Southern Nazarene University celebrated an evening of musical excellence on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as two talented seniors, Maddy Wilson and Daniel De Lige, took center stage for their senior instrumental recital. The intimate performance, held in Cantrell, showcased the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and artistic growth.
De Lige, a music education major, reflects on the extensive process involved in preparing for his recital. “I went through four to five different set lists to decide what I even wanted to perform. It took me weeks just to settle on the final program,” he explains.
Wilson, a music bachelor of arts major, echoes De Lige’s sentiments. “For instrumentalists, the selection of repertoire is largely at the discretion of the instructor. We need to demonstrate a range of skills, as well as a variety of musical styles,” she notes.
In addition to preparing their music, both performers had to manage numerous logistical details, including finalizing the recital date, coordinating the preview performance, and ensuring all materials for the reception were in place. “The preview is always much scarier than the actual recital,” De Lige admits. Both students had to perform for a committee to ensure their performance was as polished as possible.
When preparing for a recital, both Wilson and De Lige strongly encourage others to choose music they truly love. “You’re practicing and preparing constantly, so it’s easy to burn out on the pieces you select,” Wilson explains. De Lige adds, “There were times when I completely hated the pieces I chose, but there were also moments when I loved them. Sometimes everything falls into place during practice, while other times, nothing works out the way you want it to. If you pick music you love, those struggles become much easier to manage.”
As their recital concluded on April Fools’ Day, Wilson and De Lige decided to add a playful twist for their encore. The duo began with a student playing the piano chorus of “How to Save a Life“ by The Fray, accompanied by a heartfelt speech. Just as the audience settled into the sentimental moment, the mood shifted unexpectedly when they launched into a cover of “Never Gonna Give You Up“ by Rick Astley. The surprise performance caught everyone off guard, sparking laughter and excitement throughout the crowd.
“I felt pure joy performing it,” De Lige says. “Hearing the audience respond with such enthusiasm really kept the energy alive.” Wilson shares this sentiment, saying, “Watching people dance along with the performance, especially since I’m not a vocalist, really helped calm my nerves. The way the audience responded made it such a fun experience and the performance even more memorable for me.”
Once the evening drew to a close, it was clear that both Wilson and De Lige had not only showcased their exceptional musical talents, but also their dedication, creativity, and ability to connect with their audience. Their senior recital was a testament to the years of hard work they have put into honing their craft, and the playful encore added a perfect touch of fun to the evening. With both performers now poised to graduate, their time at Southern Nazarene University will surely leave a lasting impact on the music department and their peers. As they move on to the next chapter of their musical journeys, Wilson and De Lige’s passion and joy for music will certainly continue to shine wherever they go.
Photo by: MaK Wilkerson