records. The performance will take place on Friday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center. Admission is free and open to the public; also livestreaming, follow the link at www.frostburg.edu/concerts.

Accompanied by Dr. Joseph Yungen on piano, Records will perform a diverse program spanning Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary works, including selections by J.S. Bach, Franz Schubert, Gabriel Fauré, W.A. Mozart, and G.F. Handel. The recital also features Broadway and modern favorites, including Meredith Willson’s “‘Til There Was You” from “The Music Man”, Sara Bareilles’ “Soft Place to Land,” Stephen Schwartz’s “Meadowlark” and “What is this Feeling?” from “Wicked”, and Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”

The program culminates with Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ “Thank You for the Music,” the recital’s title piece, originally recorded by the pop group ABBA in their 1977 album “The Album” and considered a farewell song for the group, reflecting on their musical journey.

Records will be joined by guest artists Jelynna Horsey (soprano) and Bella McConnell (alto), as well as the FSU Altissia Treble Choir under the direction of Dr. Scott Rieker.

A native of Cresaptown, MD, and a 2021 graduate of Allegany High School, Records is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Music this December 2025. She has studied voice under Mr. Michael Welch and previously with Dr. Colin Johnson, Ms. Bixiao Wang, Mr. Gregory Stuart, and Coty Forno. An active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Records has earned recognition on the Dean’s List and participation in the FSU Honors Program.

Erica is grateful for the support of her parents, Sharon and Ken Bennett (Cresaptown, MD), in making this journey not only successful, but fun and rewarding, and making possible her plans to pursue a career as a choral or general music teacher in middle or high school.

Music, Performance, Recital